Comprehensive Characterization of Lignocellulosic Biomass and their effective Delignification for Sustainable Bioenergy

Abstract

The study provides a thorough examination of the biofuel potential of three unique lignocellulosic crop residues: rice straw (Oryza sativa), corn stalk (Zea mays) and sugarcane bagasse (Saccharum officinarum) of Odisha. In the investigation, we explored the compositional, thermal and structural characteristics of these biomass sources, shedding light on their suitability for sustainable bioenergy production. Proximate analysis indicated variances in critical factors in the range of 5.9-14.8% (moisture content), 1.8-19.4% (ash content), 60-72.4% (volatile matter) and 9.6-14.7% (fixed carbon) which contribute to the various energy generating capacities of these materials. An in-depth investigation of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin concentration revealed the promise of sugarcane bagasse as a cellulose-rich option for bioethanol synthesis. Thermochemical profiling using thermogravimetric and FTIR analysis revealed information about thermal stability and chemical changes, with pretreatment having an important role in increasing biomass accessibility and crystallinity. The significance of pretreatment-induced crystallinity for effective enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentable sugar generation was highlighted by X-ray diffraction (XRD) . Overall, this study advances our understanding of the intricate relationships between biomass composition, structure and bioenergy potential, offering valuable insights for the development of sustainable biofuel production strategies.