Archive for 8 月, 2025

废弃塑料转化One-step valorization of cellulose acetate plastic waste into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

星期五, 29 8 月, 2025

One-step valorization of cellulose acetate plastic waste into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

Recently, Dr. Chunxiao Gong (Associate Professor), together with Prof. Shuai Li (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) and Dr Qixuan Lin (South China University of Technology) proposed a one-step method to convert cellulose acetate (CA) plastic waste into the high-value chemical 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). The research, titled “One-step valorization of cellulose acetate plastic waste into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural”, was published in Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy (IF:21.1). Dr. Chunxiao Gong is the first author, while Profs. Zhen Fang, Shuai Li and Dr Qixuan Lin are the corresponding authors.

Cellulose acetate (CA) is a widely used cellulose derivative, commonly applied in cigarette filters, textiles, and plastics. The extensive use of CA-based products generates large amounts of plastic waste. Due to its low biodegradability, CA has become a “hidden source of pollution,” persisting in the environment for more than 10 years, with degradation rates decreasing sharply as the degree of acetylation increases. This poses severe environmental challenges.

In this study, using AlCl3 as the sole catalyst in an acetone–water solvent system at 160 °C for 50 minutes, CA was converted into HMF with a yield of 53.7%, which is three times that of untreated cellulose. When real waste materials (cigarette filters and CA fabrics) were used as feedstocks, the HMF yield also exceeded 50%. This technique provides a feasible route for the upcycling of CA plastic waste.

The in-situ generated acetic acid synergistically interacted with AlCl3, where acetic acid coordinated with Al(III) to regulate Lewis acidity, suppressing side reactions and promoting the fructose dehydration pathway. Meanwhile, the acetyl groups in the CA structure enhanced interactions with acetone solvent, further improving reaction selectivity. The process was equally effective for real CA waste (e.g., cigarette filters, fabrics), demonstrating strong application potential. Compared to previous studies on cellulose conversion to HMF, this system achieved high efficiency under milder conditions and with lower catalyst loading, offering a new pathway for the valorization of CA plastic waste.

Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that CA’s acetyl groups form noncovalent interactions with acetone molecules. Acetone preferentially surrounds the C1 and C4 positions of CA, preventing unnecessary protonation at these sites and thereby reducing byproduct formation (e.g., humins). The interaction energy (ΔE) between a CA monomer and acetone reached 15.04 kcal/mol, while that between a cellulose disaccharide monomer and acetone was only 7.76 kcal/mol, showing a significant difference. During the reaction, acetic acid released from deacetylation further participated in catalysis, working synergistically with AlCl3 to promote HMF formation.

Results published in Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy:

C Gong, Z Ju, Q Lin, X Lv, RL Smith Jr, L Xu, Y Cao, L Shuai, Zhen Fang, Z, One-step valorization of cellulose acetate plastic waste into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy, 2026, 381, 125880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.125880

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醋酸纤维素塑料废弃物一步法转化为5-羟甲基糠醛

近期,团队成员龚春晓副教授联合福建农林大学帅李教授、华南理工大学博士林琦璇提出一步法将CA塑料废物转化为高价值化学品5-羟甲基糠醛HMF。研究以“One-step valorization of cellulose acetate plastic waste into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural”为题发表于Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy (IF:21.1)。龚春晓副教授为第一作者,方真教授、福建农林大学帅李教授、华南理工大学博士林琦璇为通讯作者

Production of HMF from CA plastic waste醋酸纤维素塑料废弃物一步法转化为5-羟甲基糠醛

醋酸纤维素(CA)是一种用途广泛的纤维素衍生物,广泛应用于香烟滤嘴、纺织品和塑料等消费品。醋酸纤维素类产品的广泛使用产生了大量塑料废弃物,CA的低生物降解性使其成为一种“隐性污染源”,可在环境中可能存留超过10年,且降解速度随着乙酰化程度的升高而大幅下降,带来严峻的环境挑战。

本研究使用AlCl3作为单一催化剂,在丙酮-水溶剂系统中160°C、50分钟条件下,CA转化为HMF产率达53.7%,是未处理纤维素的3倍;当以真实废弃物(香烟滤嘴、CA织物)作为原料时,HMF产率均超过50%。这项技术为CA塑料废物的升级回收提供了可行途径。

原位生成的乙酸与AlCl3协同催化作用,乙酸通过与Al(III)形成配位络合物调节路易斯酸性,抑制副反应并促进果糖脱水路径;CA结构的乙酰基则通过增强与丙酮溶剂的相互作用进一步提高反应选择性。该工艺对真实CA废弃物(香烟滤嘴、织物等)同样有效,展现出良好的应用潜力。与前期纤维素制备HMF研究相比,该体系在更低催化剂用量、更温和条件下实现了高效制备HMF,为CA塑料废弃物的高值化利用提供了新途径。

通过分子动力学模拟发现:CA的乙酰基与丙酮分子发生更强的非共价相互作用,丙酮优先围绕在CA的C1和C4位置,阻止了这些部位发生不必要的质子化,从而减少了副产物(如腐殖质)的生成;CA单体与丙酮之间的相互作用能量(ΔE)达15.04 kcal/mol,而纤维素单体纤维二糖与丙酮仅为7.76 kcal/mol,显示出显著差异;反应过程中,乙酰基脱落生成的醋酸进一步参与催化,和AlCl3形成协同作用,促进HMF生成。

结果发表在Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy:

