Lignin-polymer blends: evaluation of compatibility by image analysis

This paper opens onto a general discussion on the development of new polymeric materials obtained from lignin blends. The aim is (i) to look for good polymer candidates to obtain a good compatibility with lignins (that is among semi polar polymers), and (ii) to look for good lignin candidates to obtain a good compatibility with polymers showing extreme behaviours (very polar, e.g. starch, or apolar, e.g. polypropylene). The compatibility is simply assessed through the blend morphology, as studied by visible microscopy. The morphology of the blends obtained from semi polar polymers is very sensitive to the variation of the solubility parameters. In a low range of polymer solubility parameters (Deltadelta = 1 cal cm(-3)), both heterogeneous and homogeneous systems are obtained. These blends could be easily improved by a careful choice in the polymer structure (particularly in the family of biodegradable polyesters); it could be possible also to take advantage of lignin variability to improve the compatibility. Only low molecular weight lignins are compatible with apolar and very polar matrixes. These compounds induce interesting specific properties, and original methods have to be looked for in order to improve their production. (C) 2004 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.