**1. Introduction**

In specific, bagasse is scientifically defined as a waste of sugarcane liquid extraction after milling process and is in a fibrous form. Bagasse is one of the biomass resources that is widely used as a boiler fuel in sugar factory, source of animal feed, material of paper, cement and brick reinforcement material [1, 2]. The amount of bagasse production each year is abundant, easily obtained, and economical. Based on the data from Indonesian Sugar Farm Research Center (P3GI) [3], bagasse amounts to approximately 32% of milled sugarcane weight or about 10.2 million ton/year or mill/season all around Indonesia. Furthermore, bagasse contains 48–52% water, sugar (approximately3.3% in average), and fiber at an average of 47.7% [4, 5]. Bagasse fiber is unable to be dissolved in water because mostly it consists of cellulose, pentosane, and lignin [6]. Bagasse waste could be used as a raw material in producing surfactant due to its high lignin content, which is estimated to be approximately 25% [7]. Lignin can be separated from bagasse waste by lignin isolation method and hydrolysis process using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution [8, 9]. The process also depends on creating bagasse surface enlargement by minimizing the size of its fiber in order to have the better yields of the isolated product. Lignosulfonate is a derivate of lignin that can be produced by reacting lignin with sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3) at certain reaction conditions via the electrophilic addition reaction [10, 11]. The presence of double bonds within the lignin structure has made lignin to be available for the addition reaction using various electrophilic substances, for instance, the hydrogen sulfite (▬HSO3) group of sodium bisulfite [12]. Thus, the product is categorized as sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) surfactant [13]. In addition, lignosulfonate is one of the variants of anionic surfactant that is often utilized in a chemical injection process of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the oil industry [14]. Therefore, the high lignin content in bagasse have made bagasse to be an eligible candidate to produce surfactant and became the aim of this research, which is to produce the lignosulfonate surfactant via sulfonation reaction of lignin previously isolated from bagasse. Based on the observations and search for existing patents, what have been found are patent Nos. 2,837,435 and 4,304,361 regarding the use of bagasse as a raw material for building needs, cutting of bagasse fiber for growing media needs, methods for producing bio-aromatic-based chemicals, bio-based aromatic fuels, and lignin residues [15, 16]. Whereas, the No. 8529731 was found to contain the process of fractionation of bagasse into cellulose, hemicellulose (xylene), and lignin with high-purity α-cellulose, which is a useful raw material for the manufacture of cellulose esters such as cellulose triacetate and cellulose plastics [17]. Amri [18] has shown research on sodium lignosulfonate surfactant which has characteristics of water solubility, hygroscopic, and color properties as well as the polydispersity properties of sample SLS which are generally in accordance with commercial SLS.

The lignin isolation method (hydrolysis) can excite lignin with acid, resulting in acid lignin as shown in **Figure 1**.

Isolation of lignin is generally carried out using sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid. Under acidic conditions, the charged lignin will become neutral. Lignin will not dissolve in water and will settle. The resulting solid can be separated by filtering. To change the nature of water-insoluble lignin, lignin can be modified through the sulfonation process to become lignosulfonate [20]. Sulfonation is intended to change the hydrophilic nature of the less polar lignin into a more polar/watersoluble lignosulfonate salt by inserting the sulfonate group and its salt into the lignin hydroxyl group so that the lignosulfonate salt has a structure as a surface-active agent or surfactant [19]. The sulfonate group in the lignosulfonate is a hydrophilic group that causes the lignosulfonate to have an amphipathic structure (surfactant). **Figure 2** shows the structure of the lignosulfonate.

