SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIO-ETHANOL FROM PAPER WASTE

This study investigates the production of bioethanol from paper waste using acid pretreatment, fermentation, and distillation. Paper waste collected from the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria, was treated with sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) to release fermentable sugars by breaking down hemicellulose and lignin. The fermented mixture 11 underwent distillation, and the resulting bioethanol was analyzed for its physicochemical properties. The bioethanol showed an acid value of 153.7 mg KOH/g, an iodine value of 1.5 ml I₂/69 mg, a refractive index of 1.34, a density of 1.186 g/ml, a specific gravity of 3.54, and a cloud point of 10°C. FTIR analysis revealed functional groups associated with alcohols, alkenes, ethers, and aromatic compounds, including peaks at (3337.90 cm⁻¹) O-H stretching, (1633.00 cm⁻¹) C=O stretching, (1188.38 cm⁻¹ and 1050.48 cm⁻¹ )C-O stretching, and (609.30 cm⁻¹ and 579.06 cm⁻¹)aromatic and structural vibrations. The bioethanol yield was calculated at 60%, indicating moderate efficiency, with some losses during fermentation or distillation. Process optimization, such as refining fermentation time, temperature, or pretreatment methods, could improve the yield. Despite this, the study demonstrates that paper waste is a viable feedstock for renewable bioethanol production,