TY - JOUR
T1 - Quantitative prediction of the solvent fractionation of lignin
AU - van Leuken, Stijn H. M.
AU - van Osch, Dannie J. G. P.
AU - Kouris, Panos D.
AU - Yao, Yawen
AU - Jedrzejczyk, Monika A.
AU - Cremers, Geert J. W.
AU - Bernaerts, Katrien V.
AU - van Benthem, Rolf A. T. M.
AU - Tuinier, Remco
AU - Boot, Michael D.
AU - Hensen, Emiel J. M.
AU - Vis, Mark
PY - 2023/10/2
Y1 - 2023/10/2
N2 - Lignin is the most abundant and sustainable source of aromatics on earth. However, its heterogeneous structure and hard-to-predict physicochemical properties complicate its valorization potential in many applications. We present a combined experimental and theoretical approach to quantify and predict the fractionation of lignin in binary solvent blends. This serves as an important way to reduce feedstock heterogeneity, obtaining lignin fractions with better defined molecular features. Our model predicts how the yield, in terms of amount of dissolved lignin, varies with the solvent composition. To explain the experimental results, it is essential that we invoke the physical and chemical polydispersity of lignin in our model. We obtain quantitative agreement with experimental results on various molecular features of the dissolved lignin fractions, including the yield, molecular mass, and the number of functional hydroxyl groups. This work shows that the amount and nature of dissolved lignin can be tuned predictably using a combination of solvents, which paves the way for a broader applicability of lignin as a bio-based material.A combined experimental and theoretical framework was developed that predicts the solvent fractionation of lignin, taking chemical and physical dispersity into account. This paves the way for a broader applicability of lignin in bio-based materials.
AB - Lignin is the most abundant and sustainable source of aromatics on earth. However, its heterogeneous structure and hard-to-predict physicochemical properties complicate its valorization potential in many applications. We present a combined experimental and theoretical approach to quantify and predict the fractionation of lignin in binary solvent blends. This serves as an important way to reduce feedstock heterogeneity, obtaining lignin fractions with better defined molecular features. Our model predicts how the yield, in terms of amount of dissolved lignin, varies with the solvent composition. To explain the experimental results, it is essential that we invoke the physical and chemical polydispersity of lignin in our model. We obtain quantitative agreement with experimental results on various molecular features of the dissolved lignin fractions, including the yield, molecular mass, and the number of functional hydroxyl groups. This work shows that the amount and nature of dissolved lignin can be tuned predictably using a combination of solvents, which paves the way for a broader applicability of lignin as a bio-based material.A combined experimental and theoretical framework was developed that predicts the solvent fractionation of lignin, taking chemical and physical dispersity into account. This paves the way for a broader applicability of lignin in bio-based materials.
KW - TECHNICAL LIGNINS
U2 - 10.1039/d3gc00948c
DO - 10.1039/d3gc00948c
M3 - Article
SN - 1463-9262
VL - 25
SP - 7534
EP - 7540
JO - Green Chemistry
JF - Green Chemistry
IS - 19
ER -