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Riddell LA, de Peinder P, Polizzi V, Vanbroekhoven K, Meirer F, Bruijnincx PCA. Predicting Molecular Weight Characteristics of Reductively Depolymerized Lignins by ATR-FTIR and Chemometrics. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2024; 12:8968-8977. [PMID: 38872958 PMCID: PMC11167637 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c03100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Recent scientific advances in the valorization of lignin, through e.g., (partial-)catalytic depolymerization, require equally state-of-the-art approaches for the analysis of the obtained depolymerized lignins (DLs) or lignin bio-oils. The use of chemometrics in combination with infrared (IR) spectroscopy is one avenue to provide rapid access to pertinent lignin parameters, such as molecular weight (MW) characteristics, which typically require analysis via time-consuming size-exclusion methods, or diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy. Importantly, MW serves as a marker for the degree of depolymerization (or recondensation) that the lignin has undergone, and thus probing this parameter is essential for the optimization of depolymerization conditions to achieve DLs with desired properties. Here, we show that our ATR-IR-based chemometrics approach used previously for technical lignin analysis can be extended to analyze these more processed, lignin-derived samples as well. Remarkably, also at this lower end of the MW scale, the use of partial least-squares (PLS) regression models well-predicted the MW parameters for a sample set of 57 depolymerized lignins, with relative errors of 9.9-11.2%. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) showed good correspondence with features in the regression vectors for each of the biomass classes (hardwood, herbaceous/grass, and softwood) obtained from PLS-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Overall, we show that the IR spectra of DLs are still amenable to chemometric analysis and specifically to rapid, predictive characterization of their MW, circumventing the time-consuming, tedious, and not generally accessible methods typically employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke A. Riddell
- Faculty
of Science, Organic Chemistry & Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable
and Circular Chemistry, Utrecht University
institution, Utrecht 3584CG, The Netherlands
| | - Peter de Peinder
- Faculty
of Science, Inorganic Chemistry & Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable
and Circular Chemistry, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584CG, The Netherlands
- VibSpec, Haaftenlaan 28, Tiel 4006
XL, The Netherlands
| | - Viviana Polizzi
- Sustainable
Polymer Technologies team, Materials & Chemistry unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol 2400, Belgium
| | - Karolien Vanbroekhoven
- Sustainable
Polymer Technologies team, Materials & Chemistry unit, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol 2400, Belgium
| | - Florian Meirer
- Faculty
of Science, Inorganic Chemistry & Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable
and Circular Chemistry, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3584CG, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter C. A. Bruijnincx
- Faculty
of Science, Organic Chemistry & Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable
and Circular Chemistry, Utrecht University
institution, Utrecht 3584CG, The Netherlands
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2
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Sumerskii I, Böhmdorfer S, Tsetsgee O, Sulaeva I, Khaliliyan H, Musl O, Dorninger K, Tischer A, Potthast K, Rosenau T, Brereton RG, Potthast A. Tapping the Full Potential of Infrared Spectroscopy for the Analysis of Technical Lignins. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024; 17:e202301840. [PMID: 38240610 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202301840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/24/2024]
Abstract
We present an approach to overcome the challenges associated with the increasing demand of high-throughput characterization of technical lignins, a key resource in emerging bioeconomies. Our approach offers a resort from the lack of direct, simple, and low-cost analytical techniques for lignin characterization by employing multivariate calibration models based on infrared (IR) spectroscopy to predict structural properties of lignins (i. e., functionality, molar mass). By leveraging a comprehensive database of over 500 well-characterized technical lignin samples - a factor of 10 larger than previously used sets - our chemometric models achieved high levels of quality and statistical confidence for the determination of different functional group contents (RMSEPs of 4-16 %). However, the statistical moments of the molar mass distribution are still best determined by size-exclusion chromatography. Analyses of over 500 technical lignins offered also a great opportunity to provide information on the general variability in kraft lignins and lignosulfonates (from different origins). Overall, the effected savings in analysis time (>7 h), resources, and required sample mass combined with non-destructiveness of the measurement satisfy key demands for efficient high-throughput lignin analyses. Finally, we discuss the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of our approach, along with critical insights into the associated chemical-analytical and spectroscopic challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Sumerskii
- Core Facility "Analysis of Lignocellulosics" (ALICE), BOKU University, Vienna, Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 24, A-3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Stefan Böhmdorfer
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry of Renewable Resources, BOKU University, Vienna, Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 24, A-3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Otgontuul Tsetsgee
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry of Renewable Resources, BOKU University, Vienna, Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 24, A-3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Irina Sulaeva
- Core Facility "Analysis of Lignocellulosics" (ALICE), BOKU University, Vienna, Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 24, A-3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Hajar Khaliliyan
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry of Renewable Resources, BOKU University, Vienna, Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 24, A-3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Oliver Musl
