Catalytic conversion of cellulose over mesoporous Y zeolite

Mesoporous Y zeolite (Meso-Y) was applied, for the first time, to the catalytic pyrolysis of cellulose which is a major constituent of lignocellulosic biomass, to produce high-quality bio-oil. A representative mesoporous catalyst Al-MCM-41 was also used to compare its catalytic activity with that of Meso-Y. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used for the experiments. Meso-Y, with higher acidity, led to larger yields of aromatics and furans with high value-added than Al-MCM-41, resulting in the production of bio-oil with higher quality. The effect of temperature on the catalytic pyrolysis was not significant within the range of 400-500 degrees C. When the Meso-Y to cellulose ratio was increased from 1/1 via 2/1 to 3/1, the deoxygenation efficiency increased, leading to increased yield of aromatics.