A new route to improved glucose yields in cellulose hydrolysis

Abstract

Cellulose decrystallization was nearly complete at 0 degrees C in less than 2 hours. TFA used for cellulose decrystallization was recycled via a vacuum process. The residual TFA in cellulose was diluted by adding water to form a 0.5% TFA solution and used as a catalyst for hydrolysis. The glucose yield reached 63% in 30 minutes at 175 degrees C in a batch reactor. This yield was four times higher than that from the hydrolysis of untreated cellulose using 0.5% H2SO4 under identical conditions. Alternatively, the residual TFA can be completely removed by washing with water leaving the regenerated cellulose in a highly amorphous state. Regenerated amorphous cellulose is much more reactive than untreated cellulose in hydrolysis reactions