Ternary AgFe₂O₄/SBA-16/SO₃H Heterojunction Photocatalyst for the Sustainable Production of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural under Mild Conditions

The use of solar energy to convert biomass and its derivatives into high-value chemicals has garnered significant interest as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. However, designing high-performance photocatalysts that can selectively catalyze biobased molecules remains a significant challenge in this field. In this paper, we describe the application of a ternary AgFe₂O₄/SBA-16/SO₃H photocatalyst in the photocatalytic conversion of biomass-derived sugars to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) using deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as green reaction media under visible light illumination. The photocatalyst was prepared by a facile sonication and postmodification method, and its crystal structure, functional groups, surface morphology, and optical features were analyzed through various characterization techniques. The influence of numerous essential variables on the photocatalytic production of HMF from fructose over the prepared photocatalyst was examined. The ideal reaction parameters were found to be 20 mg of photocatalyst quantity and 100 mg of fructose in choline chloride:glycerol under exposure to white LED light (9 W) at 80 °C, to afford 95% HMF yield in 2 h. The recyclability of the photocatalyst was established over five consecutive cycles, demonstrating its stability. This research provides an idea for AgFe₂O₄-based photocatalysts and a promising catalytic mode for biomass conversion using mild and efficient photocatalytic methodologies.