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Towards Biomimicking Wood: Fabricated Free-standing Films of Nanocellulose, Lignin, and a Synthetic Polycation
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Molecular Insight into the Cosolvent Effect on Lignin-Cellulose Adhesion
Sonia Milena Aguilera-Segura1, Francesco Di Renzo1, Tzonka Mineva1
1ICGM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|November 17, 2020
Summary
Binary organic-aqueous solvents effectively disrupt lignin-cellulose binding in organosolv processes. Ethanol and acetonitrile compete with water for cellulose sites, reducing lignin adhesion through synergistic solvent effects.
Area of Science:
- Biomass processing
- Green chemistry
- Materials science
Background:
- Lignin adsorption on cellulose pulp impacts organosolv process efficiency.
- Controlling lignin-cellulose interactions is crucial for process optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of binary organic-aqueous solvents on lignin-cellulose interactions.
- To compare the effects of ethanol and acetonitrile as cosolvents in aqueous solutions.
Main Methods:
- Molecular dynamics simulations were employed.
- Analyzed solvation shells around cellulose and lignin.
- Calculated energetics of lignin-cellulose adhesion.
Main Results:
- Binary solvents more effectively disrupt lignin-cellulose binding than monocomponent solvents.
- Ethanol and acetonitrile compete with water for cellulose binding sites.
- Organic cosolvents modulate water exclusion from cellulose solvation shells.
Conclusions:
- Synergistic solvent effects enhance disruption of lignin-cellulose complexes.
- The degree of disruption depends on cosolvent type and concentration.
- Understanding these interactions is key for optimizing organosolv processes.
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