Kinetics and Mechanisms of Levulinic Acid Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass

 

2024 USDA-NIFA Competitive Research Support Award

Principal Investigators and affiliations:

PI: Dr. Xianghong Qian, University of Arkansas

Graduate Student: Zhexi Zhu

Funded: $53,400

Start Date: 7/1/2024

End Date: 6/30/2025

 

Project Goal

To investigate the fundamental processes during lignocellulosic biomass conversion to levulinic acid using a patented polymeric catalyst.

 

Objectives

1. Identify the products, intermediates and byproducts during cellulose conversion to levulinic acid using our polymeric acid catalyst in different GVL:IL ratios
2. Investigate the effects of solvent and solvent mixtures on levulinic acid yield and quantify the byproducts and intermediates during the conversion process.
3. Determine the reaction pathways and kinetics for levulinic acid production using a patented catalyst

Expected Project Outcomes

Successful completion of the project will result in the following outcomes and deliverables:

• Completion of Mr. Zhu’s doctoral dissertation research on the mechanisms and kinetics of levulinic acid production from biomass substrates.
• Understanding the effects of solvent and reaction conditions on levulinic acid production from cellulose and lignocellulosic biomass using our patented polymeric acid catalyst.