Consecutive preparation of hydrochar catalyst functionalized in situ with sulfonic groups for efficient cellulose hydrolysis

Hydrochars in situ functionalized with –SO₃H groups were generated from kenaf core via a low-temperature hydrothermal carbonization process of 105 °C with a consecutive catalysis of H₂SO₄. The micro-morphology of the hydrochars was strongly affected by the sulfuric acid concentration. Sphere-like particles with size varying between 200 nm and 1 μm were obtained when the acid concentration was 52 wt%. Acid density of the hydrochar increased with the H₂SO₄ concentration increasing. The presence of considerable acidic groups of –SO₃H, –COOH, and –OH on the surface of hydrochars was evidenced by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The hydrochar obtained can be used directly for effective catalytic hydrolysis of cellulose without any post-modification. This study proposed a promising sustainable and cost-effective route for facile production of acidic hydrochar from crude plant with tunable properties.