Lignin Structure and Aggregation Behavior in a Two-Component Ionic Liquid Solvent System
Journal article, 2014

Ionic liquids are of potential interest in the processing of lignocellulosic biomass. In this study, the ionic liquid co-solvent system of 1-methylimidazole (MIM) and 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium acetate (EMIMAc) was used to solvate LignoBoost lignin fractionated from black liquor obtained from a kraft paper mill. Lignin ethanol-precipitated (LEP) and ethanol-soluble (LES) fractions were characterized via gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and 13C- and 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) to determine structural characteristics and their relationship to polymer solubility in the system. Polymer integrity and solubility were optimal at ~20% lignin loading (w/w). Results showed that LEPs were generally of higher apparent molecular weight (Mw) and enriched with condensed/aliphatic ether linkages and aliphatic hydroxyls. The LESs had a lower apparent Mw and were enriched with carboxylic and phenolic groups. This newly gained knowledge on lignin fractionation and aggregation in the present solvent system provides future opportunities for tuning fractionation/extraction to suit a specific biomass-derived product, e.g., carbon fibers

Ionic liquids

NMR

GPC

Lignin

Biomass

Author

Susanne Bylin

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Forest Products and Chemical Engineering

Tyrone Wells

Qining Sun

Art Ragauskas

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Forest Products and Chemical Engineering

Hans Theliander

Wallenberg Wood Science Center (WWSC)

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Forest Products and Chemical Engineering

BioResources

1930-2126 (ISSN) 19302126 (eISSN)

Vol. 9 4 6002-6018

Subject Categories

Polymer Chemistry

Bio Materials

Polymer Technologies

Organic Chemistry

Areas of Advance

Energy

DOI

10.15376/biores.9.4.6002-6018

More information

Latest update

3/2/2022 6