Efficient Acetylation of Xylans by Exploiting the Potassium Acetate Formed During the Alkaline Extraction

Journal Article · Wed Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2018 · Journal of Polymers and the Environment

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/S10924-018-1221-8· OSTI ID:22788007

Akkus, Merve ^[1]; Ozkan, Necati ^[2]; Bakir, Ufuk ^[1]

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1. Middle East Technical University, Department of Chemical Engineering (Turkey)
2. Middle East Technical University, Department of Polymer Science and Technology (Turkey)

Isolation of hemicelluloses through alkaline extraction results in formation of salts, which usually necessitates additional salt removal steps. In this study, acetylation of xylans was studied without the removal of potassium acetate (KAc), a commonly produced salt during the alkaline extraction, to find a facile method to alter the hydrophilic characteristics of hemicelluloses. The acetylation reaction was carried out solely with acetic anhydride without any catalysts or solvents added. The weight gain and ATR–FTIR analyses verified the acetylation of xylans in the presence of KAc. A significant decrease in water solubility and moisture uptake was observed upon acetylation in the presence of KAc which is also accompanied by an increase in thermal stability, disclosing an easy, efficient and environmentally friendly method to obtain hydrophobically modified xylans without the use of toxic catalysts and costly salt purification steps.

• OSTI ID: 22788007
• Journal Information: Journal of Polymers and the Environment, Journal Name: Journal of Polymers and the Environment Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 26; ISSN 1566-2543
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ACETATES
ACETYLATION
ANHYDRIDES
CATALYSTS
EXTRACTION
FOURIER TRANSFORM SPECTROMETERS
MOISTURE
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
SOLUBILITY
WATER
XYLANS