The existence of the sulfonate group can be determined by the general formula R-SO3Na which is a simplification of the sulfate R-O-SO3Na [21]. The R group is a group of C8-C22 aromatic carbon atoms which is a hydrophilic group, while the hydrophobic group consists of carboxylates, sulfonates, phosphates, or other organic acids. The sulfonation process is the core process for producing

**65**

*Laboratory Optimization Study of Sulfonation Reaction toward Lignin Isolated from Bagasse*

lignosulfonate salts. The reaction occurs between lignin and sulfite salts. There are several types of sulfite salts that can be used in this process, including using sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3) in addition to other ingredients such as Na2SO3, NaOH + CH2

Several studies on the manufacture of sodium lignosulfonate that have been tried include raw materials for oil palm empty bunches [23], oil palm shells [24], palm frond biomass [18], and bagasse [25, 26]. The results of this study were limited to the manufacture of sodium lignosulfonate products which were correlated with the size of bagasse powder and the concentration of sodium bisulfite. Lignosulfonates, as a result of lignin sulfonation, are currently widely used as emulsifiers in iron ore processing, oil field chemicals, and pesticide formulas [27] as well as dust emission control and stabilizer for the fertilizer industry, animal feed industry, gypsum agent wallboard dispersant, oil well drilling mud additive, brick

In this study of sulfonation reaction toward lignin isolated from bagasse, this study used bagasse as the main raw material, with chemical reagents being sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, sodium bisulfite, and distilled water. Range and specifications are used in the bagasse lignin isolation process consisting of bagasse size 40, 60, and 80 mesh; sodium hydroxide concentration 0.6, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 10 M; and sodium bisulfate concentration 0.25 M. The equipment used in the process of lignin isolation and surfactant sulfonation consists of a sieve shaker; hot plate magnetic stirrer; two- or three-neck flask; condenser; beaker glass 200, 500, and 1000 mL; measuring cup 250 mL; thermometer; rod mixer; burette; gloves; glasses; mask; fume hood; pH meter paper; Buchner funnel; Whatman paper; watch glass; oven; digital balance; 250 and 500 mL reagent bottles; 10-mL vial bottle; and desiccator. The mechanism process of the lignosulfonate surfactant occurs through two reactions, namely, hydrolysis and sulfonation [29]. Hydrolysis is a reaction to break down lignin molecules into smaller molecules so that they can dissolve in water. Sulfonation is a reaction between bisulfite ions and lignin molecules. Previous research results reported that the surfactant methyl ester sulfonate (MES) could be synthesized from the direct sulfonation of palm kernel oil methyl ester using sodium bisulfite solution. The important from this previous research is the sulfuric acid concentration factor which affects the value of the decrease in surface tension, the decrease in interface tension, the stability of the emulsion, and the color of the surfactant [30].

2− + CH2O [22].

(OH) SO3Na, HCHO + NaOH, C2Cl4 + ClSO3H, or SO3

reinforcement, cement, and mortar [28].

**2. Materials and methods**

**Figure 2.**

*Lignosulfonate structure.*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93662*

**Figure 1.** *The reaction of lignin and NaOH in the delignification process [19].*

*Laboratory Optimization Study of Sulfonation Reaction toward Lignin Isolated from Bagasse DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93662*

**Figure 2.** *Lignosulfonate structure.*

*Biotechnological Applications of Biomass*

dance with commercial SLS.

acid lignin as shown in **Figure 1**.

