Revalorization of agro-industrial waste as a catalyst source for production of biofuels

Abstract This work evaluates the bio-waste valorization approach for catalyst development, the use of products derived from biomass as raw material and the production of biofuels. In this research activated carbons were synthesized from orange peel using different synthesis conditions. With the activated carbons obtained with the best structure and texture, PtIr bimetallic catalysts were prepared. Carbon activation was carried out through a chemical process with phosphoric acid as an activating agent, varying acid concentration, substrate/activating agent ratio and time of contact between them. The best support was obtained using carbonization time of 1 h, carbonization temperature of 470 °C, phosphoric acid concentration of 50 wt % and with BET area of 1429 m2/g. Subsequently, the metallic nanoparticles were deposited in the activated carbon to use the solid as a catalytic material for the hydrogenation of HMF to 2,5-DMF. The catalyst showed excellent performance for the generation of biofuels.