Effective Depolymerization of Sodium Lignosulfonate over SO42−/TiO2 Catalyst

Deriving high value products from depolymerized lignin oil, aided by (bio)catalytic funneling strategies

Lignin holds tremendous and versatile possibilities to produce value-added chemicals and high performing polymeric materials. Over the years, different cutting-edge lignin depolymerization methodologies have been developed, mainly focusing on achieving excellent yields of mono-phenolic products, some even approaching the theoretical maximum. However, due to lignin's inherent heterogeneity and recalcitrance, its depolymerization leads to relatively complex product streams, also containing dimers, and higher molecular weight fragments in substantial quantities. The subsequent chemo-catalytic valorization of these higher molecular weight streams, containing difficult-to-break, mainly C-C covalent bonds, is tremendously challenging, and has consequently received much less attention. In this minireview, we present an overview of recent advances on the development of sustainable biorefinery strategies aimed at the production of well-defined chemicals and polymeric materials, the prime focus being on depolymerized lignin oils, containing high molecular weight fractions. The key central unit operation to achieve this is (bio)catalytic funneling, which holds great potential to overcome separation and purification challenges.

Chemical and Thermal Characteristics of Ion-Exchanged Lignosulfonate

Lignosulfonate features sulfonate groups, which makes it soluble in water and hence, suitable for a wide range of applications. However, its characterization is challenging because of its limited solubility in organic solvents. Thus, this study investigated the chemical and thermal characteristics of ion-exchanged sodium lignosulfonate (Na-LS) and compared it with those of industrial kraft lignin derived from softwood and hardwood. The results demonstrated that the ion exchange successfully converted Na-LS to lignosulfonic acid (H-LS), as proven by the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and elemental analysis. H-LS has a greater apparent molecular weight than those of Na-LS and softwood and hardwood kraft lignin (SKL and HKL). According to ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, H-LS has less phenolic OH than SKL and HKL, indicating that it has more polymeric chains. Furthermore, H-LS has substantially more native side chains, such as β-O-4 units, than SKL and HKL. Thermal analysis revealed that H-LS has a greater glass temperature (T_g) than SKL and HKL, although Na-LS has a lower T_g than SKL and HKL. In addition, H-LS degraded faster than Na-LS did because the acid condition accelerated degradation reaction.