Synthesis and characterization of sulfonated activated carbon as a catalyst for bio-jet fuel production from biomass and waste plastics

Abstract

Sulfonated activated carbon-based catalysts were prepared by microwaved-assisted carbonization of phosphoric acid activated corncob followed by sulfonation using concentrated sulfuric acid. Sulfonation at different temperatures and times resulted in varied SO₃H group density of the SAC catalysts. Sulfonation temperature showed a significant effect on the introduction of SO₃H on the AC precursor while time had minor role. The SAC catalysts were characterized by means of N2 sorption analysis (specific surface area, pore-volume, average pore width), FTIR spectroscopy, SEM imaging, and sulfur analysis. The impact of catalysts SO₃H density on the product distribution and bio-oil composition from the catalytic co-pyrolysis of Douglas fir and LDPE was evaluated. The highest bio-jet fuels (aromatics and C9-16 alkanes) obtained was 97.51% using the SAC catalyst sulfonated at 100 °C for 5 h. Results showed that SAC has great potential as catalyst in the co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastics for the production of jet-fuel range hydrocarbons.

Keywords: Bio-jet fuels; Biomass; Co-pyrolysis; Low-density polyethylene; Sulfonated carbon catalyst.