Thermal characterization of lignin from extraction of Leucaena Leucocephala pods by formic acid fractionation process

Lignocellulose is one of the most abundant renewable sources of carbon that has been used for production of biofuel, chemical and polymers. Lignin is comprises of phenylpropane units linked together by various types of interunit linkages of which ether bonds are the widely recognized, represents 10–25 wt% in the lignocellulosic biomass and it is a key compound in the present and future biorefinery, rendering its valorization of great importance. This study investigated the highest yield amount of lignin with different aging of Leucaena Leucocephala Pods based on the length of their seeds and analyse the thermal characteristic of lignin properties from different aging of Leucaena Leucocephala Pods by using Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Fractionation process was used to extract the lignin with different aging of Leucaena Leucocephala Pods based on the length of their seeds was using a mixture of formic acid and hydrochloric acid as a catalyst by dissolving the samples with solution to retrieve the lignin. Lignin can obtain from black liquor after filtration process to separate the lignin from the solubilized hemicellulose. It was found that lignin obtained from sample 7mm length of seed provided the greatest yield of the various length size of raw materials. The length of LL pods was seen to affect the thermal properties. Overall, the lignin from sample 7mm had the highest yield lignin amount and greatest thermal stability.