Article
Agricultural Engineering
Wenchao Jia, Haiqiang Shi, Xueru Sheng, Yanzhu Guo, Pedram Fatehi, Meihong Niu
Summary: Enzymatic hydrolysis is a widely used method to convert biomass into biofuels. This study focused on the role of lignin produced during the autohydrolysis process in the enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass. The findings showed that as the hydrolysis intensity increased, the content of beta-O-4 in lignin decreased while the content of beta-5, beta-beta, and S/G ratio increased. The study also found that the phenolic content of lignin influenced the adsorption of cellulase enzyme and its activity in hydrolyzing cellulose microcrystals.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xiaohui Guo, Yingjuan Fu, Fengshan Zhang, Xiaoliang Li, Na Liu
Summary: Autohydrolysis of wood chips effectively pre-extracts hemicelluloses, increasing the porosity and hydrophilicity of the wood chips for better accessibility of remaining components to alkali solution.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Qiulin Yang, Yunjing Chen, Shiyun Yu, Qingxi Hou, Ming Wu, Tongbao Jiang, Kaiqing Wang, Wei Liu
Summary: In this study, poplar wood chips were subjected to autohydrolysis pretreatment to make chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP). The changes in lignin structure and bleachability of CTMP were investigated. The results showed that the contents of conjugated carbonyl and quinone groups in lignin structure were negatively correlated with CTMP bleachability, with conjugated carbonyl groups having a greater impact. This work is important for the application of autohydrolysis in poplar CTMP pulping and bleaching processes.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Lili Zhang, Jingjing Chu, Shaheng Gou, Yujie Chen, Yimin Fan, Zhiguo Wang
Summary: The study introduces an energy-efficient DES pulping technology for direct fractionation of wood chips, reducing pretreatment time and providing an efficient method for wood chips enzymatic hydrolysis. The DES pulping process can selectively dissolve lignin and achieve high cellulose saccharification ratios, especially at a cooking temperature of 140 degrees C. Mechanical treatment can further improve the saccharification efficiency of DES-Pulps prepared at low cooking temperatures.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ziqiang Liu, Chunpeng Han, Qiushi Li, Xiaolong Li, Haiqing Zhou, Xiao Song, Fajin Zu
Summary: Wood-cement composites have advantages of high flexural strength, toughness, and impact resistance. However, the interface bonding between wood chips and cement matrix is poor due to the inhibition of cement hydration caused by components in the wood chips like hemicellulose and lignin. In this study, alkali cooking and silane coupling agent treatment were used to modify wood chips, effectively improving the inter-facial properties between wood chips and cement matrix and enhancing the mechanical properties of the composites.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Alba Perez-Perez, Beatriz Gullon, Alvaro Lobato-Rodriguez, Gil Garrote, Pablo G. del Rio
Summary: Microwave-assisted autohydrolysis is a suitable technology for producing oligosaccharides and phenolics with prebiotic and antioxidant activities from Robinia pseudoacacia wood. Under optimal conditions, high efficiency in terms of oligosaccharide and phenolic compound content and energy consumption was achieved. The analysis also identified 17 phytochemicals in the solubilized hemicelluloses.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Jingqian Chen, Rodger P. Beatson, Kenny Tam, Paul Bicho, Heather L. Trajano
Summary: This study compared the effects of mild pre-hydrolysis kraft pulping and conventional kraft pulping on commercial softwood chips. The results showed that pre-hydrolysis increased the yield of hemicelluloses oligomers when the chip thickness was less than 2 mm, while it resulted in a significant decrease in fiber quality when the chip thickness was greater than 6 mm. Pre-hydrolysis followed by kraft pulping enhanced delignification without significant reduction in fiber length and width.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Zhenhua Su, Xiaolu Chen, Yinchun Liang, Jianping Ni, Chen Gong, Shujie Fan, Yu Zhang, Bin Yang, Hongjie Zhang, Feng Peng
Summary: The autohydrolysis process of eucalyptus hemicelluloses was studied, and the feasibility of efficient extraction and utilization of hemicellulose was demonstrated.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Roselini Trapp Kruger, Aline Alberti, Paulo Ricardo Los, Egon Schnitzler, Alessandro Nogueira
