Evidence for cross-polymerization between the biomass-derived furans and phenolics. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Kai; Zhang, Lijun; Xu, Qing; Zhang, Zhanming; Shao, Yuewen; Dong, Dehua; Gao, Guanggang; Liu, Qing; Wang, Shuang; Hu, Xun
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 154(2020)
• Page Start: 517
• Page End: 531
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: Biomass-derived -- Bio-oil -- Carbon materials -- Furans -- Phenolics -- Cross-polymerization; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.03.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: The high tendency of bio-oil towards polymerization is one of the key challenges in hydrotreatment of bio-oil for production of bio-fuels. However, such properties of bio-oil could be used to produce carbon materials, but the mechanism for the polymerization has not been clarified. Bio-oil contains sugars, derivatives of sugars (i.e. furans et al.), phenolic monomers and oligomers. Among of them, the furans and phenolics are the typical compounds in bio-oil. In this study, the potential cross-polymerization between the furans (furan, furfural and furfuryl alcohol (FA)) and the phenolics (vanillin and guaiacol) in bio-oil was explored in water with/without H2 SO4 . The furans could polymerize via ring-opening to produce reactive reaction intermediates. Furfural and FA contained branched functionalities in furan ring, which was more reactive towards polymerization, especially for furfuryl alcohol. In general, the furans were more reactive towards polymerization than vanillin and guaiacol. Nevertheless, the cross-polymerization between the furans and phenolics occurred and significantly enhanced its tendency towards polymerization. The reaction intermediates formed via opening of the furan ring were the key initiator for the cross-polymerizations. Additionally, the presence of H2 SO4 could enhance consumption of the CO during the polymerization and the thermal stability of the resulting polymer. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Furans were more reactive towards polymerization than vanillin and guaiacol. Cross-polymerization between furans and guaiacol significantly took place. Intermediate formed via opening of furan ring triggered cross-polymerization. Hydration of furan ring played major roles in promoting polymerization reactions. H2 SO4 as the catalyst could enhance thermal stability of resulting polymers.