(376d) Conversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass to Value-Added Chemicals and Materials in Inorganic Ionic Liquid (molten salt hydrate)

Molten salt hydrate (MSH) is a concentrated aqueous solution of an inorganic salt, in which the molar ratio of water to salt is close to the coordination number of the salt cation. Because MSH has similar properties to the ionic liquid, it is also called inorganic ionic liquid. The unique properties (such as low viscosity, high boiling point, low vapor pressure, enhanced acidity, and in particular the ability to dissolve cellulose) make it an efficient solvent and reaction medium for the processing and conversion biomass of lignocellulosic biomass. This presentation is to review our recent studies on the applications of LiBr molten salt hydrate (~61 wt% LiBr aqueous solution) in the fractionation of lignocellulose, hydrolysis and saccharification of cellulose and lignocellulosic biomass for sugar production, depolymerization and demethylation of lignin, quantitation of lignin and carbohydrates in biomass, synthesis of high-value chemicals and products (e.g., isomerization of glucose to fructose, furan-based chemicals, and prebiotic oligosaccharides) from simple sugars and biomass, and fabrication of cellulose nanocrystals, films, and aerogels from cellulose and biomass.