THE ROLE OF SULFONATED ACTIVATED CARBONS AS CATALYSTS FOR THE HYDROLYSIS OF CELLOBIOSE

ABSTRACT In this work the production of glucose via hydrolysis of cellobiose using sulfonated active carbons as catalysts was studied. Commercial carbons presenting different types of porous system (micropores and mesopores) have been treated with sulfuric acid at different temperatures, being characterized afterwards. Such carbons have been tested as catalysts in the reaction of cellobiose hydrolysis. The results indicated that the type and density of sulfonic sites are not the only parameters responsible for the activity of the catalysts. Indeed, the porosity of the catalysts also plays an important role in the determination of the catalyst activity.