Lignocellulosic biomass delignification using aqueous alcohol solutions with the catalysis of acidic ionic liquids: A comparison study of solvents. (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cheng, Fangchao; Zhao, Xin; Hu, Yingcheng
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 249(2018)
• Page Start: 969
• Page End: 975
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Acidic ionic liquids -- Alcohol -- Delignification -- Lignin -- Solubility parameter; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.10.089
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Highlights: Aqueous alcohol/ionic liquids solutions can effectively fractionate biomass. Chemical structure of alcohols affected delignification efficiency greatly. Solvent solubility parameters had close relation with delignification efficiency. Extremely low lignin content of 0.95% in cellulose can be achieved. Abstract: The exploration of effective deconstruction of biomass complex structures and mild fractionation into individual components is a profound challenge for the development of biorefinery. Herein, a biomass fractionation process, via treating biomass in various aqueous alcohol solutions with the catalysis of acidic ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate, was demonstrated to fractionate coir and poplar into cellulose materials with a lignin content as low as 0.95% and lignin with a delignification rate of up to 98%. The participation of acidic ionic liquids into the solvent system greatly multiplied the biomass fractionation efficiency. The analysis on effects of the chemical structure and solubility parameter of alcohols on the delignification efficiency provided a rational and meaningful way to predict and screen solvent for the biomass fractionation process. Lignin in the present study exhibited similar structure with milled wood lignin, and comparable molecular and thermal properties with the conventional organosolv lignin.