Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yang Huang, Qiulu Chu, Wenyao Tong, Shufang Wu, Yongcan Jin, Jinguang Hu, Kai Song
Summary: The sequential acid-alkali pretreatment developed in this study showed promising results in promoting biomass fractionation and saccharification. The addition of 2-naphthol in acid pretreatment enhanced lignin reactivity towards alkali post-treatment, resulting in a synergistic effect in improving biomass saccharification. The mass balance and energy analysis revealed an optimal fractionation of poplar biomass that could achieve an energy recovery of 86%, indicating the potential for sustainable utilization of lignocellulosic biomass.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Lei Zhong, Chao Wang, Miaomiao Xu, Xingxiang Ji, Guihua Yang, Jiachuan Chen, Srinivas Janaswamy, Gaojin Lyu
Summary: The research proposes an efficient approach for biomass energy production through diluted alkali-aided methanol organosolv treatment, resulting in ultrahigh glucose yield and high value-added lignin. The mild alkali catalytic organosolv treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis achieved simultaneous high glucose yield and efficient delignification, with the recovered lignin showing excellent radical scavenging capacity for potential use in biobased functional materials.
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Chihe Sun, Guojie Song, Zhenying Pan, Maobing Tu, Mahshid Kharaziha, Xueming Zhang, Pau-Loke Show, Fubao Sun
Summary: The valorization of organosolv pretreatment (OP) is essential for the industrialization of enzyme-mediated lignocellulosic biorefinery. Recent studies have shown that OP can modify the soluble components into valuable active compounds, such as organosolv modified lignin (OML) and organosolv modified sugars (OMSs), while protecting them from degradation. OML can be transformed into phenolic compounds with a highly reactive lignin structure, while OMSs have potential applications in cosmetics, foods, and healthcare. The valorization of these active compounds in OP holds great promise for cost reduction. The review covers recent advances in organosolv modified components and discusses future challenges.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shuang Yang, Xianpeng Yang, Xianzhi Meng, Lei Wang
Summary: This study reports the use of dimethyl isosorbide (DMI) as a solvent for fractionating lignocellulosic biomass into its main components. The pretreatment of Eucalyptus using DMI/H2O co-solvents achieves high lignin removal efficiency and good cellulose retention. The addition of water suppresses lignin condensation and produces lignin with high purity. Efficient fibrillation of obtained pulp leads to energy-saving potential.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Chihe Sun, Hongyan Ren, Fubao Sun, Yun Hu, Qiangqiang Liu, Guojie Song, Ali Abdulkhani, Pau Loke Show
Summary: The complex structure of lignocellulosic biomass impedes efficient enzymatic hydrolysis, necessitating pretreatment. Glycerol organosolv (GO) pretreatment has shown promising results in selectively deconstructing biomass and improving enzymatic hydrolysis by modifying dissolved components and reducing fermentation inhibitors.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yuan Zhu, Benkun Qi, Xinquan Liang, Jianquan Luo, Yinhua Wan
Summary: This study investigated the efficient pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse using Lewis acid-mediated glycerol, leading to high glucan recovery, xylan removal, and delignification rates. Enzymatic saccharification of the pretreated bagasse resulted in a significant glucose yield, while the extracted lignin samples demonstrated contrasting effects on enzymatic hydrolysis, showing potential for valorization into high-value products.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fengyang Xue, Wenzhi Li, Shengxin An, Cunshuo Li, Xu Li, Mingwei Wu, Xiuzhi Wei
Summary: The study demonstrates that pretreatment using ethylene glycol and dilute sulfuric acid for lignocellulose fractionation is a simple, efficient, and promising process for corn stover biorefinery. Delignification and cellulose retention rates are high, leading to a significant increase in enzymatic hydrolysis sugar yield compared to untreated corn stover. The regenerated lignin can also be utilized to produce renewable aromatic chemicals and alkane fuels.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Caoxing Huang, Xiao Jiang, Xiaojun Shen, Jinguang Hu, Wei Tang, Xinxing Wu, Arthur Ragauskas, Hasan Jameel, Xianzhi Meng, Qiang Yong
