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Zhen Fang will be presenting his exit seminar, Oxidative degradation of lignin and investigation of utilization of lignin-derived materials as building blocks for epoxy resins.

Abstract:

Lignin, the second most abundant biopolymer on earth, is potentially a replaceable source for bulky fuels and chemical feedstocks. There have been numerous reports on methods for the oxidative cleavage of β-O-4 linkages but relatively few reports of how those methods affect other linkages that are present in lignin. We investigated how the β-1 and β-5 linkages respond under oxidative conditions proposed for lignin deconstruction based on their effect on β-O-4 linkages. Mechanochemical treatment of lignin can greatly improve the yield of monomer products and we applied a mechanochemical approach, using powerful ring-and-puck milling to promote lignin degradation. Along with similar production of monomers in a much shorter period than what we observed in previous ball-milling process, much more unexpected reactions were taking place during current the mechanochemical process.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mark Meier