Production of biomaterials from cork: Liquefaction in polyhydric alcohols at moderate temperatures
2014
Yona, Arnaud Maxime Cheumani | Budija, Franc | Kričej, Borut | Kutnar, Andreja | Pavlič, Matjaž | Pori, Pavel | Tavzes, Črtomir | Petrič, Marko
The aim of this study was to develop polymers in a liquid solution, from renewable bio-resources, usable as intermediate materials in the preparation of plastics, adhesives or coatings. The liquefaction of cork with glycerol was investigated at 150°C, 180°C, and 200°C under acidic (sulphuric acid) or alkaline conditions (sodium hydroxide). Cork appears as a two-component material, containing suberin and lignocelluloses. In the presence of sulphuric acid, only the liquefaction of the lignocellulosic components was achieved, leading to liquefaction yield of less than 47% at all investigated conditions. The inverse phenomenon was observed with sodium hydroxide. Suberin was almost completely liquefied, but an increase of temperature and/or sodium hydroxide content was necessary to improve the liquefaction of lignocelluloses. Addition of polyethylene glycol to glycerol to a certain extent caused the conversion of suberin under acid conditions leading to liquefaction yield up to 93%. Therefore, it was demonstrated that it is possible to use cork dust, a less valuable by-product, for the production of various basic chemicals and/or polymers with a high added value.
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