Extraction of lignin from lignocellulose at atmospheric pressure using alkylbenzenesulfonate ionic liquid

Extraction of lignin from lignocellulose at atmospheric pressure using alkylbenzenesulfonate ionic liquid was investigated. Lignin was effectively extracted from sugarcane bagasse using the ionic liquid. The initial step in delignification was hydrolytic fragmentation of the large lignin polymer, followed by solubilization of lignin fragments. The presence of water was important for the extraction of lignin. Lignin extraction increased with increasing reaction time from 30 minutes to 120 minutes for reaction at 190 degree C. The masses of recovered lignin were shown as a percentage of original lignin content in bagasse. The results showed that the maximum lignin extraction corresponded to a recovered lignin mass of 118 wt percent of the original lignin content.