Study of performance properties of lignin-based polyblends with polyvinyl chloride

A new class of renewable, biocompatible and biodegradable materials from agricultural feedstock is fast emerging as an upcoming field of interest. The biopolymer lignin-based thermoplastics are fabricated through polymer blending and chemical modification that possess variety of applications. The existences of miscible polymer blends of lignin are rare. FTIR values and thermal analysis of our study revealed the formation of miscible blends of lignin with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Optical measurements of these blends suggest increased surface reflectance with the increase in the amount of lignin. Film properties of the blends like scratch hardness, bend strength and impact values suggest the rigidity due to the presence of phenolic component and reduced flexibility of the polyblends. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.