Humins are an undesirable side product of acid-catalyzed conversion of cellulose, glucose and HMF. Infrared spectroscopy suggests that humins form via aldol addition/condensation involving 2,5-dioxo-6-hydroxy-hexanal (DHH) which in turn forms from HMF. This aldol chemistry can be manipulated leading to the incorporation of various functional groups in the humins. The morphology, average particle size and particle size distribution can also be affected by modification of the solvent and acid used for the conversion. The humin morphology is also changed if they are dissolved in an appropriate solvent and re-precipitated. These findings suggest that it may be possible to convert humins from an undesirable waste material into a higher-valued valued material with a specific morphology, size and chemical functionality.

Modification of the morphology and chemical functionality of humins formed from hexoses

244th National Meeting (2012)

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