Synthesis, characterization and aging tests of functional rigid polymeric biocomposites with kraft lignin

This study concerns the synthesis of biocomposites with kraft lignin, investigation of their physicochemical prop-erties, and tests of their resistance to environmental factors such as UV irradiation and water. The biocomposites were synthesized using bisphenol A glycerolate (1 glycerol/phenol) diacrylate (BPA.DA) as a main monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a reactive diluent, and kraft lignin (L) as an environmentally friendly filler, in a UV curing process. Morphological analysis of the resulting materials was carried out using scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. Thermal properties were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. Tensile and flexural tests were performed for all obtained materials. Additionally, the wettability and swelling of the obtained composite samples were analyzed. The changes observed in the structure and properties of the polymers as a result of aging were investigated by means of ATR-FTIR analysis, optical profilometry and hardness tests. The results obtained regarding the effect of lignin addition on the properties of composite mate-rials, with particular emphasis on their resistance to environmental factors, may be of crucial importance for their further applications, inter alia as UV-curable coating materials. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study focused on the synthesis of biocomposites with kraft lignin, their physicochemical properties, and resistance to environmental factors such as UV irradiation and water. The addition of lignin was found to have a significant impact on the properties of the composite materials, especially in terms of their resistance to environmental factors.