ZrW catalyzed cellulose conversion in hydrothermal conditions: Influence of the calcination temperature and insights on the nature of the active phase

We report here a comparison between calcined and un-calcined ZrW to that of zirconium oxyhydroxide and calcined zirconia in the hydrolysis of cellulose. The results stress that the active phase of the Zr based catalysts might combine the couple Zr4+ and OH− species while the role of W species would be of secondary importance and contribute to enhance the overall acid strength and the amount of acid sites. Of prime importance, it is disclosed that un-calcined ZrW exhibits a higher stability than calcined ZrW against W leaching.