Reaction Parameter Effects on Metal-Salt-Catalyzed Aqueous Biphasic Pulping Systems

Metal salts (MgSO4 and Li2SO4) that serve to catalyze wood delignification and also contribute to the formation of aqueous biphasic systems (ABSs) have been studied. The influence of treatment conditions on the pulp properties (measured as the kappa number, residual pulp yield) has been determined by means of a 24 factorial design. The effects of the variables (temperature, time, salt, and polymer concentration) have been determined. Wood and pulp samples and lignin resulting from this process have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.