from bagasse waste by lignin isolation method and hydrolysis process using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution [8, 9]. The process also depends on creating bagasse surface enlargement by minimizing the size of its fiber in order to have the better yields of the isolated product. Lignosulfonate is a derivate of lignin that can be produced by reacting lignin with sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3) at certain reaction conditions via the electrophilic addition reaction [10, 11]. The presence of double bonds within the lignin structure has made lignin to be available for the addition reaction using various electrophilic substances, for instance, the hydrogen sulfite (▬HSO3) group of sodium bisulfite [12]. Thus, the product is categorized as sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) surfactant [13]. In addition, lignosulfonate is one of the variants of anionic surfactant that is often utilized in a chemical injection process of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the oil industry [14]. Therefore, the high lignin content in bagasse have made bagasse to be an eligible candidate to produce surfactant and became the aim of this research, which is to produce the lignosulfonate surfactant via sulfonation reaction of lignin previously isolated from bagasse. Based on the observations and search for existing patents, what have been found are patent Nos. 2,837,435 and 4,304,361 regarding the use of bagasse as a raw material for building needs, cutting of bagasse fiber for growing media needs, methods for producing bio-aromatic-based chemicals, bio-based aromatic fuels, and lignin residues [15, 16]. Whereas, the No. 8529731 was found to contain the process of fractionation of bagasse into cellulose, hemicellulose (xylene), and lignin with high-purity α-cellulose, which is a useful raw material for the manufacture of cellulose esters such as cellulose triacetate and cellulose plastics [17]. Amri [18] has shown research on sodium lignosulfonate surfactant which has characteristics of water solubility, hygroscopic, and color properties as well as the polydispersity properties of sample SLS which are generally in accor-

The lignin isolation method (hydrolysis) can excite lignin with acid, resulting in

Isolation of lignin is generally carried out using sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid. Under acidic conditions, the charged lignin will become neutral. Lignin will not dissolve in water and will settle. The resulting solid can be separated by filtering. To change the nature of water-insoluble lignin, lignin can be modified through the sulfonation process to become lignosulfonate [20]. Sulfonation is intended to change the hydrophilic nature of the less polar lignin into a more polar/watersoluble lignosulfonate salt by inserting the sulfonate group and its salt into the lignin hydroxyl group so that the lignosulfonate salt has a structure as a surface-active agent or surfactant [19]. The sulfonate group in the lignosulfonate is a hydrophilic group that causes the lignosulfonate to have an amphipathic structure (surfactant).

The existence of the sulfonate group can be determined by the general formula R-SO3Na which is a simplification of the sulfate R-O-SO3Na [21]. The R group is a group of C8-C22 aromatic carbon atoms which is a hydrophilic group, while the hydrophobic group consists of carboxylates, sulfonates, phosphates, or other organic acids. The sulfonation process is the core process for producing

**64**

**Figure 1.**

*The reaction of lignin and NaOH in the delignification process [19].*

**Figure 2** shows the structure of the lignosulfonate.

lignosulfonate salts. The reaction occurs between lignin and sulfite salts. There are several types of sulfite salts that can be used in this process, including using sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3) in addition to other ingredients such as Na2SO3, NaOH + CH2 (OH) SO3Na, HCHO + NaOH, C2Cl4 + ClSO3H, or SO3 2− + CH2O [22].

Several studies on the manufacture of sodium lignosulfonate that have been tried include raw materials for oil palm empty bunches [23], oil palm shells [24], palm frond biomass [18], and bagasse [25, 26]. The results of this study were limited to the manufacture of sodium lignosulfonate products which were correlated with the size of bagasse powder and the concentration of sodium bisulfite. Lignosulfonates, as a result of lignin sulfonation, are currently widely used as emulsifiers in iron ore processing, oil field chemicals, and pesticide formulas [27] as well as dust emission control and stabilizer for the fertilizer industry, animal feed industry, gypsum agent wallboard dispersant, oil well drilling mud additive, brick reinforcement, cement, and mortar [28].

