Bio-Based Copolymers from Lignocellulosic Biomass for Electrolytes
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a robust and scalable process to depolymerize, purify, and functionalize lignin-based compounds from raw biomass to produce designer materials for applications such as pressure sensitive adhesives and electrolytes, addressing the gap between deriving well-defined chemicals from biomass and their utilization in specialized consumer products.
Innovation Solution
A method involving hydrogenolysis of biomass with catalysts like Ru, Ni, Pd, or metal sulfides to produce depolymerized lignin products, followed by extraction and functionalization to form bio-based monomers with ethylenically unsaturated groups, which are then polymerized to create bio-based copolymers suitable for pressure sensitive adhesives and electrolytes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robust and scalable process is implemented for depolymerization, purification, and functionalization of lignin-based compounds, then high-purity aromatic compounds can be produced in high yield, but process complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The process is divided into distinct sequential stages: depolymerization of biomass to produce lignin-based compounds, purification to isolate high-purity aromatic compounds, and functionalization to create value-added products. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently while maintaining overall scalability and productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple processing steps (depolymerization, purification, functionalization) are implemented, then product purity and quality improve, but energy consumption and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The process utilizes parameter changes including temperature variations during depolymerization, pH adjustments during purification steps, and solvent system modifications during functionalization. These parameter changes enable efficient separation and purification of aromatic compounds while managing energy consumption through optimized reaction conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If catalysts and solvents are reused and recycled, then production cost and environmental impact are reduced, but process time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The process incorporates recovery and recycling steps for catalysts and solvents used during depolymerization and functionalization. Catalysts are separated and regenerated for reuse, while solvents are recovered through distillation or other separation techniques. This approach reduces production costs and environmental impact while integrating the recovery operations into the overall process flow.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method enables the production of high-purity aromatic compounds in high yield, facilitating the scalable fabrication of advanced polymers for pressure sensitive adhesives and electrolytes, reducing energy and cost, and promoting the use of biomass-derived materials in mainstream applications.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a biomass with a hydrogenolysis catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at a first temperature, thereby hydrogenolyzing the biomass to produce a mixture of depolymerized lignin products
Implementation Method 2
extracting at least one depolymerized lignin product containing a phenolic hydroxyl group from the liquid stream of the depolymerized lignin products
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are bio-based copolymers comprising in polymerized form (i) at least one polymerizable bio-based monomer containing one phenolic hydroxyl group which has been derivatized to provide at least one polymerizable functional group which is an ethylenically unsaturated functional group (such as a [meth]acrylate group), where the precursors of the polymerizable bio-based monomers are derived from raw lignin-containing biomass, and (ii) at least one ion-conducting co-monomer other than the bio-based monomer. Also disclosed herein are binders comprising the bio-based copolymers, electrodes comprising the binder, polymer electrolytes comprising the bio-based copolymer and an electrochemical device comprising an electrode in electrical contact with a polymer electrolyte, wherein at least one of the electrode and the polymer electrolyte comprises the bio-based copolymer.