Summary: Efficiently producing second-generation biofuels from biomass remains a long-term challenge due to biomass recalcitrance. Lignin significantly contributes to biomass recalcitrance by physically limiting enzyme access to carbohydrates. Research is focused on mitigating the negative effects of lignin on enzyme performance.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Kai Wang, Chundong Yang, Xin Xu, Chenhuan Lai, Daihui Zhang, Qiang Yong
Summary: In this study, ethanol organosolv lignins were used as representatives of surface lignins, and the effects of adding 2-naphthol in organosolv pretreatment were investigated. The results showed that 2-naphthol modification remarkably eliminated the negative effects of lignins and promoted enzymatic hydrolysis.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ali Oguz Buyukkileci, Nuran Temelli
Summary: Xylan, a renewable polysaccharide abundant in agricultural and forestry residues, can be hydrolyzed to produce xylooligosaccharides (XOS) and xylose. This study evaluated the use of organosolv pretreatment on corncob to retain xylan while removing lignin. The findings showed that treating corncob with 70% ethanol at 170 degrees C for 1 hour resulted in 50% lignin removal and 81% xylan recovery. Xylan digestibility and the production of xylose and XOS were achieved through enzymatic hydrolysis using commercial xylanases. The efficient utilization of xylan in lignocellulosic biorefineries can enhance sustainability.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Xin Xu, Kai Wang, Yubo Zhou, Chenhuan Lai, Daihui Zhang, Changlei Xia, Arivalagan Pugazhendhi
Summary: In this study, three green solvents (GVL, THF, 2-MTHF) were used for organosolv pretreatment of softwood (masson pine), and compared with ethanol pretreatment. The results showed that GVL pretreatment achieved the highest lignin removal ratio of 87.2% and the highest glucose yield of 76.8% in enzymatic hydrolysis. The interactions between solvent-lignin, as well as the properties of organosolv lignins, were evaluated and analyzed.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Wenyao Tong, Qiulu Chu, Jin Li, Xinyu Xie, Jing Wang, Yongcan Jin, Shufang Wu, Jinguang Hu, Kai Song
Summary: The key to maximizing the benefits of renewable lignocellulosic biomass lies in developing sustainable and cost-effective fractionation technologies for lignocellulosic components. In this study, two approaches were used to modify lignin properties and enhance the utilization of lignocellulose biomass. The addition of 2-naphthol during dilute acid pretreatment effectively reduced lignin repolymerization and mitigated lignin inhibition, leading to increased cellulose hydrolysis yield. Furthermore, a second-stage treatment with acid-chlorite or poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether selectively oxidized/block phenolic groups of lignin, further improving cellulose hydrolysis. The modified lignin residues were used as adsorbents for lead ions removal, and xylose was utilized for xylonic acid production. The results demonstrate that a biorefinery process based on dilute acid pretreatment and post-treatment can enable the comprehensive utilization of renewable lignocellulosic biomass.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wuhuan Li, Xuesong Tan, Changlin Miao, Zhanying Zhang, Yunxuan Wang, Arthur J. Ragauskas, Xinshu Zhuang
Summary: This study utilized acetone/phenoxyethanol/water (APW) solutions to pretreat sugarcane bagasse and improve sugar production in enzymatic hydrolysis. The optimal pretreatment conditions were determined to be 125 degrees C-120 min, 0.17 M H2SO4, and a liquid-solid ratio of 15, resulting in high lignin removal and cellulose digestibility. The APW process also showed effective fractionation of other biomass feedstocks, such as pine, corn stalk, and bamboo.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Khanitta Nunui, Piyarat Boonsawang, Sumate Chaiprapat, Boonya Charnnok
Summary: This study developed a method of pretreatment using acid wastewater to enhance the conversion of rubberwood waste into fermentable sugar and ethanol, which showed significant advantages in improving fermentable sugar concentration and yield, as well as reducing water utilization, wastewater generation, and energy consumption in ethanol production. The organosolv pretreatment demonstrated the best performance in enhancing the conversion efficiency of rubberwood waste, indicating its potential for guiding lignocellulosic ethanol production in collaboration with latex factories.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Li Xu, Aiting Zhang, Ruijie Liao, Yuxia Pang, Dongjie Yang, Hongming Lou, Xueqing Qiu
