Utilization of Levoglucosan Production By-Products

Abstract

Biorecycling of wood includes many different processes aimed at the complete utilization of the main and by-products. The complete isolation of C5 and C6 sugars from wood and their further use is currently attracting attention worldwide. The C5 sugars can be catalytically converted directly into furfural or into monosaccharides’ aqueous solution for further hydrolytic treatment. The resulting lignocellulose can be used in thermochemical pyrolysis (350-400°C) for the synthesis of levoglucosan. The biochar formed during pyrolysis and the liquid residue after the isolation of levoglucosan are by-products and can be used as precursors to obtain valuable products – activated carbon composites for supercapacitor electrodes and catalysts in fuel cells.