Controllable Synthesis of Styrene-divinylbenzene Adsorption Resins and the Effect of Textural Properties on Removal Performance of Fermentation Inhibitors from Rice Straw Hydrolysate

The purification of lignocellulosic hydrolysate has great practical significance in the field of bioenergy and biorefinery. In this study, the effects of textural properties of styrene-divinylbenzene (St-DVB) adsorption resin prepared by oil/water suspension polymerization method on its adsorption capacities of sugar, fermentation inhibitors, and pigments in rice straw hydrolysate were investigated. The results showed that the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area plays a pivotal role in the adsorption of pigments, furan derivatives, and acid soluble lignin (ASL), while the pore diameter is critical for the adsorption of organic acids and sugars. High distribution coefficient (22.80, 22.64, 7.26 mL/g, respectively) and selectivity coefficient (10.46, 10.39, 3.33, respectively) with respect to ASL, furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural were achieved for the St-DVB adsorption resin obtained under the copolymerization conditions: mSt+DVB:mporogen = 1:1, mSt:mDVB = 1:1, mtoluene:mliquid paraffin = 1:1, moil:mwater = 1:3. In summary, the research provides guidance for choosing and designing adsorbent for the purification of lignocellulosic hydrolysate.