Summary: By synthesizing a cationic copolymer, cellulase adsorption onto lignin surface can be effectively obstructed, leading to enhanced glucose release. The copolymers show versatility in different enzyme preparations, acid-treated lignocellulosic substrates, and solid saccharification systems, while also achieving enzyme saving. Mechanistically, the copolymer attenuates irreversible binding between lignin and cellulase and exerts a positive influence on enzyme activity.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yongcan Jin, Shuang Qi, Bo Jiang, Caoxing Huang
Summary: As the number of diabetes cases continues to rise, there is a growing need for effective management of diabetes and its effects. This study investigated the effects of sulfonated lignin with varying sulfonation degrees on the inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase and the proliferation of intestinal beneficial bacteria in vitro. The results showed that sulfonated lignin could inhibit the activity of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, suggesting its potential as a prebiotic for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Wenyao Tong, Huaxing Fang, Kai Song, Xinyu Xie, Jing Wang, Yongcan Jin, Shufang Wu, Jinguang Hu, Qiulu Chu
Summary: In this study, the addition of 2-naphthol-7-sulfonate and sodium bisulfite in acid pretreatment was found to synergistically increase cellulose hydrolysis yield. Physicochemical characteristics of cellulose played significant roles in improving hydrolysis yield.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Xinyu Zhang, Jing Tian, Peipei Wang, Tian Liu, Xiaomin Lu, Jiaqi Guo, Yongcan Jin, Huining Xiao, Junlong Song
Summary: The substitution degree (DS) of charged groups in a polymer has a significant impact on its adsorption behavior at the interface, which ultimately affects its applications and performance. This study investigates the adsorption behavior of quaternary celluloses (QCs) with different DS (0.23 and 0.51) on charged surfaces, particularly silica surface. The results reveal that QCs with lower DS can adsorb more onto the silica surface but with a softer conformation, while QCs with higher DS exhibit more negative ΔG, more negative ΔH, slightly lower positive ΔS, and less favorable ΔC-p, indicating the substantial influence of DS on the adsorption behavior and thermodynamics of QCs.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tingwei Zhang, Haiying Wei, Yongcan Jin, Huining Xiao
Summary: In this study, Sn-doped dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (sn-xDMS) were synthesized and used as catalysts for the isomerization of glucose to HMF. The addition of Sn species onto the silica matrix increased the densities of Lewis acid sites and improved the catalytic performance. Furthermore, sulfonated sn-20DMS (sn-20DMS-SO3H) with enhanced Bronsted acidity exhibited higher catalytic selectivity towards HMF and showed good recyclability.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Penghui Li, Xiaoyu Li, Zhengwei Jiang, Xuewen Xu, Yongcan Jin, Wenjuan Wu
Summary: Lignin degradation can produce various products with different applications. Despite being abundant, lignin's high molecular weight and stable properties hinder its development. Acid-catalyzed degradation, especially DES catalytic degradation, is a promising and environmentally friendly method. This study focuses on the degradation mechanism and effect of the formic acid-choline chloride DES system on alkaline lignin. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and H-1-NMR spectroscopy show an increase in phenolic hydroxyl content after degradation, indicating the cleavage of beta-O-4 ether bonds in the macromolecular structure. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) reveals low molecular weight and low dispersibility of the degraded lignin. The depolymerization process shows a competitive relationship between repolymerization and degradation reactions. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identifies propanoic acid ethyl ester, acetic acid butyl ester, 2-methoxy-4-propyl phenol, 2-methoxy phenol, and apocynin as the main components in lignin oil.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Lianman Xu, Jinzhu Zhang, Rixin Guo, Tianhao Li, Zhijiao Qin, Aiwen Wang, Jiquan Sheng, Yonghui Xiao, Jianqiang Chen, Kunlun Liu
Summary: The sliding mechanism and key factors affecting the sliding performance of the overlap section of U-shaped steel supports were studied. An improved method for optimizing the sliding performance of the lap section was proposed to provide theoretical support for the design of stable and constant-resistance energy-absorbing supports. The frictional properties between the contact surfaces of the overlapped sections were found to be the key factors affecting the bearing capacity of the support.
