In biomass decomposition, acid groups catalyze the degradation of cellulose to form glucose. Liquid phase acid catalysts are commonly used for biomass conversion; however solid acid may be a more cost-effective approach since they obviate the need for dilute acid pretreatment. Currently, the required acidity of solid acid catalysts to hydrolyze cellulose is unknown. Here, we attempt to develop an electrochemical technique that effectively varies the acidity of solid acid catalysts. We applied voltage offsets to acidic SAMs at varying pH levels and characterized the fraction of protonated acid groups with EIS. The results indicated that SAMs degraded under the experimental conditions, and therefore, the factors that contributed to the stability of SAMs were investigated.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Hoadley, Rexford Whittier
• Vardner, Jonathan Thomas

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042716-145431

Advisor

• Timko, Michael T.
• Lambert, Christopher R.

Year

• 2016

Date created

• 2016-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright