SYNTHESIS OF Ce/MgO CATALYSTS FOR DIRECT OXIDATION OF KENAF STALKS TO VANILLIN UNDER MICROWAVE IRRADIATION

Lignin is a promising resource for producing a variety of aromatic chemicals because of its unique structure with a complex phenolic polymer with randomly crosslinked C9 units. For those reason lignin can be converted into high value-added chemical such as vanillin. Etraction of lignin possess high purity, however the extraction process was lengthening. One possible method of producing vanillin from biomass is through controlled oxidation of lignin. Direct oxidation of kenaf stalks was chosen without separating the cellulose and hemicellulose components from the lignocellulosic biomass. This makes the process greener, as well as saves time. In this research, Ce/MgO catalysts were developed to oxidize kenaf stalks and kenaf lignin under microwave irradiation. The catalysts were characterized for their physicochemical properties using XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms, CO2-TPD, TPO and XPS.