Experimental optimization and theoretical analysis of lignin extraction from furfural residue by deep eutectic solvent method
摘要
This study achieved valorization of furfural residue through lignin extraction using deep eutectic solvents (DES). The process was optimized by orthogonal experiments, yielding up to 19.16% of lignin with a low molecular weight (879 g/mol) and polydispersity index (PDI = 1.32). The parameter hierarchy was determined as extraction temperature > solid to liquid ratio > the types of hydrogen bond donor (HBD) > the molar ratio of hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) to HBD > extraction time. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations further revealed that temperature was the predominant factor governing hydrogen bond (H-bond) reorganization between DES and lignin. Temperature, HBD type, and the molar ratio of HBA/HBD were all found to modulate the strength of DES-Lignin H-bonds. MD simulations confirmed the hierarchy of H-bond regulatory effects as temperature > the types of HBD > the molar ratio of HBA/HBD. This confirms the consistency between experimental and simulated results. Elevated temperature significantly shortened H-bond distance between DES and lignin from 2.33 to 1.91 Å, enhanced H-bond strength and increased the molecular diffusion coefficient (from 0.64 Å2/ps to 0.90 Å2/ps). The synergistic effect of these effects facilitates the dissolution of lignin. The type of HBD directly influenced the binding energy (BDE) between DES and lignin, the BDE trend showed BDEChCl-Gly-Lignin < BDEChCl-Eg-Lignin < BDEChCl-Ac-Lignin. This study establishes a rational design framework for DES systems, emphasizing the prioritization of regulating competitive molecular interactions over the pursuit of dissolution capacity alone.
Graphical abstract