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Synthesis of Sulfonated Magnetic Nano-catalyst Using Rice Husk Ash for Corncob Hydrolysis: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Study

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Abstract

This study developed a magnetic solid acid catalyst for corncob hydrolysis. The core, Fe3O4 nanoparticle of the catalyst, was prepared using the co-precipitation method, which was supported by SiO2 nanoparticles prepared from rice husk ash. The Fe3O4/C–SiO2 was modified to produce a solid acid catalyst via the sulfonation method. Properties of Fe3O4/C and the sulfonated catalyst were assessed using FTIR, SEM, EDS, XRD, XPS, and VSM. Pretreated corncob was hydrolyzed at 80, 90, and 100 oC under a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:10, using sulfonated Fe3O4/C for 100 min. Results showed that sulfonated Fe3O4/C–SiO2 contained HSO3 group indicating the success of the sulfonation process. The catalyst possessed a porous surface with a surface area of 72 m2/g and a total acid density of 0.96 mmol/g. The hydrolysis rate of corncob increased with reaction time and temperature, with the highest total reducing sugar observed at 90 °C. Batch data obtained from the corncob hydrolysis using a solid catalyst can be described by Saeman’s and integral first-order reaction models, establishing that cellulose hydrolysis is a first-order reaction. The activation energy for glucose formation was 12.33 and 42.4 kJ/mol for Saeman’s and first-order reaction models, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters; ∆H, ∆S, and ∆G revealed that the hydrolysis process was thermodynamically favoured, and the glucose formation was more stable relative to the degradation products. Sulfonated Fe3O4/C–SiO2 showed sustained activity after being reused four times.

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the inputs of the Soil Science Laboratory Staff and the Chemical Engineering Technologists, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria.

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This research did not receive any financial support from funding organizations in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Landmark University, P.M.B. 1001, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria

    Olayomi Abiodun Falowo, Abiola Ezekiel Taiwo, Adeyosola Ilesanmi & Oluwadabomi Davies

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville Campus, Symphony Way, Bellville, Cape Town, 7535, South Africa

    Oluwaseun O. Oyekola & Babatunde Oladipo

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  1. Olayomi Abiodun Falowo
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Contributions

OF: conceptualization, supervision, original draft preparation, visualization. OO: reviewing and editing, resources. BO: data curation, original draft preparation, reviewing, and editing. AT: supervision. AI: investigation, methodology. OD: investigation, methodology. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Olayomi Abiodun Falowo.

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Falowo, O.A., Oyekola, O.O., Oladipo, B. et al. Synthesis of Sulfonated Magnetic Nano-catalyst Using Rice Husk Ash for Corncob Hydrolysis: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Study. Waste Biomass Valor 15, 973–987 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-023-02210-8

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