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Floresta e Ambiente
https://www.floram.org/article/doi/10.1590/2179-8087-FLORAM-2025-0006
Floresta e Ambiente
Original Article Forest Products Science and Tecnology

Ionothermal Liquefaction of Mangrove Cellulose by Deep Eutectic Solvent Under Ambient Pressure

Ying Ki Ng, Eric Wei Chiang Chan, Muhammad Zhafran Zakaria, Vannajan Sanghiran Lee, Chen Wai Won

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087-FLORAM-2025-0006 FLORAM, vol.33, e20250006, 2026
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Abstract

This study explores ionothermal liquefaction (ITL) of mangrove cellulose into levulinic acid (LA) using deep eutectic solvents (DES) under ambient pressure. Choline chloride-lactic acid (ChCl:Lac) and its FeCl₃-modified variant (DES-FeCl3) were tested for cellulose breakdown and LA production. The highest yields (158.8 and 153.0 g/kg of delignified wood) were achieved with 1:7 DES at 180°C and 1:10 DES at 200°C. GC-MS and NMR confirmed LA as a major bio-oil component. Molecular dynamics simulations showed DES promotes cellulose depolymerization through hydrogen bonding, facilitating dehydration to LA. This approach offers an effective, low-impact alternative to acid hydrolysis, requiring no high-pressure systems or hazardous reagents. It demonstrates the potential for sustainable biofuel production in decentralized settings, reducing energy needs, minimizing environmental risks, and enhancing scalability, making it a promising pathway for eco-friendly biofuel technologies.

Keywords

Ionothermal liquefaction; Deep eutectic solvents; Levulinic acid; Green solvents; Mangrove biomass; Biofuels

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Submitted date:
04/01/2025

Accepted date:
03/24/2026

6a3acdf8a953951893220e89 floram Articles
2179-8087 (Electronic)
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