Evaluation on the properties of deep eutectic solvent-extracted lignin for potential aromatic bio-products conversion
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2020
Abstract
Lignin represents a major aromatic resource in future bio-economy due to its natural abundancy. However, it is mostly produced as paper pulping by-product with heavily modified structure. The application of deep eutectic solvent (DES) has introduced an alternative lignin-first extraction method. In this work, the structural and thermal properties of DES-extracted lignin (DEEL) from oil palm empty fruit bunch using choline chloride:lactic acid (CC-LA) and choline chloride:formic acid (CC-FA) were evaluated to examine the potential of DEEL for further valorisation. CC-FA was more destructive towards the lignin's structure, leading to a highly condensed DEEL. In contrast, CC-LA managed to preserve more beta-O-4' linkages, the usual chemical modification site. Thus, it might be more suitable for smaller chemicals production through depolymerisation process. The pyrolysis products were mainly phenolic compounds (> 50 %), indicating the prospect of DEEL for phenolic-based chemicals production. The collective results demonstrate that DEEL can potentially be employed as a precursor for fuel and aromatic chemicals production.
Keywords
Deep eutectic solvents, Lignin extraction, Lignin valorisation, Oil palm empty fruit bunch, Aromatic chemicals, Phenolic compounds
Publication Title
Industrial Crops and Products
Divisions
fac_eng
Funders
Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) by Ministry of Education Malaysia [FP128-2019A]
Volume
154
Publisher
Elsevier
Publisher Location
RADARWEG 29, 1043 NX AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS