Thursday, May 5, 2011: 10:30 AM
Grand Ballroom B, 2nd fl (Sheraton Seattle)
Ionic liquid (IL) pretreatment of biomass has been shown to significantly increase the yield of glucose after saccharification by altering the cellulose and lignin present. To date, a fundamental understanding of the mechanism by which these changes occur is not known. In this study, we employ thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to determine the impact of IL pretreatment on two of the primary biopolymers present in biomass – lignin and cellulose. IL pretreatment was carried out on model biomass components (Avicel, kraft lignin and low sulfonate alkali lignin) and on potential bioenergy feedstocks (switchgrass, pine and eucalyptus) at 160 and 120°C for 1, 3, 6 and 12 hrs. The recovered biomass was studied using TGA and DSC to understand the changes that occurs as a function of IL pretreatment. The TGA and the DSC results confirm the depolymerization and formation of lower molecular weight polymers as a result of IL pretreatment. The results also confirm the decrease in cellulose crystallinity in the biomass as a result of pretreatment. These results also provide some insight into the mode of depolymerization and breakdown of various components of biomass.