#### **2. Materials and methods**

In this study of sulfonation reaction toward lignin isolated from bagasse, this study used bagasse as the main raw material, with chemical reagents being sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, sodium bisulfite, and distilled water. Range and specifications are used in the bagasse lignin isolation process consisting of bagasse size 40, 60, and 80 mesh; sodium hydroxide concentration 0.6, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 10 M; and sodium bisulfate concentration 0.25 M. The equipment used in the process of lignin isolation and surfactant sulfonation consists of a sieve shaker; hot plate magnetic stirrer; two- or three-neck flask; condenser; beaker glass 200, 500, and 1000 mL; measuring cup 250 mL; thermometer; rod mixer; burette; gloves; glasses; mask; fume hood; pH meter paper; Buchner funnel; Whatman paper; watch glass; oven; digital balance; 250 and 500 mL reagent bottles; 10-mL vial bottle; and desiccator. The mechanism process of the lignosulfonate surfactant occurs through two reactions, namely, hydrolysis and sulfonation [29]. Hydrolysis is a reaction to break down lignin molecules into smaller molecules so that they can dissolve in water. Sulfonation is a reaction between bisulfite ions and lignin molecules. Previous research results reported that the surfactant methyl ester sulfonate (MES) could be synthesized from the direct sulfonation of palm kernel oil methyl ester using sodium bisulfite solution. The important from this previous research is the sulfuric acid concentration factor which affects the value of the decrease in surface tension, the decrease in interface tension, the stability of the emulsion, and the color of the surfactant [30].

The method of processing bagasse into lignosulfonate is carried out through two processes, namely, the isolation process of lignin from bagasse and the sulfonation process of lignin into sulfonates. The bagasse from the sugar factory was previously sifted coarsely and then to oven to dry completely. Then the oven bagasse is sieved again with a sieve shaker to obtain a particle size of bagasse with a certain mesh, namely, 40 mesh, 60 mesh, 80 mesh, and 100 mesh. **Figure 3** shows the bagasse that has been dried and then sieved using a sieve shaker to become a fine powder (**Figure 4**) [31].

The method used in this study is a development from previous researchers who modified lignosulfonate from lignin. In his research, lignin isolation was carried out using NaOH reaction by heating at a temperature of 60–100°C for 3–10 hours [20]. In this research, the lignin isolation process begins by inserting the bagasse that has been sieved with a sieve shaker into the reaction flask and reflux directly in sodium hydroxide solution at a various concentration for 5 hours at a temperature of 90–100°C. The result of reflux of NaOH is then filtered, diluted, and neutralized by adding dropwise concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to pH = 2 and allowed to stand for at least 8 hours until a precipitate appears, then filtered, and dried in an oven at 70°C. In this filtering process, it is accompanied by rinsing with distilled water because lignin does not dissolve in water and this rinsing with distilled water will dissolve the remaining glucose that may still be present in the results of the lignin isolation. The precipitate obtained is lignin isolated from bagasse and after drying using a vacuum oven, it becomes a brown powder.

The lignin isolation process starts with 5 gram of dry bagasse powder of each mesh size which is put into a three-neck flask, then NaOH is added until the bagasse is submerged and heated for 5 hours using a hot plate magnetic stirrer at a

**Figure 3.** *Bagasse.*

**67**

*Laboratory Optimization Study of Sulfonation Reaction toward Lignin Isolated from Bagasse*

temperature of 90–100°C. The reflux filtrate which still contains NaOH is taken and diluted with water at a volume ratio of 1:1. The solution is then added dropwise to H2SO until it reaches pH = 2, then this solution is left to stand to get a precipitate for at least 8 hours. The precipitate that is formed is filtered and then dried in an oven. The structure of isolated lignin product was determined through FTIR spectrophotometric measurements which were then compared with the standard lignin FTIR spectrum. In the lignin isolation process, optimization was also carried out using the concentration of NaOH used, namely, with a concentration range of 2, 3, 6, 8, and 10 M. Each NaOH concentration is used in the lignin isolation process by

