Abstract
The valorization of cellulose and lignin residues in an integrated biorefinery is of great significance to improve the overall economics but has been challenged by their structural recalcitrance, especially for lignin residue. In this work, a facile chemical conversion route to fabricating functional UV-blocking cellulose/lignin composite films through a facile dissolution–regeneration process using these biomass residues was proposed. Three representative lignin residues, i.e., aspen and poplar wood lignin, and corn stover (CS) lignin were assessed for their feasibility for the film fabrication. The UV-blocking performance of the composite films were comparatively investigated. Results showed that all these three lignin residues could enhance the UV-blocking property of the composite films, corresponding to the reduction in the optical energy band gap from 4.31 to 3.72 eV, while poplar lignin had a considerable content of chromophores and showed the best UV-blocking enhancement among these three assessing lignins. The enhancement of UV-blocking property was achieved without compromising the visible-light transparency, mechanical strength and thermal stability of the composite films even at 4% lignin loading. This work showed the high promise of integrating biomass residue conversion into lignocellulose biorefinery for a multi-production purpose.
Highlights
The current multiple-product integrated biorefinery concept and demonstrating plant has been using lignocellulosic biomass as the starting material due to its abundance in nature, carbon-neutral status and renewable advantages [1]
When it was selected for bioethanol production in this work, considerable cellulose to glucose conversion of 79.2% was achieved after 12 h enzymatic hydrolysis
Cellulose/composite films with UV-blocking functionality could be prepared using cellulose and lignin residues through a dissolution–regeneration process
Summary
The current multiple-product integrated biorefinery concept and demonstrating plant has been using lignocellulosic biomass as the starting material due to its abundance in nature, carbon-neutral status and renewable advantages [1]. It is the most promising and perhaps the only alternative to traditional fossil resources [2,3]. Unlike the well-developed oil refinery that could co-produce a wide range of platform chemicals, material precursors and energy products to achieve its complete utilization, the new-born lignocellulose biorefinery confronts tremendous technical and economic challenges to achieve such a goal. Exploring new technical routes to realize the valorization of these biomass residues is of great significance to improve the overall economics of the biorefinery
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