The Role of Lignin Molecular Weight on Activated Carbon Pore Structure

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202407.2062.v1
• Publication Date: 2024-07-30T11:00:41Z
• Authors: Chengjun Wu; Junhuan Ding; Graham W Tindall; Zachariah A Pittman; Mark C Thies; Mark E Roberts
• Keywords: Lignocellulosic Biomass; Hydrothermal Carbonization; Carbon fibers; Specific surface area

Over the past decade, production of biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass has steadily increased to offset use fuels petroleum. To make cost-competitive, however, it is necessary add value “ligno-” components (up 30% by mass) biomass. The properties lignin, in terms molecular weight (MW), chemical functionality, and mineral impurities often vary source biorefinery process, resulting a challenging precursor for product development. Activated carbon (AC) feasible target lignin-rich byproduct streams because can be made nearly any market capacity large enough much lignin generated biorefineries. However, not known how variability affects key AC, until now, they could well controlled. In this work, various fractions ultraclean (< 0.6 % ash) are created with refined MW distributions using Aqueous Lignin Purification Hot Agents (ALPHA) used as precursors AC. AC synthesized via zinc chloride activation characterized pore structure adsorption capacity. We show that surface area increase when increasing MW, furthermore, reducing content significantly enhance properties. highest reach ~1830 m2/g (absorption capacity). Furthermore, single step carbonization allows minimal burnoff 30%) capturing most compared traditional burn off methods biorefineries heat generation.