The synthesis of bagasse into sodium lignosulfonate begins with the preparation of bagasse powder which will be isolated to separate the lignin from the bagasse. After lignin is formed, a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) [32, 33] test must be carried out to ensure the presence of lignin-forming components. The standard lignin used is commercial lignin from the lignin product of Aldrich and Kraft. If the component has not been formed, it must return to the isolation process again with changes to the variables used. There are three components of the main functional groups as indicators of lignin formation, namely, the phenolic O▬H functional groups, the aliphatic and aromatic ▬CH▬ stretching groups, and the C═C aromatic functional groups. In the lignin isolation process, the variables used are NaOH concentration, duration of the isolation process, and temperature in the isolation process. This looping process is carried out continuously until the lignin component is obtained that is in accordance with the existing commercial lignin standards. If the lignin formed meets the component requirements, it can be continued to the sulfonation process. The result of this sulfonation process is a brown powder of sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) surfactant. This product must also perform component characterization using the FTIR test. If the FTIR test results do not show any lignosulfonate-forming components, then a looping process is carried out until the sulfonation process produces a lignosulfonate component that matches the standard lignosulfonate. The standard lignosulfonates used are

The components of the lignosulfonate that must be present include the stretch-

The sulfonation process is a procedure in the form of adaptation and modification from research conducted by Ari [25] and Furi [26]. A total of 8 gram of isolated bagasse lignin was put into a three-neck flask, then sodium bisulfite solution was added, and then heated (refluxed) at 150°C for 5 hours. The reaction product is cooled and precipitated and further dried in a vacuum oven. From this sulfonation process, it produces a surfactant called sodium lignosulfonate (SLS). The structure of SLS surfactant was determined through FTIR, LCMS, and NMR spectrophotometric measurements [36]. The FTIR test results were then compared with the main components of the commonly used commercial lignosulfonate [34]. If it is in accordance with the components forming the SLS surfactant, this product can be said to have been successfully obtained. If it is not accordance with the standard components that should be present in the lignosulfonate, the sulfonation process is

Furthermore, the lignosulfonate monomer structure test was carried out using

gas chromatograph mass spectrum (GCMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance

ing vibration of the alkene functional group ▬C═C▬aromatic, the stretching vibration of the sulfonate functional group S═O, the bending vibration of the C═O functional group carboxylate group, and the bending vibration of the S-OR ester functional group. At this stage, it can be said that the synthesis process is complete, as illustrated in **Figure 5**. The process of synthesis of bagasse into sodium lignosul-

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93662*

varying the size of the bagasse mesh.

Patricia and Aldrich standards [34].

repeated with different parameters.

fonate surfactant as a whole can be seen in **Figure 5**.

**Figure 4.** *Mesh of bagasse [31].*

#### *Laboratory Optimization Study of Sulfonation Reaction toward Lignin Isolated from Bagasse DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93662*

temperature of 90–100°C. The reflux filtrate which still contains NaOH is taken and diluted with water at a volume ratio of 1:1. The solution is then added dropwise to H2SO until it reaches pH = 2, then this solution is left to stand to get a precipitate for at least 8 hours. The precipitate that is formed is filtered and then dried in an oven. The structure of isolated lignin product was determined through FTIR spectrophotometric measurements which were then compared with the standard lignin FTIR spectrum. In the lignin isolation process, optimization was also carried out using the concentration of NaOH used, namely, with a concentration range of 2, 3, 6, 8, and 10 M. Each NaOH concentration is used in the lignin isolation process by varying the size of the bagasse mesh.

The synthesis of bagasse into sodium lignosulfonate begins with the preparation of bagasse powder which will be isolated to separate the lignin from the bagasse. After lignin is formed, a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) [32, 33] test must be carried out to ensure the presence of lignin-forming components. The standard lignin used is commercial lignin from the lignin product of Aldrich and Kraft. If the component has not been formed, it must return to the isolation process again with changes to the variables used. There are three components of the main functional groups as indicators of lignin formation, namely, the phenolic O▬H functional groups, the aliphatic and aromatic ▬CH▬ stretching groups, and the C═C aromatic functional groups. In the lignin isolation process, the variables used are NaOH concentration, duration of the isolation process, and temperature in the isolation process. This looping process is carried out continuously until the lignin component is obtained that is in accordance with the existing commercial lignin standards. If the lignin formed meets the component requirements, it can be continued to the sulfonation process. The result of this sulfonation process is a brown powder of sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) surfactant. This product must also perform component characterization using the FTIR test. If the FTIR test results do not show any lignosulfonate-forming components, then a looping process is carried out until the sulfonation process produces a lignosulfonate component that matches the standard lignosulfonate. The standard lignosulfonates used are Patricia and Aldrich standards [34].

