Easy and scalable synthesis of a lignosulfonate-derived thermoplastic with improved thermal and mechanical properties

A lignosulfonate (LS)-derived thermoplastic was synthesized using a simple and scalable grafting reaction with a polyethylene glycol derivative (phenylPEG). The grafted polymer, polyethylene glycol-grafted LS (LS-g-PEG), had improved thermo-moldability and mechanical properties in a bending test, compared with pure LS and an LS/phenylPEG (LS/PEG) blend. Small-angle X-ray scattering analyses showed that LS-g-PEG had a nano-scale (20-30 nm) homogeneous lamellar structure, whereas the LS/PEG blend was separated into an LS-rich phase and a crystalline phenylPEG lamellar phase. The nano-scale structure of LS-g-PEG provides macroscopic homogeneity, as confirmed by fracture surface observation and polarized microscopy analysis; its high homogeneity resulted in enhanced thermo-moldability and mechanical properties, compared with an LS/PEG blend.

Automated summary

A lignosulfonate-derived thermoplastic was successfully synthesized through a grafting reaction with a polyethylene glycol derivative. The resulting grafted polymer, LS-g-PEG, exhibited improved thermo-moldability and mechanical properties compared to pure LS and an LS/phenylPEG blend. Small-angle X-ray scattering analysis revealed a nano-scale homogeneous lamellar structure in LS-g-PEG, while the LS/PEG blend showed phase separation. The nano-scale structure of LS-g-PEG contributed to its macroscopic homogeneity, leading to enhanced thermo-moldability and mechanical properties.