Enhanced hydrolysis of cellulose by catalytic polyethersulfone membranes with straight-through catalytic channels

Abstract

The aim of this study was to prepare sulfonated graphene oxide/polyether sulfone (GO-SO₃H/PES) mixed matrix membranes (GPMMMs) with high porosity and straight-through catalytic channels by segregation and used for dynamic and continuous hydrolysis of cellulose. The high porosity and segregation increased the exposure of catalysts synergistically and the formative GO-SO₃H enriched, straight-through catalytic channels had higher catalytic performance, enhancing the diffusion of hydrolytic products. Dynamic hydrolysis of cellulose is more efficient than static hydrolysis due to the enhanced contact between cellulose and catalysts achieved by the extra driving forces, and the further degradation of produced saccharides was suppressed due to the high freedom of products. The TRS reached 98.18% after 1 h at 150 °C with a catalyst/cellulose mass ratio of 1:5. More importantly, the immobilization of GO-SO₃H by PES improved its stability and reusability at high reaction temperature. This strategy provides guidance to the design of high-performance catalytic membranes.

Keywords: Cellulose hydrolysis; Dynamic catalysis; Graphene oxide; Porous catalytic membrane; Segregation.