Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(arylene ether sulfone) Kraft Lignin Heat Stable Copolymers

In this effort we aim at documenting our understanding of using the phenolic hydroxyl groups of technical softwood kraft lignin in replacing the multifunctional phenolic component required for the synthesis of poly(arylene ether) sulfones. To do this we use a two-pronged approach that uses fractionated softwood kraft lignin whose phenolic hydroxyl groups have been systematically protected in order to avoid gelation when copolymerized with 4, 4'-diflourodiphenyl sulfone (DFDPS). This has been done by careful 31P NMR profiling of the various hydroxyl groups-present in the lignin as a function of the degree of phenolic hydroxyl group protection. For all copolymers, weight average molecular weights (Mw), polydispersity indices (PDI), glass transition temperatures (Tg), and thermal stability profiles (TGA) were obtained, providing an integrated picture of the scientific and technological ramifications of this work. Overall, this effort provides the foundations for creating lignin copolymers of controlled and modulated characteristics exhibiting augmented thermal stability. Such thermal properties and uniform molecular weight distributions of lignins and copolymers produced from commercial lignins provides a means for beneficially modulating the properties of an otherwise intractable biopolymer.