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Document Type
Thesis - University Access Only
Award Date
2015
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Chemistry and Biochemistry
First Advisor
Douglas E. Raynie
Abstract
Lignin is a very complex heterogeneous biopolymer present in the secondary cell wall of vascular plants. Lignin is biologically significant for plants and also a potential alternate source of value-added chemicals and renewable energy. In spite of its importance, complete understanding of the lignin structure is not known. Understanding the lignin structure and macromolecular characteristics is significant for proper utilization, such as in depolymerization to value-added aromatic compounds. In our research, thermal properties and degradation behavior of the two commercial lignins (Kraft pine lignin (Indulin AT, Mead Westvaco) and Alkali lignin (Sigma-Aldrich)) were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Structural characterization was performed using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR), and elemental analysis. Cupric oxide oxidation was used to selectively degrade the lignin into its monomers (H/G/S-moieties). The results suggested that these selected lignins were structurally similar and mainly composed of G-type monomers. In addition, lignin samples were reacted using a high temperature hydrotreatment with subcritical and carbon-supported metal oxide (CoO, LaO, MoO) catalysts. Seventeen methoxyphenols were observed in the product mixture. xv MoO was found to give the best performance among the catalysts, in terms of the number of methoxyphenol compounds produced and their relative amount.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Lignin
Lignin--Thermal properties
Description
Includes bibliographical references (pages 90-92)
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
118
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Recommended Citation
Amit, Tanvir, "Characterization and High-Temperature Hydrotreatment of Lignin Using Carbon-Loaded Catalysts" (2015). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1755.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/1755
Rights Statement