The components of the lignosulfonate that must be present include the stretching vibration of the alkene functional group ▬C═C▬aromatic, the stretching vibration of the sulfonate functional group S═O, the bending vibration of the C═O functional group carboxylate group, and the bending vibration of the S-OR ester functional group. At this stage, it can be said that the synthesis process is complete, as illustrated in **Figure 5**. The process of synthesis of bagasse into sodium lignosulfonate surfactant as a whole can be seen in **Figure 5**.

The sulfonation process is a procedure in the form of adaptation and modification from research conducted by Ari [25] and Furi [26]. A total of 8 gram of isolated bagasse lignin was put into a three-neck flask, then sodium bisulfite solution was added, and then heated (refluxed) at 150°C for 5 hours. The reaction product is cooled and precipitated and further dried in a vacuum oven. From this sulfonation process, it produces a surfactant called sodium lignosulfonate (SLS). The structure of SLS surfactant was determined through FTIR, LCMS, and NMR spectrophotometric measurements [36]. The FTIR test results were then compared with the main components of the commonly used commercial lignosulfonate [34]. If it is in accordance with the components forming the SLS surfactant, this product can be said to have been successfully obtained. If it is not accordance with the standard components that should be present in the lignosulfonate, the sulfonation process is repeated with different parameters.

Furthermore, the lignosulfonate monomer structure test was carried out using gas chromatograph mass spectrum (GCMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance

*Biotechnological Applications of Biomass*

(**Figure 4**) [31].

The method of processing bagasse into lignosulfonate is carried out through two processes, namely, the isolation process of lignin from bagasse and the sulfonation process of lignin into sulfonates. The bagasse from the sugar factory was previously sifted coarsely and then to oven to dry completely. Then the oven bagasse is sieved again with a sieve shaker to obtain a particle size of bagasse with a certain mesh, namely, 40 mesh, 60 mesh, 80 mesh, and 100 mesh. **Figure 3** shows the bagasse that has been dried and then sieved using a sieve shaker to become a fine powder

The method used in this study is a development from previous researchers who modified lignosulfonate from lignin. In his research, lignin isolation was carried out using NaOH reaction by heating at a temperature of 60–100°C for 3–10 hours [20]. In this research, the lignin isolation process begins by inserting the bagasse that has been sieved with a sieve shaker into the reaction flask and reflux directly in sodium hydroxide solution at a various concentration for 5 hours at a temperature of 90–100°C. The result of reflux of NaOH is then filtered, diluted, and neutralized by adding dropwise concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to pH = 2 and allowed to stand for at least 8 hours until a precipitate appears, then filtered, and dried in an oven at 70°C. In this filtering process, it is accompanied by rinsing with distilled water because lignin does not dissolve in water and this rinsing with distilled water will dissolve the remaining glucose that may still be present in the results of the lignin isolation. The precipitate obtained is lignin isolated from bagasse and after drying using a vacuum oven, it becomes a brown powder.

The lignin isolation process starts with 5 gram of dry bagasse powder of each

mesh size which is put into a three-neck flask, then NaOH is added until the bagasse is submerged and heated for 5 hours using a hot plate magnetic stirrer at a

**66**

**Figure 4.**

*Mesh of bagasse [31].*

**Figure 3.** *Bagasse.*

**Figure 5.** *Schematic synthesis of bagasse into sodium lignosulfonate [35].*

(NMR). The structure of the lignosulfonate monomer is needed in order to help see the suitability of the use of the surfactant lignosulfonate against the crude oil to be injected by the lignosulfonate.
