Production of Hydrogen and Monomer Aromatics by In-liquid Plasma Treatment of Lignin

Abstract

A lignin solution in methanol was treated with in-liquid plasma at 27.12 MHz radio frequency to produce H2 and aromatic monomers. Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were performed to characterize the produced gases and degradation products contained in the solution. GC analysis identified H₂, CO, CH₄, C₂H₂, CO₂, and C₂H₄ in the sample. GC-MS analysis identified several products, including benzene, toluene, and phenol. The quantity of each of these products was determined. These results indicated that the bonds around the benzene ring were broken in the plasma and reacted with OH radicals and CH₃ radicals from methanol.