Characterization of the Arundo Donax L. solid residue from hydrothermal conversion: Comparison with technical lignins and application perspectives

The characterization of the solid residue coming from the acid hydrolysis of giant reed (Arundo Donax L) herbaceous biomass was performed and compared with the characteristics of two commercial technical lignins, i.e. a soda and a sulphate (kraft) one, in order to ascertain their differences, and thus better address their successive possible applications. The investigated hydrolysis residue derived from an hydrothermal treatment with dilute hydrochloric acid under harsh conditions, addressed to the production of levulinic acid, and contains both lignin and humin units. These last components are not present in the compared lignins that are industrially obtained by different extraction processes.