Lignin has potential to become a significant renewable feedstock. In this study we investigate the basic underpinning science of lignin solvent extraction and solubility. The solubilization and fractionation tendencies of alkali lignin in several solvent systems were investigated to expand our understanding of the chemical interactions involved. The solvent systems included tetrahydrofuran (THF), acetonitrile (ACN), methanol (MeOH), and acetone individually and in varied ratios with water. Lignin showed a higher solubility in 50% acetone and 50% acetonitrile solutions than in other solvent systems, which could be explained by hydrogen bonding, in which the aprotic solvent is a proton acceptor only. The recoveries of lignin in 50% acetone and 50% acetonitrile solution are 69.9% and 62.3%, respectively. By contrast, the MeOH/water system showed no improvement. Thermal carbon analysis (TCA) provided quantitative thermal profiles distinguishing volatile, higher molecular weight and tar-like species within both the liquid and solid fractions. The overall quantitative profiles confirmed the gravimetric results. In future work, the further characterization of both solid and liquid fractions will be reported based on thermal desorption (TD)- pyrolysis (Pyr)- gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which allows for cross-identification of molecular organic species in TD (thermal desorption) and pyrolytic (Pyr) processes. This will be done in combination with other methods including electrospray mass spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.<br/>

Alkali lignin solubilization and characterization using lignomics analytical toolset

2019 Spring National Meeting

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