(570n) Neutron Scattering Insight into Behavior of Lignin in ?-Valerolactone (GVL)

Lignocellulosic biomass is a key renewable source for producing energy, chemicals, and materials, with lignin valorization central to enhancing biorefinery outcomes. However, efficiently harnessing lignin is complex. Organosolv pretreatment, which isolates lignin from biomass, optimizes the conversion of carbohydrates into valuable products. γ-Valerolactone (GVL), notable for its effectiveness in dissolving lignin, low operational pressure, and sustainability, significantly improves the quality of extracted lignin and carbohydrate processing efficiency. Utilizing Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS), this study examines how GVL influences lignin's behavior, focusing on the effect of lignin’s molecular structure and processing conditions. Our goal is to understand the relationship between lignin's structure and its solubility in GVL, with a particular emphasis on how temperature impacts its potential for deconstruction via porous heterogeneous catalysis.