Valorization of Date Palm Wastes by Lignin Extraction to be Used for the Improvement of Polymeric Membrane Characteristics

Authors

  • Adel Zrelli
    Affiliation
    Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Gabes, University of Gabes, 6072 Gabes, Omar Ibn. ElKhattab St., Tunisia
    Laboratory of Energy, Water, Environment and Process, LR18ES35, National Engineering School of Gabes, 6072 Gabes, Omar Ibn. ElKhattab St., Tunisia
  • Walid Elfalleh
    Affiliation
    Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Gabes, University of Gabes, 6072 Gabes, Omar Ibn. ElKhattab St., Tunisia
    Laboratory of Energy, Water, Environment and Process, LR18ES35, National Engineering School of Gabes, 6072 Gabes, Omar Ibn. ElKhattab St., Tunisia
  • Achraf Ghorbal
    Affiliation
    Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of Gabes, University of Gabes, 6072 Gabes, Omar Ibn. ElKhattab St., Tunisia
  • Bechir Chaouachi
    Affiliation
    Laboratory of Energy, Water, Environment and Process, LR18ES35, National Engineering School of Gabes, 6072 Gabes, Omar Ibn. ElKhattab St., Tunisia
https://doi.org/10.3311/PPch.18273

Abstract

This work aimed to valorize Date Palm Wastes (DPW) by the extraction of lignin and its application for polymeric membrane modification. Lignin was extracted from five types of DPW (date palm kernel, leaflet, pedicel, palm frond, and fibrilium) using the Klason method. Following DPW characterization, we remark the highest amount of extractives content in the leaflet sample (10.07 %) and the lowest in the fibrilium sample (6.51 %). The ash content ranged from 1.56 % for fibrilium to 7.96 % for palm frond. After extraction, the lignin yield was in the range of 22–32 %. The extracted lignins were characterized by Infrared and Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. All extracted lignins provide a high concentration of (-OH) group. Besides, both syringyl and guaiacyl are present in the extracted lignins with a slightly more syringyl unit. The extracted lignins were added to the polymeric solution, prepared from waste plastic, to produce membranes. These membranes showed improved hydrophilicity marked a decrease in the contact angle of 28 % when the lignin concentration increased from 0.125 to 0.5 %. In addition, the membrane porosity increased with the use of the extracted lignins as an additive.

Keywords:

valorization, DPW, lignin, waste plastic, membrane, characterization

Citation data from Crossref and Scopus

Published Online

2021-11-26

How to Cite

Zrelli, A., Elfalleh, W., Ghorbal, A., Chaouachi, B. “Valorization of Date Palm Wastes by Lignin Extraction to be Used for the Improvement of Polymeric Membrane Characteristics”, Periodica Polytechnica Chemical Engineering, 66(1), pp. 70–81, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3311/PPch.18273

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Articles