<b>Hydrothermal Production of Furfural from Corn Husk Biomass Using an AlCl₃–HCl Catalytic System </b>

This study investigates the hydrothermal production of furfural from corn husk biomass using an AlCl₃–HCl catalytic system. Corn husk, an abundant agricultural residue, was utilized as a renewable feedstock to address the growing demand for sustainable chemicals. Hydrothermal treatment was conducted in a Teflon-lined reactor, followed by product separation and characterization using FTIR, HPLC. The results revealed significant structural changes, particularly degradation of hemicellulose, which is critical for furfural formation. Quantitative analysis showed that the addition of AlCl3 increased furfural yield from 0.30% to 2.37%, demonstrating its catalytic effectiveness. The synergistic interaction between AlCl3 and HCl enhanced both hydrolysis and dehydration processes. These findings demonstrate the potential of this catalytic system for converting lignocellulosic biomass into value-added chemicals.