Synchrotron-Based Infra-Red Spectroscopic Insights on Thermo-Catalytic Conversion of Cellulosic Feedstock to Levoglucosenone and Furans

Abstract

Thermo-catalytic conversion of cellulosic feedstock, such as lignocellulose, to platform chemicals offers a renewable alternative to fossil-based chemicals. Mechanistic insights behind thermochemical conversion of lignocellulose would facilitate thermo-catalytic process development for bio-based chemicals. This study employed synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy to investigate chemical changes in acid-catalyzed cellulose and lignocellulose and glucose during pyrolysis. Major changes in glucose occurred at 200 °C, where it underwent reactions including ring opening and tautomerization. Acid treatment did not change the molecular structure of cellulose but disrupted the lignocellulose network. The observed synchrotron FTIR spectral features provided evidence for acceleration of catalytic dehydration of cellulose and lignocellulose to levoglucosenone and furans. Catalytic passivation of alkali and alkaline earth metals in lignocellulose was also observed at low acid concentration.

Magnetite nanoparticles decorated on cellulose aerogel for p-nitrophenol Fenton degradation: Effects of the active phase loading, cross-linker agent and preparation method

“…In addition, the observed signals at 1098 and 898 cm −1 can be attributed to the symmetrical oscillations of C–O–C in pristine cellulose, indicating the presence of β -glycosidic bonds connecting glucose units [ 56 ]. The presence of two additional peaks at 1431 and 1231 cm −1 could potentially be attributed to the oscillation of the C–O bond in hemicellulose and the oscillation of the aromatic ring in lignin, as suggested by previous studies [ 57 , 58 ]. Following the application of chemical pretreatment, the peaks observed at 1736, 1430 and 1230 cm −1 , which are attributed to lignin and hemicellulose, were entirely absent from the FTIR spectrum.…”

Label-free visualization of unfolding and crosslinking mediated protein aggregation in nonenzymatically glycated proteins

“…The peak at 1100 cm −1 corresponds to ring vibrations due to the heterocyclic structure of AGEs. 74 In contrast, the peak at 1730 cm −1 corresponds to the aldehyde group of carbonyl molecules (methylglyoxal). 75 The FTIR spectra of glycated HSA showed a significant change in the peak shape of the amide-I band.…”

Ag0–Ginger Nanocomposites Integrated into Natural Hydrogelated Matrices Used as Antimicrobial Delivery Systems Deposited on Cellulose Fabrics

“…The band at 1640 cm −1 was attributed to the O-H bond of adsorbed water, while the peaks at 1107, 1052, and 1030 cm -1 belong to C-O vibrations and the peak at 1160 cm -1 is attributed to the C-O-C stretching mode. The bands shown at 1107 and 895 cm -1 are characteristic of the C-O stretching vibration on the polysaccharide skeleton [39]. In the case of the cellulose supports covered with natural hydrogel, in the FTIR analysis of each sample analyzed, the presence of polysaccharides will lead to the broadening of the characteristic O-H stretching bands around 3300 and 2900 cm -1 , which correspond to C-H stretching vibrations.…”