Santi Chuetor

The growing electric vehicle (EV) industry necessitates sustainable material solutions to reduce reliance on petroleum-based plastics. This study investigates lignin-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) biocomposites for sustainable EV components, focusing on rearview mirror covers. Alkaline lignin (AL) and sodium lignosulfonate (LS) were incorporated into PLA at 0–3 wt.% with polyethylene glycol (PEG400) as a compatibilizer. The objective was to develop a bio-based composite suitable for non-structural EV components, specifically a rearview mirror cover. The composites were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), universal testing machine (UTM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and melt flow rate (MFR) testing. Results revealed that LS-PLA composites exhibited superior mechanical strength (38.6 MPa tensile strength at 1 wt.%) and thermal stability (onset degradation: 347.9 °C) compared to AL-PLA, attributed to enhanced interfacial compatibility. PEG increased MFR by 40–60% but reduced tensile strength by 15–20% due to plasticization. Optimal performance was achieved with 1 wt.% LS, demonstrating balanced processability (MFR: 12 g/10 min), thermal resilience, and economic viability (IRR: 28.5%). These biocomposites reduce petroleum dependency while meeting EV industry standards, supporting circular economy goals.

La biomasse lignocellulosique (LC) est considérée comme une alternative prometteuse pour produire des biocarburants, mais aussi extraire des biomolécules et synthons pour la synthèse de polymères et des matériaux afin de les substituer à ceux issues de la pétrochimie. La biomasse LC est principalement composée de cellulose, d'hémicellulose et de lignine. Sa nature composite et sa microstructure matricielle hétérogène rendent difficiles sa digestibilité et sa bioconversion. Le prétraitement de la biomasse LC est une étape indispensable permettant de dissocier la matrice LC et d'améliorer l'accessibilité des polymères pariétaux, étape-clé notamment pour la production de synthons. Le fractionnement par voie sèche des LC s'insère dans les schémas de bioraffinerie de la biomasse avec des arguments favorable à la durabilité (pas d'eau consommée, pas de séchage, pas d'effluents). L'amélioration de la résolution du fractionnement, la réduction de la dépense énergétique et l'amplification de la réactivité/fonctionnalité des produits constituent des objectifs de recherche prioritaires dans le champ du fractionnement sec. Un des inconvénients de l'opération de broyage de la LC native est son importante consommation énergétique. La mise en œuvre de prétraitements modérés qui favorisent la broyabilité de la matrice LC et l'accessibilité aux molécules d'intérêt, peut permettre (i) d'améliorer la résolution du fractionnement, (ii) réduire très significativement l'énergie de broyage et (iii) amplifier la réactivité des produits.L'objectif de la thèse porte sur l'analyse de la mise en œuvre de prétraitements chimiques couplés au fractionnement mécanique de paille de riz, qui a été choisie comme substrat valorisable de référence. Cette étude s'appuie notamment sur un procédé innovant de prétraitement chimique par voie semi-humide, qui permet de fragiliser et déstructurer la matrice LC afin de faciliter une déconstruction mécanique. Le couplage de procédés chimio-mécaniques semi-humide ont permis à la fois d'augmenter la réactivé des produits et de diminuer la consommation énergétique ainsi que supprimer certaines étapes et ne pas générer des effluents. Les résultats du fractionnement par voie sèche ont montré que la combinaison d'un broyage ultrafin et d'une séparation est une alternative de bioraffinerie technique pour obtenir des fractions intéressantes pour différentes propriétés. Ces résultats permettent d'améliorer les méthodes de prétraitements adaptées aux plusieurs types de biomasse dans la bioraffinerie des LC. Une approche hydro-texturale à l'échelle des particules est ensuite proposée pour identifier les mécanismes de fractionnement et évaluer l'impact des prétraitements chimiques. Le rôle de la microstructure dans les prétraitements chemo-mécaniques est notamment analysé par le biais de l'étude des transferts d'eau dans les poudres (imbibition et séchage). Une caractérisation physique des poudres complète la description des propriétés conférées aux pailles de riz broyées. Au-delà des résultats spécifiques aux pailles de riz, cette étude a été conduite de façon a présenter un degré de généricité suffisant pour extrapoler la démarche et les connaissances acquises au traitement d'autres biomasses annuelles ou pérennes.

