Chemical and Physicochemical Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass: A Review

Table 3

Effect of various pretreatment methods on the chemical composition and chemical/physical structure of lignocellulosic biomass (adapted from [12]). H: high effect, L: low effect, ND: not determined, *Depends on the chemical nature of the solvent.

Pretreatment	Increases accessible surface area	Decrystallizes cellulose	Removes hemicellulose	Removes lignin	Alters lignin structure
Steam explosion	H		H		L
Liquid hot water	H	ND	H		L
Dilute acid	H		H		H
AFEX	H	H	L	H	H
ARP	H	H	L	H	H
Lime	H	ND	L	H	H
Green solvents (NMMO and ionic liquids)	H	H	L	H or L*	L
Supercritical fluid	H	H	H		L