Määttä Emma Supramolekulaarisiin vuorovaikutuksiin perustuva lignoselluloosan fraktiointiprosessi

My research explores a novel cooking method that differs fundamentally from traditional pulping techniques. By enhancing interactions between lignin and the cooking solution through supramolecular interactions, this approach enables the separation of lignin from wood fibers under significantly milder conditions. In addition to its practical relevance, the research seeks to build a deeper understanding of the chemical interactions that govern lignin separation. By combining experimental observations with theoretical insights, the work contributes to the development of more sustainable and advanced pulping technologies. This is one of the primary objectives of the Emission Free Pulping program, of which my research is a part. 

A key element of this research is the use of eutectic-like solvents, which are designed to exhibit reduced melting points when specific chemical components interact. These properties improve lignin dissolution and support controlled fractionation. In particular, the study focuses on phenolic compounds such as thymol—derived from thyme and available from both natural and synthetic sources—to evaluate their performance in processing different wood species under varying conditions. 

The Walter Ahlström incentive grant has supported the completion of the first research task, which involved exploring the novel method and analyzing the resulting fractions. The approach successfully fractionates spruce sawdust at comparatively low temperatures and short processing times. The overall yields are high, and both the recovered fibers and lignin show strong potential for further utilization.