Optimization of the condition of hydrolysis of coir pulp in presence of ionic liquid n-butylammonium acetate

• Grant number: 13/25685-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2014
• End date: January 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Andreia de Araújo Morandim
• Grantee: José Carlos de Andrade Neto
• Host Institution: Centro Universitário FEI (UNIFEI). Campus de São Bernardo do Campo. São Bernardo do Campo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cellulose is a natural polymer of great abundance in nature and has been widely studied to produce polymers and derivatives production of biofuels such as bioethanol. Thus, through the development of this project, the conditions of acid hydrolysis of coir is optimized using acetic acid in the presence of ionic liquid n-butylammonium acetate , aiming to produce free sugars for obtaining, future, bioethanol. For this purpose, initially the ionic liquid n-butylammonium acetate is synthesized using the technique of acid base neutralization. After obtaining the same, coir will be subjected to the pulping process using a concentration of 9% (w/w) sodium hydroxide. The reaction time is 6 h. After pulping, pre- purified cellulose is washed, dried, and then the ionic liquid is added to the partial solubilization of the same. The mixture is subjected to heating at 90°C under agitation and subsequently cooled solution and added acetic acid at different concentrations and temperatures aiming the hydrolysis of cellulose. The reaction time is 3 h. The amount of free sugars obtained after the hydrolysis is determined using the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC.