Thermal decomposition and glass transition of industrial hydrolysis lignin

Abstract

Thermal properties of industrial hydrolysis lignin (HL) obtained from bio-ethanol production plants were investigated by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. Thermal decomposition of HL was observed in two stages suggesting coexisting carbohydrates. Glass transition temperature (T g) was observed in a temperature range from 248 to 363 K. T g values were lower than that of other industrial lignins, such as kraft lignin or lignosulfate. Enthalpy relaxation was observed as sub-T g, which is not as prominent as other industrial or laboratory scale isolated lignins. T g of HL decreased in the presence of water and saturated at water content (W c) of 0.18 (mass of water/mass of dry HL). The amount of bound water calculated from melting enthalpy of water and W c was ca. 0.18. Thermal decomposition and molecular motion of as obtained industrial HL are affected by coexisting carbohydrates.