Process intensification and mechanistic insights into glucose oxidation to formic acid over H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀ catalyst in a microchannel reactor

Abstract

Formic acid (FA), a single-carbon carboxylic acid, has gained attention as a potential alternative fuel due to its high energy density, ease of storage, and environmental benefits. However, its current production primarily relies on non-renewable fossil resources while using conventional batch reactors with limited efficiency, highlighting the need for greener and more efficient alternatives. This study comprehensively investigated the catalytic conversion of glucose to FA in a Taylor flow microchannel reactor. Various catalysts were evaluated, with Keggin-type heteropoly acid catalyst H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀ showing the highest efficiency, and its dosing was optimized. Great emphasis was placed on understanding the mechanism of catalytic oxidation catalyzed by H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀. This involved developing a direct visible chromatic detection for monitoring the reduction process of H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O40,
 exploring product distribution under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions, and proposing pathways of main intermediates oxidation to FA through experimental and theoretical DFT analysis. The findings highlighted the efficacy of H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀
 , with approximately 100% conversion and an FA yield of 82.4% with 0.4 wt%H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀. Mechanistic studies elucidated the involvement of coordinated V atoms as active sites on the catalyst and provided insights into the bifunctional role of H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀
 in glucose conversion. Furthermore, the study investigated the reusability of catalystH₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀, indicating its potential for sustainable catalytic processes.

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ORCID for Xunli Zhang: orcid.org/0000-0002-4375-1571

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