Functionalized zeolite-solvent catalytic systems for microwave-assisted dehydration of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

This study investigates the structure-performance relationships in different zeolite-solvent systems that are suitable for microwave-assisted dehydration of food waste-derived fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Different types of zeolites (MFI, BEA, and Y) were examined as acid catalysts. Water was first tested as the greenest solvent (baseline), followed by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetone, -valerolactone (GVL), and propylene carbonate (PC)/water (1:1 v/v) binary solvent systems. The results showed that the HMF yield was independent of particle size of MFI zeolite in water. The secondary porosities improved the HMF yield, while byproducts formation (via rehydration or polymerization) was also increased due to the enlarged channels in zeolites. All tested zeolites showed higher fructose conversion, HMF yield, and HMF selectivity in organic-water solvent systems than in water. The synergistic effects of the substrates, catalysts, and solvent-product interactions in the hydrophobic Y zeolite/DMSO system yielded the highest fructose conversion (72.4%) and HMF yield (49.2%). This study advances our understanding of green solvents and functionalized zeolites for microwave-assisted biomass conversion in sustainable biorefinery

Sustainable production of high-value gluconic acid and glucaric acid through oxidation of biomass-derived glucose : a critical review

202203 bcfcAccepted ManuscriptRGCOthersHong Kong International Airport Environmental Fund [Phase 2] Publishe

Life-cycle assessment on food waste valorisation to value-added products

202308 bcchAccepted ManuscriptOthersHong Kong International Airport Environmental Fund; Environment and Conservation FundPublishe

Photo-Fenton abatement of aqueous organics using metal-organic frameworks: an advancement from benchmark zeolite

A new and environmentally benign photocatalyst is introduced in this study, which was synthesized via incipient wetness impregnation onto MIL-47(V) using an ethanolic Fe(III) chloride solution. The resultant materials were characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, and HR-TEM analyses. The photocatalytic capability of Fe/MIL-47 towards removal of methylene blue (MB) was evaluated in comparison to MIL-53(Al), Cu/MIL-47, and Fe/zeolite-Y. The unmodified MIL-47 achieved 55% MB removal after 20-min exposure to UV/H2O2, through photodegradation as the dominant mechanism. Incorporation of Fe species into MIL-47 significantly increased the MB removal rate by 2.4-fold and accomplished nearly complete removal (98.2%) in 60 min, outcompeting the performance of Cu/MIL-47 and Fe/zeolite-Y. Based on the results of XRD, the impregnation of Fe retained the crystalline characteristics of MIL-47. The significance of temperature, catalyst dose, pH, and molar ratio of H2O2:MB was also evaluated in governing the photocatalytic activity of Fe/MIL-47. The reusability of Fe/MIL-47 was evidenced through its repetitive uses in MB photodegradation. The current work highlighted the potential of Fe impregnation for modification of MOFs in order to fabricate highly efficient and water-stable heterogeneous photocatalyst for degradation of organic pollutants. With the use of an economical and environmentally safe reagent (i.e., Fe), robust photocatalyst can exhibit high sustainability to warrant clean environmental remediation

Valorization of humins from food waste biorefinery for synthesis of biochar-supported lewis acid catalysts

202303 bcfcAccepted ManuscriptRGCOthersHong Kong International Airport Environmental Fund (Phase 2); PolyU Project of Strategic ImportancePublishe

Life-cycle cost-benefit analysis on sustainable food waste management : the case of Hong Kong International Airport

202308 bcchAccepted ManuscriptOthersHong Kong International Airport Environmental Fund and Hong Kong Environment and Conservation FundPublishe

A review of biochar-based catalysts for chemical synthesis, biofuel production, and pollution control

202308 bcchAccepted ManuscriptOthersHong Kong International Airport Environmental Fund; Environment and Conservation FundPublishe

Green synthesis of gamma-valerolactone (GVL) through hydrogenation of biomass-derived levulinic acid using non-noble metal catalysts : a critical review

202308 bcchAccepted ManuscriptRGCPublishe

A cross-region analysis of commercial food waste recycling behaviour

202203 bcfcAccepted ManuscriptOthersHong Kong International Airport Environmental Fund (Phase 2); PolyU Project of Strategic ImportancePublishe

Influence of green solvent on levulinic acid production from lignocellulosic paper waste

Lignocellulosic wastes constitute a significant portion of the municipal solid waste, which should be valorised for the synthesis of value-added chemicals to achieve circular bioeconomy. This study evaluates the use of -valerolactone (GVL) and acetone as green co-solvents to produce levulinic acid (LA) from lignocellulosic paper towel waste, at different temperatures using dilute H2SO4. At highest reaction temperature (200°C), water alone as a reaction medium achieved ~15 Cmol% LA at maximum. while A mixture of GVL and water (GVL/H2O) enhanced the depolymerization of paper towel waste and the subsequent conversion to LA, with the highest yield amounted to ~32 Cmol%. Acetone/H2O solvent system generated 17 Cmol% LA at a relatively lower temperature of 180°C, and higher temperature-induced polymerization of soluble sugars and/or intermediates, hindering further conversion to LA. In contrast, the availability of soluble sugars tended to be higher in the GVL/H2O system, which favoured the production of LA