Oxidation of organosolv lignin in a novel surfactant-free microemulsion reactor

作者：Kong, Juanhua; Li, Lixia; Zeng, Qiang; Cai, Zhenping; Wang, Yingying; He, Hongyan; Liu, Sijie^*; Li, Xuehui^*

来源：Bioresource Technology, 2021, 321: 124466.

DOI：10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124466

• Surfactant-free microemulsion
• Phase behavior
• Lignin oxidation
• Process intensification
• Metal sulfate

Lignin is considered as a promising substitute for fossil resources, but its efficient conversion remains a huge challenge due to the structural complexity and immiscibility with typical solvents. Herein, a series of surfactant-free microemulsion reactors comprised of n-octane, water and n-propanol were designed and their corresponding phase behaviors alongside their ability to intensify oxidative depolymerization of lignin were explored. Experimental results show that the phenolic monomer yield improves substantially (40-500 wt%) by comparison with processes performed in a single solvent. Detailed characterizations also suggest that the above intensification is rationalized by the solubilization effect of microemulsion system and directional aggregation of lignin at the microemulsion interface.

• 单位
  中国科学院