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry of Renewable Resources, BOKU University, Vienna, Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 24, A-3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Katharina Dorninger
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry of Renewable Resources, BOKU University, Vienna, Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 24, A-3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Alexander Tischer
- Department of Soil Science, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Löbdergraben 32, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Karin Potthast
- Department of Soil Science, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Löbdergraben 32, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Rosenau
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry of Renewable Resources, BOKU University, Vienna, Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 24, A-3430, Tulln, Austria
| | - Richard G Brereton
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantocks Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, U.K
| | - Antje Potthast
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry of Renewable Resources, BOKU University, Vienna, Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 24, A-3430, Tulln, Austria
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3
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Riddell LA, Lindner JPB, de Peinder P, Meirer F, Bruijnincx PCA. Rapid Lignin Thermal Property Prediction through Attenuated Total Reflectance-Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics. CHEMSUSCHEM 2024; 17:e202301464. [PMID: 38194292 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202301464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
To expedite the valorisation of lignin as a sustainable component in materials applications, rapid and generally available analytical methods are essential to overcome the bottleneck of lignin characterisation. Where features of a lignin's chemical structure have previously been found to be predicted by Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression models built on Infrared (IR) data, we now show for the first time that this approach can be extended to prediction of the glass transition temperature (Tg), a key physicochemical property. This methodology is shown to be convenient and more robust for prediction of Tg than prediction through empirically derived relationships (e. g., Flory-Fox). The chemometric analysis provided root mean squared errors of prediction (RMSEP) as low as 10.0 °C for a botanically, and a process-diverse set of lignins, and 6.2 °C for kraft-only samples. The PLS models could separately predict both the Tg as well as the degree of allylation (%allyl) for allylated lignin fractions, which were all derived from a single lignin source. The models performed exceptionally well, delivering RMSEP of 6.1 °C, and 5.4 %, respectively, despite the conflicting influences of increasing molecular weight and %allyl on Tg. Finally, the method provided accurate determinations of %allyl with RMSEP of 5.2 %.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke A Riddell
- Organic Chemistry & Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Peter de Peinder
- VibSpec, Haaftenlaan 28, 4006 XL, Tiel, The Netherlands
- Inorganic Chemistry & Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Florian Meirer
- Inorganic Chemistry & Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter C A Bruijnincx
- Organic Chemistry & Catalysis, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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4
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Ruwoldt J, Handiso B, Øksnes Dalheim M, Solberg A, Simon S, Syverud K. Interfacial Adsorption of Oil-Soluble Kraft Lignin and Stabilization of Water-in-Oil Emulsions. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:5409-5419. [PMID: 38424003 PMCID: PMC10938882 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
In this paper, the potential of esterified Kraft lignin as a novel oil-soluble surfactant was examined. The lignin was chemically modified by esterification with lauric or stearic acid, making it soluble in solvents such as toluene or n-decane. Adsorption at the oil-water interface was then studied by the Du Noüy ring-method. The oil-soluble lignin behaved similar to water-soluble lignin surfactants, both the qualitative and quantitative progression of interfacial tension. Modeling revealed a surface excess of 7.5-9.0 × 10-7 mol/m2, area per molecule of 185-222 Å2, and a diffusion coefficient within the range 10-10 to 10-14 m2/s; all of which are in line with existing literature on water-soluble lignosulfonates. The data further suggested that the pendant alkyl chains were extended well into the paraffinic solvent. At last, bottle tests showed that the oil-soluble lignin was able to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions. The emulsion stability was affected by the concentration of lignin or NaCl as well as the oil phase composition. Aromatic oils exhibited lower emulsion stability in comparison to the aliphatic oil. In conclusion, a new type of surfactant was synthesized and studied, which may contribute to developing green surfactants and novel approaches to valorize technical lignin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jost Ruwoldt
- RISE
PFI AS, Høgskoleringen 6B, NO-7094 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Berhane Handiso
- Ugelstad
Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Amalie Solberg
- RISE
PFI AS, Høgskoleringen 6B, NO-7094 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sébastien Simon
- Ugelstad
Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kristin Syverud
- RISE
PFI AS, Høgskoleringen 6B, NO-7094 Trondheim, Norway
- Ugelstad
Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
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5