Summary: This study investigated the effect of ultrasound treatment on the extraction of phenolic compounds from wood chips in apple liqueur. The results showed that the apple liqueur pre-treated with an ultrasonic probe had higher levels of phenolic compounds, greater antioxidant activity, and increased color difference.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Alba Perez-Perez, Pablo G. Del-Rio, Alvaro Lobato-Rodriguez, Gil Garrote, Beatriz Gullon
Summary: This study used environmentally friendly processes, MAA and DES, to selectively fractionate RW in a biorefinery approach. MAA enabled the recovery of 76% hemicelluloses in the form of oligomers. The optimal delignification conditions with DES choline chloride and lactic acid achieved delignification ratios up to 86%. The cellulosic-rich solid fraction after delignification was valorized through bioethanol production and cellulose nanocrystal extraction.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fei Wang, Maoliang Hu, Bo Jiang, Zesheng Ji
Summary: In this study, Al-5Ti-1B master alloys were prepared by reacting Ti chips and KBF4 with aluminum melt, showing that the optimal reaction temperature and time are 1173 K and 90 min, respectively. The efficiency of recovering Ti using machining Ti chips is higher, and reducing the radius of Ti chips is an effective way to shorten the reaction time.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Pablo G. del Rio, Alba Perez-Perez, Gil Garrote, Beatriz Gullon
Summary: Microwave hydrothermal treatment (MHT) is a sustainable technology for the valorization of lignocellulosic materials by solubilizing hemicellulosic-derived compounds into oligosaccharides. The spent solids from MHT and conventional hydrothermal treatment (CHT) showed different enzymatic digestibility, with MHT consuming less energy than CHT.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Geology
Bastien Wild, Gwenael Imfeld, Damien Daval
Summary: This study quantitatively estimated in situ silicate weathering rates accounting for microbially induced dissolution and identified microbial actors associated with weathering. Fungi colonizing olivine samples in Mg-deficient forest soil were found to contribute up to 16% of the weathering flux after 9 months of incubation. The research provides new insights into improving elemental budgets in natural settings.
Article
Polymer Science
Elmira Kaffashsaei, Hossein Yousefi, Takashi Nishino, Takuya Matsumoto, Mahdi Mashkour, Mehrab Madhoushi
Summary: Microstructure-free, strong, binderless, all-wooden nanocomposites were fabricated from paulownia raw wood through chemomechanical processes. The density of the nanocomposites increased significantly compared to the raw wood. Various analytical techniques confirmed the effectiveness of the chemical treatments on the nanocomposites.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alok Dhaundiyal, Divine Atsu
Summary: A pilot size reactor was tested to examine its design suitability for effective gas generation. The thermal efficiency and chemical exergy of the reactor were calculated for different temperature ranges, showing higher efficiency for higher temperatures and dried biomass. The study aims to provide a clean energy generation method by improving the exergetic content of the reactor.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ashley J. Holding, Jingwen Xia, Michael Hummel, Harry Zwiers, Matti Leskinen, Daniel Rico del Cerro, Sami Hietala, Martin Nieger, Marianna Kemell, Jussi K. J. Helminen, Vladimir Aseyev, Heikki Tenhu, Ilkka Kilpelainen, Alistair W. T. King
Summary: Cellulose solvents composed of binary mixtures of molecular solvents and ionic liquids have been identified. They can rapidly dissolve cellulose to high concentration and exhibit thermodynamic behavior similar to upper-critical solution temperature (UCST) upon cooling and micro phase-separation, forming approximately spherical microparticle particle-gel mixtures. This process is entropy-dominant and controllable by temperature change.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Dana Moravcova, Josef Planeta, Pavel Karasek, Alistair W. T. King, Susanne K. Wiedmer
Summary: This study presents a silica-based monolithic stationary phase grafted with trioctyl(3/4-vinylbenzyl)phosphonium chloride ([P-888vBn ]Cl), which possesses favorable morphology, composition, and selectivity. The resulting ionic liquid (IL)-based capillary column demonstrates unique separation selectivity compared to conventional stationary phases and exhibits high efficiency.
JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY A
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Antti Korpela, Atsushi Tanaka, Alistair W. T. King
Summary: Chemical crosslinking is a common method for improving the wet performance of paper, but the use of glyoxal, citric acid, or BTCA as crosslinking agents tends to make paper more brittle. This study investigated the use of methylated mDMDHEU as a crosslinking agent for Nordic bleached softwood kraft pulp. The results showed that crosslinking with mDMDHEU significantly increased the wet strength and reduced water absorption of the handsheets without sacrificing their flexibility, suggesting that mDMDHEU could be a more suitable crosslinking agent for enhancing the wet performance of paper products.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Karlsson, Joakim Romson, Thomas Elder, Asa Emmer, Martin Lawoko
Summary: There is a need for well-defined lignin macro-molecules in biomaterial and biochemical applications, leading to lignin biorefining efforts. Understanding the molecular structure of native and biorefinery lignins is crucial for extraction mechanisms and chemical properties. This study investigated the reactivity of lignin during a cyclic organosolv extraction process using physical protection strategies, providing insights into lignin polymerization and intramolecular condensation reactions. State-of-the-art NMR analysis and MALDI-TOF MS, along with computational modeling, were used for deeper lignin studies.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Lukas Fliri, Katja Heise, Tetyana Koso, Aleksandar R. Todorov, Daniel Rico del Cerro, Sami Hietala, Juha Fiskari, Ilkka Kilpelaeinen, Michael Hummel, Alistair W. T. King
Summary: Due to its high sustainable production capacity, cellulose is a valuable feedstock for developing more sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel-based materials. Chemical analysis of cellulose remains challenging, with current analytical techniques falling behind the development of proposed materials science applications. Tetralkylphosphonium ionic liquids (ILs) have shown advantageous properties for direct solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of crystalline cellulose.
Article
Polymer Science
Petri Widsten, Satu Salo, Tuula Hakkarainen, Thu Lam Nguyen, Marc Borrega, Olesya Fearon
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the structures and functional properties of tannin- and lignin-derived nanoparticles and microparticles, as well as the coatings made from them. The nanoparticles prepared from lignins with low molar mass showed effective antibacterial activity against MRSA bacteria, while tannin nanoparticles exhibited good antibacterial activity in suspension testing and as coatings on cellulose. Nitrogen-modified tannin nanoparticles and small microparticles of nitrogen-modified kraft lignin showed promising flame-retardant parameters as coatings on cellulose. These findings demonstrate the potential of unmodified and chemically modified polyphenol particles for functional coatings in environments with high hygiene and fire safety requirements.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ilona Leppanen, Suvi Arola, Alistair W. T. King, Miriam Unger, Hartmut Stadler, Gry Sofie Nissen, Charlotte Zborowski, Tommi Virtanen, Juha Salmela, Harri Setala, Stephanie Lesage, Monika Osterberg, Tekla Tammelin
Summary: This study evaluates the potential of combining cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) for filament formation by tuning and characterizing their interactions and studying the alignment of the mixtures under shear. The interactions and compatibility of the two components are investigated using QCM-D and AFM-IR, which show that ionic interactions induce sufficient binding. Shear-induced polarized light imaging indicates that silk can orientate with the CNCs when not covalently bound. The materials' potential for filament formation is tentatively demonstrated using an industrial dry-spinning environment.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ioanna Sapouna, Gijs van Erven, Emelie Heidling, Martin Lawoko, Lauren Sara McKee
Summary: Understanding the structure of hardwoods can optimize the extraction of lignin, which has different structural features depending on the extraction method used. The presence of ether- and ester-type lignin-carbohydrate complexes also affects lignin extractability.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Iuliana Ribca, Benedikt Sochor, Stephan V. V. Roth, Martin Lawoko, Michael A. R. Meier, Mats Johansson
