title: Highly efficient organosolv fractionation of cornstalk into cellulose and lignin in organic acids.
abstract: In this study, effects of fractionation solvents, catalysts, temperatures and residence time on yields, purity and chemical composition of the products were investigated at the solid/solvent ratio of 1:5 (g/g). It was revealed that mixture of acetic acid/formic acid/water at the ratio of 3:6:1 (v/v/v) resulted in crude cellulose and lignin products of relatively high purity. The use of HCl catalyst contributed to a high crude cellulose yield, while H2SO4 showed an adverse effect on cellulose yield. However, both of these acidic catalysts contributed to much lower hemicellulose contents in the resulted crude cellulose products compared with those obtained without a catalyst. Fractionation at 90°C for 180min in mixed solvents of acetic acid/formic acid/water (3:6:1, v/v/v) with or without catalyst produced crude cellulose with very low residual lignin contents (<4%).
authors.affiliation: Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario N6A 5B9, Canada.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shui
authors.affiliation: Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario N6A 5B9, Canada.
authors.forename: Shanghuan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario N6A 5B9, Canada.
authors.forename: Zhongshun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario N6A 5B9, Canada.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuboki
authors.affiliation: Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario N6A 5B9, Canada. Electronic address: cxu6@uwo.ca.
authors.forename: Chunbao Charles
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D005591:Chemical Fractionation / Q000379:methods*; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012997:Solvents; D002482:Cellulose; D008031:Lignin
keywords: Acetic acid; Cellulose; Cornstalk; Formic acid; Lignin; Mixed solvents; Organosolv fractionation