Production of Vanillin Alcohol from Sawdust as an Intermediate Product for the Production of Epoxy Resin

Abstract

This study focuses on the production of vanillin alcohol from sawdust, which is a
renewable and abundant lignocellulosic biomass, as an intermediate product for
the synthesis of epoxy resin. The research aims to utilize sawdust (a waste that
presently creates disposal challenge) as a sustainable raw material to reduce
Nigeria’s reliance on imported specialty chemicals, particularly in the oil and gas
industry. The process involved three main stages: extraction of lignin from sawdust
using a Soxhlet extractor, oxidation of lignin to vanillin with alkaline nitrobenzene,
and the reduction of vanillin-to-vanillin alcohol using sodium borohydride, with
an 80-90% yield. The reaction parameters, which include temperature, reaction
time, NaOH concentration, and sawdust particle size, were systematically varied
to optimize process efficiency and eventual yield. The final product was
characterized using melting point determination and ferric chloride chemical test,
confirming the successful synthesis of vanillin alcohol. The study demonstrated
that smaller sawdust particle sizes (1.18 mm) increased lignin yield due to
enhanced surface area availability, resulting in a 3% improvement in vanillin
production. Key challenges, such as equipment limitations and reagent availability,
were addressed to ensure reliable results. This research presents a cost-effective
and environmentally friendly approach to producing vanillin alcohol, supporting
the development of bio-based epoxy resins and reducing dependency on synthetic
chemicals.