Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
changes. This way, the recalcitrance of hydrolysis would be solved, and refining
technology would be set up for the conversion of different materials into related
products [
1
].
The recalcitrance of lignocellulosic materials includes two aspects: structure
and components. Currently, characterization methods for lignocellulosic material
components are usually from the papermaking area. In addition, near-infrared,
X-ray diffraction, and electrical scanning technologies are applied to analyze
the crystal structure and surface characteristics of cellulose materials. However,
advanced characterization technology should be introduced to form a complete
characterization technology system for deep and realistic recognition from different
levels and aspects.
Cross-discipline examination and re-creation are necessary to overcome difficult
problems in the sciences. Now, discoveries are usually from a visual description
or modeling. So, the scientific rules should be followed to find the recalcitrance of
cellulose materials in the primary refining process: from visual to abstract, from
macro to micro, from outside to inside. In this section, the research methods are
introduced gradually according to this order.
At first, the morphological and structural changes should be characterized
because it could provide direct recognition. Especially, different changes could
be observed in the process of primary refining, including special structure, crys-
tal structure, and fiber cell with three-dimensional (3-D) scanning and optical
microscopy. Then, the component changes should be analyzed, including main and
trace components. Moreover, the changes of functional group should be explored.
Finally, the research methods for energy consumption and processes are introduced.
The quality of products would be affected by cellulose materials changing in the
primary refining process. Cellulose materials are usually applied in papermaking.
Pulping mainly uses cellulose, so analysis methods for cellulose are mature
regarding cellulosic material analysis in primary refining. Research methods for
lignin and hemicelluloses should also be set up to realize fractionation and high-
value conversion of lignocellulosic materials.
11.1.2
Research Methods for Morphology and Structure
of Lignocellulose in Primary Refining
11.1.2.1
Research Methods for Tridimensional Morphology and Structure
Different components are connected to each other tightly, so it is hard to separate
different components or deconstruct a special structure in the process of converting
cellulose materials into high-value products. If the morphology changes at different
conversion stages could be demonstrated in three dimensions, the recalcitrance for
pretreatment and enzyme hydrolysis might be discovered. This would be helpful for
setting up the relationship between pretreatment and enzyme hydrolysis and to find