Summary: In this study, technical Kraft lignin was fractionated using a sequential solvent fractionation method, and then most of the hydroxyl groups were allylated to obtain highly functional thermoset resins. The lignin fractions exhibited a high degree of functionalization on phenolic (≥95%) and carboxylic acid (≥85%) hydroxyl groups, as well as a significant level of functionalization on aliphatic hydroxyl moieties (43-75%). Thiol-ene chemistry was employed to cross-link the resins, resulting in a high cross-link density due to the abundant allyl functionalities. The performance of these thermosets, with a glass transition temperature (T(g)) between 81 and 95 °C and a storage modulus between 1.9 and 3.8 GPa, was strongly influenced by the thioether content, which is directly related to the allyl content. Morphology at the nanoscale of the lignin fractions and lignin-based thermosets was investigated using wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements, revealing the presence of sandwich (4.1-4.7 Å) and T-shaped (5.5-7.2 Å) π-π stacking interactions. The introduction of allyl functionalities weakened the T-shaped π-π stacking interactions. A new signal, corresponding to a distance of approximately 3.5 Å, was observed in lignin-based thermosets, which was attributed to a thioether organized structure. Additionally, a lignin superstructure with a distance/size corresponding to 7.9-17.5 Å was observed in all samples.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ievgen. Pylypchuk, Maria Karlsson, Par A. Linden, Mikael. E. Lindstrom, Thomas Elder, Olena Sevastyanova, Martin Lawoko
Summary: Studies have found that the size of lignin nanoparticle (LNP) is determined by the molecular weight (M-w) of lignin. However, a deeper understanding of the role of molecular structure in LNP formation and its properties is needed to establish a solid foundation for structure-property relationships. This study demonstrates that, for lignins with similar M-w, the size and morphology of LNPs depend on the molecular structure of the lignin macromolecule. The molecular structure determines the molecular conformations, which in turn affect the inter-molecular assembly, resulting in differences in size and morphology between LNPs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aleksandar R. Todorov, Alistair W. T. King, Ilkka Kilpeläinen
Summary: A sustainable homogeneous transesterification protocol using [mTBNH][OAc] and unactivated methyl esters has been developed to prepare cellulose esters with controllable degree of substitution. The superbase ionic liquid [mTBNH][OAc] can be recycled with high purity for repeated use, allowing not only activated or cyclic esters but also unactivated methyl esters for cellulose transesterification reactions, thus expanding the substrate and application scope. Furthermore, the solubility properties of the prepared cellulose materials were tested, revealing some intrinsic trends at low degrees of substitution.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Katja Heise, Tetyana Koso, Alistair W. T. King, Tiina Nypelo, Paavo Penttila, Blaise L. Tardy, Marco Beaumont
Summary: This article discusses the influence and role of chemical modifications on nanocelluloses in materials science. By studying the multiscale hierarchy of cellulose fibers, innovative nanoparticles can be prepared, improving the properties of materials.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guillermo Reyes, Alistair W. T. King, Tetyana Koso, Paavo A. Penttila, Harri Kosonen, Orlando J. Rojas
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between cellulose crystallization and aggregation, including interfibrillar interactions, shear forces, and local changes in medium acidity. The study combines various analytical methods to reveal the fundamental factors that limit cellulose gelation and maximize its dissolution, leading to the development of green and environmentally friendly cellulose-based materials.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tetyana Koso, Marco Beaumont, Blaise L. Tardy, Daniel Rico del Cerro, Samuel Eyley, Wim Thielemans, Orlando J. Rojas, Ilkka Kilpelainen, Alistair W. T. King
Summary: Gas-phase acylation is an attractive and sustainable method for modifying the surface properties of cellulosics. Through advanced analytics, it has been found that this reaction shows high regioselectivity for the C6-OH and preserves the crystalline structure and supramolecular morphology of cellulose.
Correction
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maria Karlsson, Vijaya Lakshmi Vegunta, Raghu Deshpande, Martin Lawoko
Summary: The article presents a study on protected lignin biorefining through cyclic extraction, gaining fundamental insights into the tunable properties of lignin using chemometrics.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xuemei Liu, Chaonan Cui, Shuoshuo Wei, Jinyu Han, Xinli Zhu, Qingfeng Ge, Hua Wang
Summary: This study presents a new strategy for designing efficient photocatalysts that can convert CO2 into hydrocarbons by utilizing synergistic catalytic sites. The findings provide a solution for the selective photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CH4.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chengxian Hu, Dan Wang, Lu Wang, Ying Fu, Zhengyin Du
Summary: A novel one-pot, three-component reaction conducted under electrochemical conditions was studied. The reaction involved 2-aminothiophenols, aldehydes, and malononitrile, using TBABF4 as an electrolyte and CuI as a catalyst. The proposed reaction mechanism suggested that CuI served as an electron relay. This method offers simplified operation, high atom economy, and mild reaction conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhi Yang, Yu Chen, Linxi Wan, Yuxiao Li, Dan Chen, Jianlin Tao, Pei Tang, Fen-Er Chen
