A Sequential Autohydrolysis-Ionic Liquid Fractionation Process for High Quality Lignin Production

In this study, we propose a complete biomass fractionation strategy where all three major biopolymers, namely cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, are separated with higher efficiency and purity. Sequential treatment of hybrid poplar wood using autohydrolysis (160 °C, 60 min) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate activation (60 °C, 3 h) resulted in significantly improved enzymatic saccharification and fractionated 85% cellulose and 67% hemicellulose. The resulting solid fraction contained 90 % (w/w) lignin, which was equal to 71% yield based on the original biomass composition. The proposed two-step pretreatment process improved lignin yield by 77% and 23% compared to single-stage ionic liquid activation or autohydrolysis, respectively. Structural characterization by 2D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and small-angle neutron scattering revealed that the isolated lignin sustained minimal modifications to inter-unit linkages, and exhibited high thermotolerance as well as unique functionality, thereby highlighting the benefits of this process for lignin fractionation.

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Work Title A Sequential Autohydrolysis-Ionic Liquid Fractionation Process for High Quality Lignin Production
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Open Access
Creators
  1. Jing Wang
  2. Kalavathy Rajan
  3. Aparna Annamraju
  4. Stephen C. Chmely
  5. Sai Venkatesh Pingali
  6. Danielle Julie Carrier
  7. Nicole Labbé
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Energy & Fuels
Publication Date February 4, 2021
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.0c03849
Deposited July 16, 2021

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Version 1
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  • Created
  • Added Revised_Fractionation_Manuscript_Clean.pdf
  • Added Creator Jing Wang
  • Added Creator Kalavathy Rajan
  • Added Creator Aparna Annamraju
  • Added Creator Stephen C. Chmely
  • Added Creator Sai Venkatesh Pingali
  • Added Creator Danielle Julie Carrier
  • Added Creator Nicole Labbé
  • Published
  • Updated
  • Updated
  • Updated