Understanding the cation exchange affinity in modified-MMT catalysts for the conversion of glucose to lactic acid.

This study investigated the exchange affinity of Fe, Cu, and Zn cations in sulfuric acid-purified montmorillonite (S-MMT) to enhance Lewis acid sites and subsequently improve the catalytic conversion of glucose to lactic acid. XRD analysis suggested the successful cation exchange process, leading to structural expansion of the resultant cation exchanged-MMTs (CE-MMTs). XRF and TGA indicated that Zn had the highest exchange affinity, followed by Cu and then Fe.