Insights on selection of lignosulfonates for modification of polysulfone

This work shares new insights into the use of lignosulfonate (LGS) to modify polysulfone (PSF), regarding the selection of the LGS to enable control over the structure and properties of formed PSF/LGS composites. Our results show that the porosity of PSF film can be enhanced or reduced by blending of LGS-Mg or LFS-Ca, respectively. The PSF/LGS-Mg blended film exhibited enhanced water adsorption and conductivity as compared with the pure PSF and other LGS-doped PSF porous films. The blending of LGS with different ions in the PSF network, without considerably modifying the molecular structure and thermal stability of PSF below 520 degrees C, enhanced the thermal-mechanical properties of PSF films.

Automated summary

This study provides new insights into the modification of polysulfone using lignosulfonate, focusing on the selection of lignosulfonate to control the structure and properties of the composite materials. The results show that blending LGS-Mg or LFS-Ca can enhance or reduce the porosity of polysulfone films. Blending different ions of lignosulfonate with the polysulfone network enhances the thermal-mechanical properties of the films without significantly modifying the molecular structure and thermal stability below 520 degrees C.