ABSTRACT Different classes of solvents such as mineral acids and ionic liquids have proved to be capable of disrupting hydrogen bonds among different polysaccharide chains. Recently, a specific family of proticionic liquids (PILs) has been developed with functionality in various industrial applications, adding to the benefits and advantages of their use, since they are absent of aromatic or halogenated molecular structure, making them structurally free of toxicity. This work aimed to verify the influence of proticionic liquids 2-HDEAS, 2-HEACi, 2-HEAL impregnated in the Prosopis juliflora (mesquite) biomass, through the thermogravimetric analysis of macrocomponents hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin. Tests were performed in a simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis equipment under inert atmosphere, 100 mL/min of nitrogen, and 10 °C/min heating rate. It was verified that all PILs present great potential in the degradation and dissolution of the macrocomponent structure of Prosopis juliflora.

Activated carbons (ACs) with well–developed microstructure and high microporosity were obtained from biomass by potassium hydroxide activation. The preparation process consisted in producing carbon materials in the ratios of activating agent to raw material 70:30, 50:50, 30:70 and 25:75 (w/w) characterized by thermal analysis coupled to spectroscopy (TG–DTA / FT–IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2 adsorption isotherms at –196 ºC and activation isotherm at 500 and 600 ºC for 3.0 h. Specific surface areas (SBET) within 728 and 1712 m2 g-1 and (Smic) within 1054 and 1923 m2 g-1 were obtained, while the micropores surface area was calculated using the Dubinin-Astakhov (DA) equation and the pore size distribution calculated from density functional theory (DFT) was found to be in the range 1.09 – 1.77 nm. Adsorption isotherms were fitted using Langmuir and Freundlich non–linear models and the adsorption capacity determined for methylene blue dye was between 27.13 and 459.20 mg g-1.