Bioethanol, a renewable and sustainable fuel, holds great promise in mitigating our dependence on fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Lignocellulosic biomass, composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, represents an abundant and non-food resource for bioenergy production. However, the success of this endeavor hinges on effective pretreatment techniques. This chapter critically examines the current state, challenges, and future perspectives of bioethanol production from lignocellulosic feedstocks. We delve into various pretreatment techniques and their impact on enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency and fermentation study thereof. The balance between cost-effectiveness and inhibitor formation during pretreatment remains a critical challenge. Enzymatic hydrolysis faces hurdles related to enzyme cost, recycling, and process efficiency. Advances in enzyme cocktails and recycling strategies, however, have shown promise in the past few decades. Challenges in the fermentation techniques include yeast inhibition at elevated temperatures, differences in optimal conditions between hydrolysis and fermentation, and strain engineering complexities. Integrated biorefineries, where bioethanol co-exists with other value-added products, have, however, offered economic viability. Sustainability assessments may ensure alignment with the environmental goals thus aligning with the sustainable energy scenario. Henceforth, interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and determination remain key drivers in the journey toward sustainable bioenergy.

The flexibility and durability of biopolymers are enhanced by the supplementation of plasticizers. Various types of plasticizers are commonly utilized. This research aims to investigate the effects of different plasticizer types on the characteristics of biopolymer films prepared from tamarind kernel powder (TKP) and gelatin crosslinked with glutaraldehyde. Three types of plasticizers were examined: glycerol, sorbitol, and polyethylene glycol. The concentration of plasticizers was controlled at 1% w/w. The chemical and mechanical properties of the films were analyzed. The results indicated that the plasticizers differentially improved the mechanical properties of the biopolymer films. Additionally, the opacity, color, and water solubility of the films were influenced by the type of plasticizer used. The TKP-gelatin film supplemented with sorbitol exhibited improved mechanical properties, as indicated by both higher tensile strength and elongation at break, compared with that supplemented with glycerol and polyethylene glycol.

The global reliance on fossil fuels has caused severe environmental challenges, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable and renewable energy sources. Bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass has emerged as a promising alternative due to its abundance, renewability, and carbon-neutral footprint. However, its economic feasibility remains a major obstacle owing to high production costs, particularly those associated with low ethanol titers and the energy-intensive distillation process costs for low titers. High-solid loading processes (≥15% w/w or w/v) have demonstrated potential to overcome these limitations by minimizing water and solvent consumption, enhancing sugar concentrations, increasing ethanol titers, and lowering downstream processing cost. Nevertheless, high-solid loading also introduces operational bottlenecks, such as elevated viscosity, poor mixing, and limited mass and heat transfer, which hinder enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency. This review critically examines emerging pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis strategies tailored for high-solid loading conditions. It also explores techniques that improve sugar yields and conversion efficiency while addressing key technical barriers, including enzyme engineering, process integration, and optimization. By evaluating these challenges and potential mitigation strategies, this review provides actionable insights to intensify lignocellulosic ethanol production and advance the development of scalable, cost-effective biorefinery platforms.

A comprehensive techno-economic assessment was undertaken to determine the viability of bioethanol production from sugarcane bagasse in Thailand through organosolv fractionation, incorporating three distinct catalytic systems: sulfuric acid, formic acid, and sodium methoxide. Rigorous process simulations were executed using Aspen Plus, facilitating the derivation of detailed mass and energy balances, which served as the foundational input for downstream cost modeling. Economic performance metrics, including the total annualized cost and minimum ethanol selling price, were systematically quantified for each scenario. Among the evaluated configurations, the formic acid-catalyzed organosolv system exhibited superior techno-economic attributes, achieving the lowest unit production costs of 1.14 USD/L for ethanol and 1.84 USD/kg for lignin, corresponding to an estimated ethanol selling price of approximately 1.14 USD/L. This favorable outcome was attained with only moderate capital intensity, indicating a well-balanced trade-off between operational efficiency and investment burden. Conversely, the sodium methoxide-based process configuration imposed the highest economic burden, with a TAC of 15.27 million USD/year, culminating in a markedly elevated MESP of 5.49 USD/kg (approximately 4.33 USD/L). The sulfuric acid-driven system demonstrated effective delignification performance. Sensitivity analysis revealed that reagent procurement costs exert the greatest impact on TAC variation, highlighting chemical expenditure as the key economic driver. These findings emphasize the critical role of solvent choice, catalytic performance, and process integration in improving the cost-efficiency of lignocellulosic ethanol production. Among the examined options, the formic acid-based organosolv process stands out as the most economically viable for large-scale implementation within Thailand’s bioeconomy.