Abstract
The purpose of this study is to modify lignin for better blending with general purpose synthetic polymers. The possible advantages by using this modification would be cost reduction, better physical properties, and biodegradability. In this study, butyrolactone-modified lignin (BLL) and tetrahydrofuran-modified lignin (THFL) were used for aliphatic chain modification of lignin using an acid-catalyzed esterification method in order to mimic the relation of lignin-carbohydrate-complex (LCC) and cellulose. The results of several analyses indicated that lignin was well modified. It was confirmed that the lignin was modified as expected and the reaction sites of the modification, as well as the reaction behaviors, were varied by the reagent types. The result of X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) analysis indicated that modified lignin/polymer blends increased the crystallinity due to their good compatibility. It can be confirmed that the type of alkyl chain and the miscibility gap between the alkyl chain-matrix affected the mechanical properties enormously in the fungi-degradable environment. From this study, a new method of lignin modification is proposed, and it is found that modified lignin retains the property of the substituted aliphatic chain well. This method could be a proper lignin modification method.
Highlights
After the “Bronze Age”, modern society has evolved into the “Plastic Age”
It is necessary to find another natural resource, which is not used as food, have enough amount for industrial applications, and rarely or never used before and lignin may be a good candidate
butyrolactone modified lignin (BLL) was mainly reacted with Al OH and NC Ar OH
Summary
After the “Bronze Age”, modern society has evolved into the “Plastic Age”. There are many types and properties of plastics, for multiple purposes. Almost every plastic is difficult to degrade, requiring a long time, and causing environmental harm. Raw plastic material from natural resources, without any environment problems, is necessary. New plastic research or inventions focus on raw materials which are biodegradable or originated from nature. It is necessary to find another natural resource, which is not used as food, have enough amount for industrial applications, and rarely or never used before and lignin may be a good candidate
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