Optimization of ethanol-extracted lignin from palm fiber by response surface methodology and preparation of activated carbon fiber for dehumidification

Abstract

Lignin is a renewable bioresource that can be used for a variety of value-added applications. However, the effective separation of lignin from lignocellulosic biomass remains an ongoing challenge. In this study, lignin was extracted from waste palm fiber and successfully converted into a dehumidifying material. The following four process parameters of lignin extraction from palm fiber were optimized systematically and comprehensively using the response surface methodology: reaction time, extraction temperature, ethanol concentration and solid/liquid ratio. The results revealed that under the optimum processing conditions (111 min of extraction at 174 °C using 73% ethanol at 1/16 g/mL solid/liquid ratio), the extraction yield of lignin was 56.2%. The recovery of ethanol solvent was as high as 91.8%. Further, the lignin could be directly used without purification to produce lignin-based activated carbon fibers (LACFs) with specific surface area and total pore volume of 1375 m²/g and 0.881 cm³/g, respectively. Compared with the commercial pitch-based activated carbon fiber, the LACF has a higher specific area and superior pore structure parameters. This work provides a feasible route for extracting lignin from natural palm fiber and demonstrates its use in the preparation of activated carbon fiber with a remarkable performance as a solid dehumidification agent.

Keywords

Palm fiber / Lignin extraction / Organic solvent / Response surface methodology / Solvent recycling / Lignin-based activated carbon fiber / Water vapor adsorption

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(21965040)

Science Research Foundation of Yunnan Education Bureau(2021Y492)