ADVANCES IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ru Ma, Sandile Fakudze, Shuai Liu, Yingyuan Wei, Jianqiang Chen, Jiangang Han, Chen Wang, Jiaxin Wang
Summary: This study investigated the catalytic effects of different surfactants on the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of pomelo peel. It was found that Span 80 and Tween 80 could significantly enhance the solid yield and heating value of the hydrochar. Co-firing the surfactant-catalyzed hydrochar with coal improved its combustibility and reduced the activation energy.
Article
Remote Sensing
Yunfeng Fan, Sijing Tian, Qinghong Sheng, Jun Li, Jianqiang Chen, Bo Wang, Jianguo Ma
Summary: In this study, a vehicle detection algorithm based on GL-CFAR and PRID RCNN is proposed to address the challenging issue of vehicle target detection under large scenes in SAR images. By combining traditional algorithms with deep learning algorithms, the algorithm achieves high accuracy and processing speed, as demonstrated by experimental results.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF REMOTE SENSING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Geological
Yarong Xue, Dazhao Song, Jianqiang Chen, Zhenlei Li, Xueqiu He, Honglei Wang, Chao Zhou, Aleksei Sobolev
Summary: This paper proposes a comprehensive spatial and temporal rockburst warning method based on the Mann-Kendall trend test and spatially smoothed seismicity model. The method evaluates rockburst risk in real-time and quantitatively, and assists mine personnel in making efficient and accurate rockburst prevention decisions. The proposed model considers the precursor information of rockburst evolution from time-space-strength multi-dimensionally, and has been successfully applied in the Wudong coal mine in Xinjiang, China.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS AND MINING SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Xin-Yang Ju, Peng-Nan Sun, Yan-Ming Shen, Jian-Qiang Chen, A. -Man Zhang
Summary: Researchers used the Delta+-SPH model to simulate and analyze the load and motion characteristics of a spacecraft ditching on water surface. They found that the attitude angles and impact velocities of the spacecraft have an influence on the slamming load and stability during the ditching process. It is important to carefully consider and avoid large inclination angles and vertical velocities to prevent overturning in engineering design.
Article
Business, Finance
Jianqiang Chen, Pei-Fang Hsieh, Kun Wang
Summary: This study examines the impact of infringement and counterfeiting on corporate innovation performance. A quasi-natural experiment is used to analyze the effects of the Chinese government's crackdown on intellectual property rights violations. The results show that after the implementation, companies in industries with high risk of intellectual property violations or imitation experience a significant increase in patent counts and citations, especially for financially strong and risk-taking firms. This event leads to increased R&D investment and a prioritization of invention patents over utility patents by firms.
FINANCE RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Correction
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
David W. Wei, Haiying Wei, Alec C. Gauthier, Junlong Song, Yongcan Jin, Huining Xiao
JOURNAL OF BIORESOURCES AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Meiling Chen, Jian-Qiang Chen, Zhengkai Chen, Jie Wu
Summary: A novel alkoxycarbonyl-radical-triggered cascade cyclization reaction has been developed for the preparation of ester-containing phenanthridines from N-(o-cyanobiaryl)acrylamides and alkyloxalyl chlorides under mild conditions. This strategy offers a broad substrate scope, metal-free conditions, and operational simplicity through photoredox-catalyzed alkoxycarbonyl radical addition/nitrile insertion/cyclization.
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meiling Chen, Wenyan Sun, Jingjing Yang, LuLu Yuan, Jian-Qiang Chen, Jie Wu
Summary: A general and environmentally friendly organic photo-induced strategy was developed for the synthesis of diverse alkyl-substituted beta-amino sulfone derivatives. Various carboxylic acid derivatives, from the simplest acetic acid to sterically bulky tertiary acids, can participate in this transformation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jing Tian, Jingqian Chen, Peipei Wang, Jiaqi Guo, Wenyuan Zhu, Mohammad Rizwan Khan, Yongcan Jin, Junlong Song, Orlando J. J. Rojas
Summary: This study aims to overcome the challenges posed by the chemical complexity, heterogeneity, and broad molecular mass distribution of technical lignins in their high-value utilization. A practical strategy involving sequential dissolution in solvents of different polarities was used to fractionate kraft lignin. By self-assembling lignin through the anti-solvent method, controllable surface energy particles were generated. The customization of lignin (size and wetting characteristics), based on the relationship between particle morphogenesis and oil-in-water (O/W) stabilization capacity, enabled its broader utilization in multiphase systems.