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Oxidation of Organosolv Lignin in a Novel Surfactant-free Microemulsion Reactor
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  • Juanhua Kong,
  • Lixia Li,
  • Xin Luo,
  • Qiang Zeng,
  • Xiumin Chen,
  • Zhenping Cai,
  • Jinxing Long,
  • Sijie Liu,
  • Xuehui Li,
  • Hongyan He,
  • Yingying Wang
Juanhua Kong
South China University of Technology

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Lixia Li
South China University of Technology
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Xin Luo
South China University of Technology
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Qiang Zeng
South China University of Technology
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Xiumin Chen
South China University of Technology
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Zhenping Cai
South China University of Technology
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Jinxing Long
South China University of Technology
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Sijie Liu
South China University of Technology
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Xuehui Li
South China University of Technology
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Hongyan He
Institute of Process Engineering Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Yingying Wang
South China University of Technology
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Abstract

Lignin is considered as a promising substitute for fossil resources, but the efficient conversion of the lignin remains a huge challenge due to its structural complexity and immiscibility with typical solvents. Herein, a series of surfactant-free microemulsion reactors comprised of octane, water and n-propanol were designed and their corresponding phase behaviors alongside their ability to intensify oxidative depolymerization of lignin was explored. Experimental results show that the phenolic monomer yield improves substantially (40-500 wt.%) when the novel microemulsion systems are employed by comparison with processes performed in a single solvent. Detailed characterizations also suggest that the above intensification is rationalized by the solubilization effect of the microemulsion system, which arise as a consequence of directional aggregation of lignin at the microemulsion interface.
Feb 2021Published in Bioresource Technology volume 321 on pages 124466. 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124466