Efficient Co-Production Of 5-Hydroxymethyl Furfural and Furfural from Biomass Utilizing Zr-Loaded Zsm-5 Zeolite Catalyst

In this study, Zr-loaded ZSM-5 zeolite catalysts were prepared by incorporating zirconium species into a mesoporous ZSM-5 framework. The research aimed to fine-tune the zeolite modification process to enhance its catalytic activity. The resulting mesoporous Zr/ZSM-5 catalyst was applied for the conversion of biomass-derived sugars into furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Sugar hydrolysate obtained from enzymatic corn stalk hydrolysis served as the feedstock. Key reaction parameters—including catalyst dosage, temperature, reaction time, and Zr ion content—were systematically investigated to optimize conversion efficiency. Under optimal conditions, the catalyst achieved furfural and HMF yields of 90.3 ± 0.5% and 49.8 ± 0.5%, respectively. The as-synthesized Zr/ZSM-5 solid acid catalyst demonstrated excellent performance, indicating its strong potential for sustainable and economically viable biorefining of lignocellulosic biomass.