Bifunctional 10-MR Zeolites for Sugar Conversion into Furanic Compounds
Direction Catalyse, Biocatalyse et Séparation

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Dans le cadre de la mission d’intérêt général confiée par les pouvoirs publics, IFPEN concentre ses efforts sur :

• l’apport de solutions aux défis sociétaux de l’énergie et du climat, en favorisant la transition vers une mobilité durable et l’émergence d’un mix énergétique plus diversifié ;
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Partie intégrante d’IFPEN, l’école d’ingénieurs IFP School prépare les générations futures à relever ces défis.

Bifunctional 10-MR Zeolites for Sugar Conversion into Furanic Compounds

The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into valuable chemicals is a major challenge in developing sustainable chemical processes. Among biomass-derived platform molecules, furanic compounds such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) and furfural are promising building blocks for bio-based chemicals. They can be produced from C6 and C5 sugars, respectively, through acid-catalyzed reactions. Bifunctional zeolites containing both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites offer a promising approach to these transformations.

However, competing side reactions can limit the selectivity toward the desired products. While 12-membered-ring (12MR) zeolites, particularly BEA, have been widely investigated, 10-membered-ring (10MR) zeolites such as ZSM-5 remain less explored for these reactions.

This project aims to develop bifunctional ZSM-5 catalysts and investigate how their acid-site properties and distinctive pore structure influence the selective formation of furan derivatives from sugars.

Project description : 

As part of an ongoing PhD research project initiated in 2024, the internship will focus on the study of bifunctional Sn/Al-ZSM-5 catalysts to better understand the influence of their physicochemical properties on catalytic performance.

The student will synthesize a series of Sn/Al-ZSM-5 catalysts and characterize their composition, structure, textural properties, and acidity using complementary analytical techniques. Catalysts will then be evaluated for the conversion of sugars into furan derivatives. Reaction products will be quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

By correlating characterization data with catalytic results, the student will investigate how pore structure, acid-site balance, and proximity affect catalytic performance and product selectivity. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of how to design more efficient bifunctional catalysts for biomass valorization.

The internship will be carried out in close collaboration with a third-year PhD student. A final report and an oral presentation summarizing the methodology, results, and main conclusions will be expected at the end of the internship.

Candidate profile : 

Master student in chemistry, catalysis, materials science, or physical chemistry, with an interest in catalysis and green chemistry.

• Desired educational background : Second-year master’s degree or final year of engineering program.