Cr and Ni Metals-Impregnated Natural Zeolites as Catalysts for Transformation of Glucose to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural

Abstract

The transformation of glucose sourced from agricultural waste into products with higher economic value has not been carried out optimally. One way to utilize glucose from the waste is to convert it into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), an intermediate compound which can then be used as raw material for the manufacture of various other chemical compounds such as polymers or fuels. The results of the study using natural zeolite catalysts impregnated with Cr and Ni metals were proven to be able to convert glucose into HMF. Metal impregnation in zeolite is carried out through ion exchange with variations in heating temperatures of 60 °C and 90 °C. The impregnation efficiency of Cr and Ni is obtained in the range of 76-79%. The synthesis of HMF was carried out with pure glucose as a substrate in water: acetone (1:2) solvent using the hydrothermal method at 180 °C for 6 hours. The metal-impregnated zeolite heated at 60 °C showed better catalytic activity than the zeolite heated at 90 °C, with HMF yields of 22.7% for Cr and 38.68% for Ni metal impregnated zeolite. These results are better than studies using zeolite alone as a catalyst that have been previously reported, and show that Cr and Ni metals-impregnated zeolites can be used as catalysts for the transformation of glucose into HMF.