Summary: A highly enantioselective method for the complete hydrogenation of pyrimidinium salts using Ir/(S,S)-f-Binaphane complex as the catalyst was developed. This method provides easy access to fully saturated chiral hexahydropyrimidines, which are prevalent in many bioactive molecules. The reactions exhibit high yields and enantioselectivities under mild reaction conditions without additives. Successful application of this methodology in a continuous flow fashion further extends its practical utility.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tina Jeoh, Jennifer Danger Nill, Wujun Zhao, Sankar Raju Narayanasamy, Liang Chen, Hoi-Ying N. Holman
Summary: In this study, the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose was investigated using real-time infrared spectromicroscopy. The spatial heterogeneity of cellulose was found to impact the hydrolysis kinetics. Hydration affected cellulose ordering, and Cel7A preferentially removed less extensively hydrogen bonded cellulose.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tiphaine Richard, Walid Abdallah, Xavier Trivelli, Mathieu Sauthier, Clement Dumont
Summary: An effective method of grafting functionalities onto lignin based on glycerol carbonate has been developed using an efficient nickel-catalysed telomerisation reaction. This method allows lignin to have new reactive functions and reduces the glass transition temperatures of modified lignins, thereby expanding the application range of lignin-based resins.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jing Qi, Xiyan Wang, Gan Wang, Srinivas Reddy Dubbaka, Patrick ONeill, Hwee Ting Ang, Jie Wu
Summary: This study presents a green and environmentally friendly approach for the synthesis of imides using electrocatalytic oxidation with H2O as the oxygen source. The method eliminates the need for toxic or expensive oxidants and achieves high yields under mild reaction conditions. It shows broad substrate compatibility and potential for industrial applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Babasaheb Sopan Gore, Lin-Wei Pan, Jun-Hao Lin, Yi-Chi Luo, Jeh-Jeng Wang
Summary: Here, we report a visible light-promoted intramolecular radical cascade reaction for the construction of fluorenol and naphthalene-fused cyclopropyl carbaldehyde derivatives. This method offers mild reaction conditions, a broad substrate scope, excellent step efficiency, and scalability, without the need for external chemical oxidants. The novelty of this protocol was demonstrated by synthesizing chrysene analogs and performing late-stage functionalizations.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Juho Antti Sirvio, Idamaria Romakkaniemi, Juha Ahola, Svitlana Filonenko, Juha P. Heiskanen, Ari Ammala
Summary: This article discusses the method of using supramolecular interaction between an aromatic hydrogen bond donor and lignin to achieve rapid delignification of softwood at low temperatures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yunyan Meng, Chunxiang Pan, Na Liu, Hongjiang Li, Zixiu Liu, Yao Deng, Zixiang Wei, Jianbin Xu, Baomin Fan
Summary: A novel visible light-driven synthesis method for 2,3-diamines has been developed, which has mild conditions, avoids the use of metal reagents, and can synthesize diamines and diols in one pot.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mingqing Huang, Haiyang Huang, Mengyao You, Xinxin Zhang, Longgen Sun, Chao Chen, Zhichao Mei, Ruchun Yang, Qiang Xiao
Summary: A direct air-oxidized strategy for the synthesis of benzo[b]phosphole oxides was developed in this study. Arylphosphine oxides were transformed into phosphinoyl radicals, which were further combined with various alkynes to achieve the desired products. DFT calculations revealed the mechanism of phosphinoyl radical formation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anwei Wang, Jiayin Huang, Chunsheng Zhao, Yu Fan, Junfeng Qian, Qun Chen, Mingyang He, Weiyou Zhou
Summary: This study demonstrates an innovative strategy for the aerobic oxidation of C(sp(3))-H bonds using gamma-valerolactone. By optimizing the reaction conditions and utilizing specific catalysts, efficient oxidation of C(sp(3))-H bonds is achieved with good chemoselectivity in certain cases.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shun Li, Likai Tong, Zhijian Peng, Bo Zhang, Xiuli Fu
Summary: Sulfide compounds show promise as electrocatalysts for water splitting, but their performance is limited by factors such as limited active sites and hindered substance transport. This study successfully prepared a high-entropy sulfide (ZnCoMnFeAlMg)(9)S-8, which reduced grain size and increased specific surface area, enabling the realization of a dual-functional catalyst with multiple catalytic sites. High entropy also modulated the electronic properties of sulfides, reducing the potential energy barrier for hydrolysis. This research introduces a new approach for functionalizing high entropy nanomaterials and improves the performance of water splitting catalysts.
