Mid-Atlantic Sustainable Biomass for Value-added Products Consortium (MASBio): Task Group 3. Value-Added Biomass Products

For Task 3.1 Develop and validate biomass pathway for biochemicals and bio-adhesives, which was led by Hu and Wang groups, the section has finished single lap bonding strength of soy-lignin adhesives that having 50 wt.% loading of depolymerized lignin based on lignin content. In addition, extractives, lignin, holocellulose of logging residue for different harvesting years were analyzed. Regarding Task 3.2 Develop and validate resins for 3D printing from lignin, which was led by Chmely group, lignin-containing resins with 99% carbon from renewable sources was formulated and tested. The results showed that adding low concentrations of methacrylated Kraft lignin could enhance the flexibility and strain of specimens for the potential printing application. For Task 3.3 Develop and validate CO2-derived bicarbonate nanomaterials, which was led by Dr. Li group, the two amino acids, glycine and alanine, were examined for their roles in amino acid-K2CO3 solvent system. It was also expected that K2CO3 may be used to replace KOH in their study. For Task 3.4 Further develop biomass derived carbon products, which was led by Ciolkosz and Wang groups, the task has completed XRD analysis for logging residue hydro-bioproducts. The task will further characterize these products with FTIR and heavy metal ion absorption capabilities.

John Hu
Chair Professor, Director of Shale Gas Center
West Virginia University