Mn/ZSM-5 participation in the degradation of cellulose under phosphoric acid media

The degradation reactions of cellulose under a combination of heterogeneous Fenton-like reagent with catalyst Mn/ZSM-5 and phosphoric acid media have been investigated. Phosphoric acid solution was selected as the reactive medium for the degradation of cellulose due to its good ability to destroy inter- and intra-molecular hydrogen bond so as to promote cellulose activation. The Fenton-like system, composing of H₂O₂ and Mn/ZSM-5 in combination with phosphoric acid, can effectively depolymerize cellulose to soluble sugars and partly degraded cellulose with much lower degree of polymerization. Small molecular products, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural and levulinic acid were extracted from the reaction solution. The performance of the catalyst Mn/ZSM-5 and the effect of reaction factors on the molar yield of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural were investigated. A three-step degradation scheme reflecting the main pathways of cellulose degradation in the reaction is proposed.