Methanol Fractionation of Softwood Kraft Lignin: Impact on the Lignin Properties

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2014 · ChemSuSChem

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.201300509· OSTI ID:1118745

Saito, Tomonori ^[1]; Perkins, Joshua H ^[1]; Vautard, Frederic ^[1]; Meyer, III, Harry M ^[1]; Messman, Jamie M ^[1]; Tolnai, Balazs ^[1]; Naskar, Amit K ^[1]

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1. ORNL

The development of technologies to tune lignin properties for high-performance lignin-based materials is crucial for the utilization of lignin in various applications. Here, the effect of methanol (MeOH) fractionation on the molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, glass transition temperature (Tg), thermal decomposition, and chemical structure of lignin were investigated. Repeated MeOH fractionation of softwood Kraft lignin successfully removed the low-molecular-weight fraction. The separated high-molecular-weight lignin showed a Tg of 211 C and a char yield of 47%, much higher than those of asreceived lignin (Tg 153 C, char yield 41%). The MeOH-soluble fraction of lignin showed an increased low-molecular-weight fraction and a lower Tg (117 C) and char yield (32%). The amount of low-molecular-weight fraction showed a quantitative correlation with both 1/Tg and char yield in a linear regression. This study demonstrated the efficient purification or fractionation technology for lignin; it also established a theoretical and empirical correlation between the physical characteristics of fractionated lignins.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS); Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). High Temperature Materials Lab. (HTML)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1118745
• Journal Information: ChemSuSChem, Vol. 7, Issue 1; ISSN 1864-5631
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English