A new surfactant assisted acid prehydrolysis process for enhancing biomass pretreatment

Abstract

Prehydrolysis is an essential step for utilizing biomass, particularly in the Kraft-based dissolving pulp process. Once the hemicellulose was effectively extracted, it can not only upgrade the dissolving pulp, but also arise additional revenue by converting value-added products. Herein, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) was used to enhance the hemicellulose removal from poplar wood chips during mild acid hydrolysis. SDBS addition could reduce the surface tension, thus increasing the diffusion of hydrogen ion and promoting the hemicellulose and lignin dissolution. The hemicellulose removal was increased from 42.5 to 54.7% by adding SDBS in comparison with the control under condition of 170 °C and 2 h. Additionally, the lignin removal was increased from 9.6 to 19.1%. Gel permeate chronograph, scanning electron microscope, and heteronuclear single quantum coherence spectroscopy support the positive effect of SDBS addition. The properties of dissolving pulp prepared from surfactant assisted pretreatment are comparable/better than that derived from acid pretreatment. It opened a sustainable and economical way to extract hemicellulose from lignocellulose. A new surfactant assisted acid prehydrolysis process for enhancing biomass pretreatment.