Journal
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
Volume 9, Issue 1, Pages 458-470Publisher
AMER CHEMICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c07634
Keywords
Kraft lignin; polydispersity; fractionation; electrospinning; dynamical mechanical properties; thermal analysis; hydrophobicity
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Funding
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council's Engage Grants [EGP 528115-18]
- Canada's Research Chairs program
- Edwina and Paul Heller Memorial Fund
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This study utilized acetone fractionation to improve the homogeneity of softwood kraft lignin and analyzed the molecular weight, chemical structure, thermal properties, and dynamic mechanical properties of the resulting fractions. Significant differences were observed between the two fractions, and fibers produced from these fractions showed improved characteristics.
The complexity and polydispersity of lignin, the most abundant aromatic polymer in nature, create great challenges for its valorization for value-added materials and products. Reducing the heterogeneity of industrial lignin and identifying the structure-property relationships are a necessity to achieve predictable and high performance materials for polymeric applications. In this study, a simple one-step solvent extraction method using an industrial solvent, acetone, was presented as a tool to improve the homogeneity of softwood kraft lignin (SKL). The effect of acetone fractionation on the molecular weight (GPC), chemical structure (C-13 and HSQC NMR), and thermal (DSC and TGA) and dynamical mechanical properties (compressive-torsion DMA) of soluble (ASKL) and insoluble (AISKL) lignin fractions was evaluated. Results showed that two fractions had significant differences in chemical structure, and functional groups, showing distinct thermal flow and viscoelastic behaviors along with large shifts in the glass-to-rubbery transition temperatures of nearly 80 degrees C. Electrospun submicron fibers composed of 99 wt % lignin were produced from ASKL and AISKL fractions, which had improved spinnability characteristics compared to their parent SKL lignin. Thermomechanical properties of fiber mats were studied by a tensile dynamical mechanical analyzer, and the heat-induced change in the morphology of fibers was evaluated by SEM. Fiber mats produced from ASKL fractions showed increased water resistance and hydrophobicity as revealed by water contact angle measurements.
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