Lignin, a large-scale byproduct of wood industry is a promising alternative feedstock for biofuel and renewable aromatics production. The challenge in lignin characterization stems from a broad range of lignin types isolated from varying biomass matrices, which is further expanded for technical lignins depending on the number of processing techniques. In the present study, we employ lignomic analysis tools to a number of different technical lignins using validated approaches for MW determination and thermal desorption pyrolysis methods providing both structural information and quantitative profiles.<br/>The molecular weight-based separation of lignin was achieved by gel permeation chromatography and compared to MS profiles obtained by electrospray high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The advantage of ESI ionization is accounting for the production of multiply-charged ions. The thermal carbon analysis (TCA) was used as a novel method enabling mass balance closure and thermal fractionation of carbonaceous species, thus providing insights into both low and high molecular weight species including those repolymerized. While similar data to thermogravimetry are obtained, this method enabled direct detection of carbon thus distinguishing lignin components from water and inorganic impurities. The results from TCA were directly aligned with identification based on thermal desorption pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-Pyr-GC-MS) providing structural information about evolving species.

Comprehensive characterization of a broad range of technical lignins using lignomics analytical toolset

ACS Fall 2021

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