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Ruwoldt J, Blindheim FH, Chinga-Carrasco G. Functional surfaces, films, and coatings with lignin - a critical review. RSC Adv 2023; 13:12529-12553. [PMID: 37101953 PMCID: PMC10123495 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra08179b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Lignin is the most abundant polyaromatic biopolymer. Due to its rich and versatile chemistry, many applications have been proposed, which include the formulation of functional coatings and films. In addition to replacing fossil-based polymers, the lignin biopolymer can be part of new material solutions. Functionalities may be added, such as UV-blocking, oxygen scavenging, antimicrobial, and barrier properties, which draw on lignin's intrinsic and unique features. As a result, various applications have been proposed, including polymer coatings, adsorbents, paper-sizing additives, wood veneers, food packaging, biomaterials, fertilizers, corrosion inhibitors, and antifouling membranes. Today, technical lignin is produced in large volumes in the pulp and paper industry, whereas even more diverse products are prospected to be available from future biorefineries. Developing new applications for lignin is hence paramount - both from a technological and economic point of view. This review article is therefore summarizing and discussing the current research-state of functional surfaces, films, and coatings with lignin, where emphasis is put on the formulation and application of such solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jost Ruwoldt
- RISE PFI AS Høgskoleringen 6B Trondheim 7491 Norway
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6
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Gonçalves S, Martins J, Paiva NT, Paiva D, Carvalho LH, Magalhães FD. The Potential of Visible Spectroscopy as a Tool for the In-Line Monitoring of Lignin Methylolation. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 15:polym15010178. [PMID: 36616528 PMCID: PMC9824843 DOI: 10.3390/polym15010178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Out of the 50 to 70 million tons of lignin that are produced annually, only 1 to 2% are used for value-added products. Currently, 90% of the total market of this compound corresponds to lignosulphonates (LS). The most successful industrial attempts to use lignin for wood adhesives rely on using it as a partial substitute in phenol-formaldehyde or urea-formaldehyde resins. However, lignin's aromatic ring presents a low number of reactive sites. Several methods have been proposed to improve its reactivity, such as prior methylolation with formaldehyde. Off-line methods are commonly applied to monitor this reaction's progress, but this introduces a significant delay in the analysis. This study proposes a new method for in-line monitoring of the methylolation reaction using visible spectroscopy. In order to monitor the reaction progress, principal component analysis was applied to the spectra, and the obtained scores were analyzed. When these results were plotted against those obtained by the off-line methods, a satisfactory regression was obtained at 50 °C (R2 = 0.97) and 60 °C (R2 = 0.98) for two different LS samples. Therefore, it was concluded that visible spectroscopy is a promising technique for studying lignin methylolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Gonçalves
- LEPABE—Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), FEUP, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Jorge Martins
- LEPABE—Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), FEUP, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- DEMad–Departamento de Engenharia de Madeiras, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Campus Politécnico de Repeses, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
| | - Nádia T. Paiva
- Sonae Arauco Portugal S.A., Lugar do Espido—Via Norte, 4470-177 Porto, Portugal
| | - Diana Paiva
- LEPABE—Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), FEUP, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Luísa H. Carvalho
- LEPABE—Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), FEUP, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- DEMad–Departamento de Engenharia de Madeiras, Instituto Politécnico de Viseu, Campus Politécnico de Repeses, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
| | - Fernão D. Magalhães
- LEPABE—Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), FEUP, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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7
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Abdelaziz OY, Clemmensen I, Meier S, Costa CAE, Rodrigues AE, Hulteberg CP, Riisager A. On the Oxidative Valorization of Lignin to High-Value Chemicals: A Critical Review of Opportunities and Challenges. CHEMSUSCHEM 2022; 15:e202201232. [PMID: 36004569 PMCID: PMC9825943 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202201232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The efficient valorization of lignin is crucial if we are to replace current petroleum-based feedstock and establish more sustainable and competitive lignocellulosic biorefineries. Pulp and paper mills and second-generation biorefineries produce large quantities of low-value technical lignin as a by-product, which is often combusted on-site for energy recovery. This Review focuses on the conversion of technical lignins by oxidative depolymerization employing heterogeneous catalysts. It scrutinizes the current literature describing the use of various heterogeneous catalysts in the oxidative depolymerization of lignin and includes a comparison of the methods, catalyst loadings, reaction media, and types of catalyst applied, as well as the reaction products and yields. Furthermore, current techniques for the determination of product yields and product recovery are discussed. Finally, challenges and suggestions for future approaches are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Y. Abdelaziz
- Department of Chemical EngineeringLund UniversityNaturvetarvägen 14SE-221 00LundSweden
| | - Ida Clemmensen
- Department of ChemistryTechnical University of DenmarkKemitorvet 207DK-2800 Kgs.LyngbyDenmark
| | - Sebastian Meier
- Department of ChemistryTechnical University of DenmarkKemitorvet 207DK-2800 Kgs.LyngbyDenmark
| | - Carina A. E. Costa
- Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering–Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM)Department of Chemical EngineeringFaculty of EngineeringUniversity of PortoRua Dr. Roberto Frias4200-465PortoPortugal
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE)Department of Chemical EngineeringFaculty of EngineeringUniversity of PortoRua Dr. Roberto Frias4200-465PortoPortugal
| | - Alírio E. Rodrigues
- Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering–Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials (LSRE-LCM)Department of Chemical EngineeringFaculty of EngineeringUniversity of PortoRua Dr. Roberto Frias4200-465PortoPortugal
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE)Department of Chemical EngineeringFaculty of EngineeringUniversity of PortoRua Dr. Roberto Frias4200-465PortoPortugal
| | | | - Anders Riisager
- Department of ChemistryTechnical University of DenmarkKemitorvet 207DK-2800 Kgs.LyngbyDenmark
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