C Gong, Z Ju, Q Lin, X Lv, RL Smith Jr, L Xu, Y Cao, L Shuai, Zhen Fang, Z, One-step valorization of cellulose acetate plastic waste into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy, 2026, 381, 125880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2025.125880

国际会议NJAU – International Virtual Conference on Sustainable Processing of Biomass and Biogenic Matter

星期四, 14 8 月, 2025

Profs. Richard Smith and Janusz Kozinski (Smith教授和 Kozinski院士)

 

NJAU – International Virtual Conference on Sustainable Processing of Biomass and Biogenic Matter

Sustainable processing of biomass is one of the driving forces in the 21st century for generating carbon-neutral biofuels and multi-functional bioproducts. The International Virtual Conference dedicated to this field provides crucial platforms for exchanging ideas and disseminating knowledge regarding innovative technologies. These technologies focus on converting various biomass resources into biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials, while simultaneously fostering positive socio-economic impacts. The Conference served as a forum to present, discuss, and debate global and local challenges, opportunities, and future novel processes in this rapidly evolving sector.

Organization Committee

Chair: Professor & Dean Janusz A. Kozinski (Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, FCAE), Lakehead University, Canada

Co-chair: Professor Zhen Fang (FCAE), Nanjing Agricultural University, China

Secretaries:  Nanjing Agricultural University Associate Prof. Yang Cao and Dr. Lin Chen

 

Online Meeting Screenshot

Prof. Zhen Fang and other experts (方老师和专家们)

 

Experts and Guests (专家和嘉宾)

Questioning (提问)

 

Details can be seen:

Video link:

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV17Cb8zqEJN/?vd_source=4434644631de05400f9175161d843d8b

 

Lectures:

  1. Hydrothermal technology for sustainable food-energy-water nexus

Prof. Zhi-dan Liu (China Agricultural University, Beijing)

  1. Fundamentals of Solvothermal and Hydrothermal Fluids for Biomass Valorization

Prof. Richard Smith (Tohoku University, Japan)

  1. Sugar-platform biorefinery: catalytic conversion of carbohydrates into platform chemicals

Prof. Charles Xu (City University of Hong Kong)

  1. Hydrothermal carbonization of highly wet organic waste streams: a sustainable circular economy approach from sewage sludge to SAF

Prof. Iskender Gokalp (Middle East University, Turkey)

  1. Lignin-Based Micro/Nano Systems for Pesticide Encapsulation and Controlled Release

Prof. Hongliang Wang (China Agricultural University)

  1. Comprehensive investigation of hydrogen generation from agricultural residues by supercritical water gasification process

Prof. Ajay Dalai (USAK, Canada) together with Dr. Kapil Khandelwal

  1. Focused Perspectives on Waste Valorization, Net Zero Targets and Decarbonization

Dr. Sonil Nanda (Canada research Chair, tier 2, Dalhousie, Canada)

  1. SCW gasification of organic wastes: batch versus continuous processing (a multi-university journey from lab world to real world)

Dr. Richard Newbold (Supercritical-H2O, USA)

  1. In-situ hydrothermal gasification of waste towards circular economy

Prof. Mohan Reddy (IIT-Roorkee, India)

  1. Supercritical carbon dioxide assisted dissolution/extraction and heat transfer characteristics of the mixture fluid flow

Prof. Lin Chen (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  1. Open Forum – Discussion

Chaired by Prof. Janusz A Kozinski and Prof. Zhen Fang


南京农业大学成功举办“生物质可持续利用国际在线会议”

生物质资源的可持续加工是21世纪推动碳中和生物燃料及多功能生物制品发展的核心驱动力之一。为促进该领域前沿成果交流,2025年8月12日,由南京农业大学主办的“生物质可持续资源利用国际在线会议”成功召开。本次会议聚焦“生物质和生物质特性物质的可持续处理”主题,旨在搭建国际交流平台,分享创新技术,探讨未来发展。

会议由加拿大湖首大学Janusz A. Kozinski院士和南京农业大学方真院士共同担任主席。会议汇聚了来自加拿大、美国、印度、日本、法国、中国香港及内地的顶尖学者,围绕如何高效转化各类生物质资源为生物燃料、生物化学品和生物材料,以及相关的全球性、区域性挑战、机遇和未来创新流程等议题,进行了深度研讨。南京农业大学曹阳副教授和陈林博士共同担任大会秘书。会上,十位国际知名专家带来了精彩纷呈的学术报告:中国农业大学刘志丹教授、日本东北大学Richard Smith教授、香港城市大学Charles Chunbao Xu院士、土耳其中东大学Iskender Gokalp教授(法国国家科学研究中心CNRS燃烧研究所前所长)、中国农业大学王洪亮教授、加拿大萨斯喀彻温大学Ajay Dalai院士、加拿大戴尔豪斯大学Sonil Nanda助理教授(加拿大国家青年讲席教授)、美国超临界水公司Richard Newbold博士、印度理工学院鲁基分校Mohan Reddy教授、中国科学院工程热物理研究所陈林教授等,各位报告人分享了他们在生物质处理领域的最新研究进展与突破。会议尾声,Janusz A. Kozinski院士和方真院士共同主持了开放研讨会,与会专家学者就热点问题展开了热烈讨论。

演讲录像:

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV17Cb8zqEJN/?vd_source=4434644631de05400f9175161d843d8b

NJAU – Virtual Conference – 12 August 2025 – Program Signatures