Development of Novel Imidazole–Poly(ethylene glycol) Solvent for the Conversion of Lignocellulosic Agro-Residues to Valuable Chemicals

Abstract

In this study, rice straw and sugar cane bagasse were pretreated using a novel imidazole:poly­(ethylene glycol) (IPEG) solvent at temperatures between 120 and 200 °C for 1 h. The pretreatment using IPEG with molecular weight of PEG of 200 g/mol (IPEG200) resulted in 83% and 92% of xylan from rice straw and bagasse, respectively, being converted to furfural. The solubility of xylan was highest in IPEG200, which had higher hydrogen bonding acidity, hydrogen bonding basicity, and polarizability. The yield of glucose from pretreated residues via enzymatic hydrolysis was highest for rice straw treated with IPEG200 (27%) compared to the untreated sample (9%). Pretreatment of sugar cane bagasse using IPEG200 resulted in higher yield of furan derivatives (600 g/kg) compared to that from rice straw. The pyrolysates from the enzymatic hydrolysis residues contained a significantly lower amount of carboxylic acid and furan derivatives due to the removal of hemicellulose during the pretreatment process.

The preparation and performance analysis of chemical‐treated maize straw fibers and Its high‐performance polypropylene/chemical‐treated maize straw fibers/maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene/silane coupling agent composites

“…It also suggests that the thermal stability of CTF is better than that of UTF. As we known, maize straws mainly consist of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin 22 . In general, the range of thermal degradation temperature of cellulose (315–400°C), hemicellulose (220–315°C), and lignin (150–900°C) is different 23 .…”

“…As we known, maize straws mainly consist of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. 22 In general, the range of thermal degradation temperature of cellulose (315-400 C), hemicellulose (220-315 C), and lignin (150-900 C) is different. 23 In other words, when the temperature arrives about 150 C, the lignin begins to degrade.…”

Novel Solvent Systems for Biomass Fractionation Based on Hydrogen‐Bond Interaction: A Minireview

“…[ 40b ] Dhar et al used a novel imidazole:poly‐ethylene glycol (IPEG) solvent system to pretreat rice straw and sugar cane bagasse at 120 and 200 °C for 1 h, giving 83% and 92% of xylan from rice straw and bagasse, respectively. [ 52 ] The high efficiency for this solvent system can attribute to the fact that IPEG 200 has higher hydrogen bonding acidity and polarity compared to the other solvents in this study. [ 52 ] Meanwhile, the IPEG class of solvents are also effective for the fractionation of rice straw and bagasse with the simultaneous production of furan derivatives in substantial amounts.…”

“…[ 52 ] The high efficiency for this solvent system can attribute to the fact that IPEG 200 has higher hydrogen bonding acidity and polarity compared to the other solvents in this study. [ 52 ] Meanwhile, the IPEG class of solvents are also effective for the fractionation of rice straw and bagasse with the simultaneous production of furan derivatives in substantial amounts. [ 52 ] IL pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass following by low‐temperature pyrolysis can be an efficient route for biorefinery.…”

“…[ 52 ] Meanwhile, the IPEG class of solvents are also effective for the fractionation of rice straw and bagasse with the simultaneous production of furan derivatives in substantial amounts. [ 52 ] IL pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass following by low‐temperature pyrolysis can be an efficient route for biorefinery. Halder et al investigated slow pyrolysis of regenerated cellulose‐rich material (RCRM) and recovered lignin by using imidazolium‐based IL pretreatment of sugarcane straw (SCS).…”