One-pot sequential cascade reaction for selective gluconic acid production from cellulose photobiorefining

We demonstrate the feasibility of cellulose photobiocatalytic conversion with >75% cellulose conversion and >75% gluconic acid selectivity from converted glucose. This process is realized via a one-pot sequential cascade reaction by cellulase enzymes and a carbon nitride photocatalyst that can realize selective glucose photoreforming into gluconic acid. Cellulase enzymes breakdown cellulose into glucose, which will subsequently be converted into gluconic acid by essential oxidative species (˙O2- and ˙OH) via a selective photocatalysis process with simultaneous H2O2 formation. This work demonstrates a good example to realize direct cellulose photobiorefining into value-added chemicals via the photo-bio hybrid system.