Efficient hydrolysis of cellulose into sugars in aqueous systems using fibrous core-shell structure FS@C/HPW

The fibrous structure of FS90@C/HPW12 enhances the contact area between catalyst and cellulose, thereby increasing effectiveness. The proximity of catalyst and cellulose leads to selective adsorption on the cellulose surface due to the numerous hydroxyl groups on the catalyst. Upon separation, the microstructure of the cellulose surface is impaired, resulting in the formation of linear scars. HWP easily hydrolyzes the detached fragments from the cellulose matrix into glucose, thereby enhancing the efficiency of catalytic conversion of cellulose into sugar. [Display omitted] •HPW-doped hydroxyl-rich hydrothermal carbon-coated fibrous silica catalyst.•Enhance the effective and selective hydrolysis of cellulose into sugars.•Created a stable local environment for cellulose hydrolysis.•The Cellulose surface is effectively disrupted, leading to rapid hydrolysis. Phosphotungstic acid hydrate (HPW)-doped hydroxyl-rich hydrothermal carbon-coated fibrous silica catalyst (FS@C/HPW) is fabricated to induce the highly efficient hydrolysis of cellulose to sugar in an ultra-low acid aqueous system. The obtained FS90@C/HPW12 owns good thermal stability under 200 °C and the highest specific surface area at 28 m2/g. Owing to its special fibrous microstructures, FS90@C/HPW12 can cause linear damage and structural fragmentation on the surface of cellulose during hydrolysis. Accordingly, rather highly efficient hydrolysis with the cellulose conversion of 100 %, total reducing sugar and glucose yields at 92.2 % and over 85 % is achieved in the aqueous system with FS90@C/HPW12 and 5 mmol/L H2SO4. FS90@C/HPW12 also exhibits good reusability in multiple hydrolysis. This research provides a particular way for the design and synthesis of solid catalysts to induce the highly efficient hydrolysis of cellulose to sugar by chemical catalysis in a full aqueous system.