Optimization of OPEFB lignocellulose transformation process through ionic liquid [TEA][HSO4] based pretreatment

• Published in: Scientific reports 2021-05, Vol.11 (1), p.11338-11338, Article 11338
• Main Authors: Nurdin, Muhammad, Abimanyu, Haznan, Putriani, Hadijah, Setiawan, L. O. M. Idal, Maulidiyah, Maulidiyah, Wibowo, Dwiprayogo, Ansharullah, Ansharullah, Natsir, Muh, Salim, La Ode Agus, Arham, Zul, Mustapa, Faizal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 639/638/11; 639/638/224/907; 639/638/675; Cellulose; Humanities and Social Sciences; Hydrogen; Lignocellulose; Melting point; multidisciplinary; Optimization; Renewable energy; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Sulfur dioxide
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90891-3

Research on the transformation of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFB) through pretreatment process using ionic liquid triethylammonium hydrogen sulphate (IL [TEA][HSO 4 ]) was completed. The stages of the transformation process carried out were the synthesis of IL with the one-spot method, optimization of IL composition and pretreatment temperature, and IL recovery. The success of the IL synthesis stage was analyzed by FTIR, H-NMR and TGA. Based on the results obtained, it showed that IL [TEA][HSO 4 ] was successfully synthesized. This was indicated by the presence of IR absorption at 1/λ = 2814.97 cm −1 , 1401.07 cm −1 , 1233.30 cm −1 and 847.92 cm −1 which were functional groups for NH, CH 3 , CN and SO 2 , respectively. These results were supported by H-NMR data at δ (ppm) = 1.217–1.236 (N–CH 2 –CH 3 ), 3.005–3.023 (–H), 3.427–3.445 (N–H + ) and 3.867 (N + H 3 ). The TGA results showed that the melting point and decomposition temperature of the IL were 49 °C and 274.3 °C, respectively. Based on pretreatment optimization, it showed that the best IL composition for cellulose production was 85 wt%. Meanwhile, temperature optimization showed that the best temperature was 120 °C. In these two optimum conditions, the cellulose content was obtained at 45.84 wt%. Testing of IL [TEA][HSO 4 ] recovery performance for reuse has shown promising results. During the pretreatment process, IL [TEA][HSO 4 ] recovery effectively increased the cellulose content of OPEFB to 29.13 wt% and decreased the lignin content to 32.57%. The success of the recovery process is indicated by the increasing density properties of IL [TEA][HSO 4 ]. This increase occurs when using a temperature of 80–100 °C. The overall conditions obtained from this work suggest that IL [TEA][HSO 4 ] was effective during the transformation process of OPEFB into cellulose. This shows the potential of IL [TEA][HSO 4 ] in the future in the renewable energy sector.