Photo-induced reduction of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural using graphitic carbon nitride supported metal catalysts†
Abstract
Photo-catalytic reduction of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into 2,5-dihydroxymethylfuran (DHMF) under visible light irradiation is achieved by using a platinum catalyst supported on graphitic carbon nitride (Pt/g-C3N4). Pt/g-C3N4 acts as a multifunctional and tandem catalyst to successively promote the photo-induced water splitting to form hydrogen and the successive activation of the produced hydrogen for HMF reduction, yielding DHMF yield of 6.5% with TOF of 0.457 h−1. This research provides a sustainable and green pathway for biomass conversion using solar radiation as a driving force.