Hydrolysis of bamboo fiber cellulose in formic acid

Abstract

Bamboo fiber dissolution and hydrolysis in formic acid were studied. After hydrolysis, formic acid can be recovered in a clean state and reused. Solid water-soluble sugars were obtained. After being dipped into the formic acid solution for 30 min, the bamboo fibers started to swell. After one hour, the bamboo fibers gradually started to dissolve in the formic acid solution. The color of the liquor/solution turned green and dark. In the end, the bamboo fibers became thoroughly dissolved in the liquor after four hours. There was a clear hierarchical tissue structure on the fiber surface, as observed by AFM before treatment. The differential structure disappeared after 30 min of treatment. The fiber surface became plump and glossy. After six hours reaction at 60°C, the solid sugar mixture recovered contained glucose, cellobiose, cellotriose, cellotetrose, cellopentose and cellohexaose. A significant fraction of the sugar products consisted of monomeric glucose. More than 54.5% of the bamboo fiber mass had been transformed into monomeric glucose.

Keywords

bamboo fibers / cellulose / formic acid / hydrolysis / dissolution, sugars