Conversion of lignin into a water-soluble polyacid using a MOF catalyst

DWPI Title: Valorization of lignin for water-soluble polyacid, involves mixing lignin, catalyst, and oxidizing agent, and recovering product comprising charged polyacid having preset zeta potential when mixed with alpha-aluminum oxide powder and water
Abstract: A process for valorization of lignin includes the steps of mixing lignin; a MOF catalyst metalated with a metal atom selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, or Ni, and combinations thereof; an oxidizing agent; and an aqueous solvent. The product of this process, a charged polyacid-containing species derived from lignin, may be included in a dispersion with a dispersible particulate material, and an aqueous dispersing medium.
Use: Valorization of lignin for producing water-soluble polyacid used as dispersant, antifouling agent, and anti-scaling agent for water-circulating equipment such as boiler and cooling system.
Advantage: The method economically valorizes even the most intransigent portion of a lignin stream and avoids the problem of separating and upgrading a complex mixture of breakdown products.
Novelty: Valorization of lignin involves mixing lignin, a metal-organic framework catalyst metalated with at least one metal atom chosen from iron, manganese, cobalt, copper, and nickel, an oxidizing agent, and an aqueous solvent to obtain a mixture having a pH of 2-10, and recovering a product comprising a charged polyacid having a zeta potential of -30 mV to -80 mV at a pH of more than 6 when mixed with an α -aluminum oxide powder and water.
Filed: 3/7/2017
Application Number: US15452487A
Tech ID: SD 13824.1
This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention.
Data from Derwent World Patents Index, provided by Clarivate
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