Thermogravimetric analysis-based characterization of suitable biomass for alkaline peroxide treatment to obtain cellulose and fermentable sugars

To characterize a suitable biomass for alkaline peroxide treatment, four types of lignocellulosic biomass (rice straw, two Miscanthus spp., and Japanese cypress) were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis. Before the alkaline peroxide treatment, rice straw had the lowest initial thermal degradation temperature and Japanese cypress had the highest. After alkaline peroxide treatment, this trend was reversed, such that the highest initial thermal degradation temperature was for alkaline-peroxide treated rice straw. Hemicellulose and lignin content significantly affected the thermal degradation behavior and alkaline peroxide treatment efficiency. Among the four lignocelluloses, raw rice straw exhibited the highest reducing capability, whereas the treated rice straw exhibited the lowest reducing capability. Surface morphology and crystallinity indicated that when the rice straw was subjected to AP treatment at room temperature for 10 min, crystalline cellulose microfibrils were exposed and concentrated on the surface. Thus, among the samples tested, rice straw was found to be the most suitable biomass for alkaline peroxide treatment.