Development of Lignin-based Polycarboxylates as a Plasticizer for Cement Paste via Peracetic Acid Oxidation

Kraft lignin (KL) was oxidized by peracetic acid, which is generated by mixing acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, to produce polycarboxylates for use as a plasticizer for cement paste. Peracetic acid cleaves the aromatic ring structure of KL and introduces carboxylate groups with ring-opened chain structure. After oxidation, the water-soluble fraction (Cx-lig) was obtained, and the performance of the Cx-lig as a plasticizer was compared with two commercial plasticizers, lignosulfonate (LS) and polycarboxylate ether (PCE). In mortar table tests, the increase in cement fluidity with the Cx-lig was greater than with LS and PCE. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance, gel permeation chromatography, elemental analysis, and charge density analysis were used to determine the structure of the Cx-lig. Considering all the results, the Cx-lig had a polycarboxylate structure containing numerous carboxylate groups, and their high charge density was the key factor that caused the Cx-lig to increase the cement fluidity more than LS or PCE.