Search

© 2019 Elsevier B.V. Membrane technology is currently still excluded from separations in more aggressive feeds due to limited chemical robustness. To extent its applicability, a novel thin-film composite (TFC)membrane was synthesized via the homopolymerization of epoxide monomers, resulting in robust poly(epoxyether)top-layers with >90% rose bengal (MW = 1017 Da)and 70% methyl orange (MW = 327 Da)retention with reasonable water fluxes (>2 L m -2 h −1 bar −1 ). The superior chemical stability of this novel nanofiltration membrane type was proven via treatments in pH 1 and 500 ppm NaOCl (pH 4)for, respectively, 48 h and 2.5 h, after which an unchanged or even improved membrane performance was observed. Additionally, the synthesis of the thin top-layer occurred via an interfacial initiation of the polymerization (IIP), rather than via state-of-the-art interfacial polymerization (IP). This IIP approach allowed to convert well-known monophasic bulk epoxide polymerization (commonly used in e.g. the automotive and coating industry), into the synthesis of thin, yet cross-linked top-layers. ispartof: JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE vol:582 pages:442-453 status: published

Lignin valorization will be pivotal for the success of future lignocellulose biorefineries. This chapter focuses on the emerging reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) technology. In Section 1, the structure of native lignin is briefly discussed and the RCF biorefinery concept is presented. The importance of proper characterization of the resulting lignin fraction as well as their relation to the native lignin structure is highlighted herein. In Section 2, a selection of novel phenolic monomer valorization strategies is discussed including: dimerization toward renewable and safer bisphenols, amination strategies to obtain lignin-derived amines, and several production routes to phenol. In a final part, the importance of a techno-economic and life cycle assessment integrated with a thorough process design for the development of future RCF biorefineries is exemplified by a lignocellulose-to-phenol case study.