Characterization Methods and Techniques 117
Table 4.2Advantages and disadvantages of biomass characterization methods and techniques.
Techniques Advantages Disadvantages
Two-step acid hydrolysis •Quantitative
- Well established and well accepted
- Destructive
- Analysis time by HPLC can be long
- Labor intensive
- Toxicity from acids and corrosion
products
CP/MAS^13 CNMR •Detailed analysis
- Nondestructive
- Selective
- Low throughput
- Insensitive
- Long analysis time
- Expensive
- Automation is challenging
XRD •Fast analysis
- Nondestructive
- Results are qualitative and
quantitative
- Low throughput
- Peak convolution
- Safety due to X-ray
FTIR •High-throughput capabilities
- Nondestructive
- Fast analysis
- Qualitative
- Peak convolution
- Very sensitive to moisture
- May require specific sample
preparation (e.g., KBr)
Raman spectroscopy •Not sensitive to moisture
- Easy sample preparation
- Multiple excitation sources
including ultraviolet (UV),
near-infrared (NIR), and visible
(VIS), so this can tailor for various
analytes
- High throughput
- Applicable to solid, liquid, and gas
- Weak signal
- Sensitive to strayed light
Pyro-GC/MS •Only small amounts of samples are
needed
- Easy sample preparation
- No need to isolate lignin
- Can be high throughput
- Destructive
- Complex data analysis
Solution-state NMR •Detailed structural information
- Quantitation can be done without
calibration standards
- Destructive
- Semiquantitative
- Analysis can be long
- Insensitive
- Expensive
- Automation is challenging
- Complex set-up due to
inter-relationships between sample
concentration, sample solubility
limit, and acquisition time
GPC •Fast analysis
- A wide array of available detectors
for the analysis of various
polymers including multi-angled
light scattering (MALS),
ultraviolet (UV), and refractive
index (RI)
- A number of calibration standards
are needed for accuracy
- Destructive
- Semiquantitative
- Complex analysis for polydispersed
polymers
Source: Adapted from Refs [64, 65].
