Characterization and Valorization of Humins Produced by HMF Degradation in Ionic Liquids: A Valuable Carbonaceous Material for Antimony Removal

The processing of biomass in ionic liquids has demonstrated many benefits compared to organic solvents. This includes the maximization 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) yield from sugars through suppression byproducts, such as formic acid and levulinic acid. Inefficiencies still exist due low stability HMF at high temperature, leading side reactions which ultimately result undesirable formation humins. Valorization this polymeric product is thus needed improve economics biorefinery could lead humins being viewed valuable materials for various applications. However, a much better understanding how form proposed biorefinery. In contribution, humin probed by range analytical techniques, including FT-IR, SEM, solid-state 13C NMR, MS, GPC, XPS analyses. reveals that structure morphology formed does not resemble those reported literature material displays number unique aspects. hydrogen bonding proprieties employed exert strong influence on chemical functionality humins, used demonstrate their potential functional materials. To this, produced liquid environments are applied metal extraction with commercial activated carbon. superior antimony ions wastewater, showing promise an adsorbent additive water purification.