| 1. |
- Phongpreecha, Thanaphong, et al.
(författare)
-
Predicting lignin depolymerization yields from quantifiable properties using fractionated biorefinery lignins
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Green Chemistry. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 1463-9262 .- 1463-9270. ; 19:21, s. 5131-5143
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Lignin depolymerization to aromatic monomers with high yields and selectivity is essential for the economic feasibility of many lignin-valorization strategies within integrated biorefining processes. Importantly, the quality and properties of the lignin source play an essential role in impacting the conversion chemistry, yet this relationship between lignin properties and lignin susceptibility to depolymerization is not well established. In this study, we quantitatively demonstrate how the detrimental effect of a pretreatment process on the properties of lignins, particularly β-O-4 content, limit high yields of aromatic monomers using three lignin depolymerization approaches: thioacidolysis, hydrogenolysis, and oxidation. Through pH-based fractionation of alkali-solubilized lignin from hybrid poplar, this study demonstrates that the properties of lignin, namely β-O-4 linkages, phenolic hydroxyl groups, molecular weight, and S/G ratios exhibit strong correlations with each other even after pretreatment. Furthermore, the differences in these properties lead to discernible trends in aromatic monomer yields using the three depolymerization techniques. Based on the interdependency of alkali lignin properties and its susceptibility to depolymerization, a model for the prediction of monomer yields was developed and validated for depolymerization by quantitative thioacidolysis. These results highlight the importance of the lignin properties for their suitability for an ether-cleaving depolymerization process, since the theoretical monomer yields grows as a second order function of the β-O-4 content. Therefore, this research encourages and provides a reference tool for future studies to identify new methods for lignin-first biomass pretreatment and lignin valorization that emphasize preservation of lignin qualities, apart from focusing on optimization of reaction conditions and catalyst selection.
|
|
| 2. |
- Stoklosa, Ryan J., et al.
(författare)
-
Correlating lignin structural features to phase partitioning behavior in a novel aqueous fractionation of softwood Kraft black liquor
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Green Chemistry. - : Springer-Verlag. - 1463-9262 .- 1463-9270. ; 15:10, s. 2904-2912
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this work, a set of softwood lignins were recovered from a Kraft black liquor using a novel pH-based fractionation process involving sequential CO 2 acidification and separation of the solvated aqueous lignin fraction. These recovered lignin fractions were characterized with respect to properties that may be responsible for their phase partitioning behavior as well as properties that may render the lignins more suitable for materials applications. Lignin fractions were recovered between a pH range of 12.8 and 9.5 with the bulk of the lignin (90%) recovered between a pH of 11.1 and 10.0. While all the fractions were found to consist primarily of lignin as validated by sample methoxyl content, the first fractions to phase separated were found to be especially enriched in aliphatic extractives and polysaccharides. From the bulk of the lignin that was recovered between a pH of 11.1 and 10.0 a number of noteworthy trends were discernible from the data. Specifically, the phenolic hydroxyl content was found to exhibit a strong negative correlation to the fractionation pH and exhibited a nearly 50% increase with recovery at decreasing pH, while the GPC-estimated molecular weights and 13C NMR-estimated β-O-4 content showed strong positive correlations to the pH at recovery. The aliphatic hydroxyl content exhibited minimal differences between recovery conditions. Overall, these results suggest that this fractionation approach can generate lignin fractions enriched in select physical or structural properties that may be important for their application as feedstocks for renewable chemicals or materials.
|
|
