Poly(N-isopropylacryamide) (PNIPAM) brushes were synthesized on lignin nanofibrous mats by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). A series of PNIPAM brushes with different thicknesses were prepared by changing the SI-ATRP reaction conditions, such as monomer concentration and surface initiator density. The modified lignin nanofibre surfaces were characterized by XPS, water contact angle measurements, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, AFM, SEM, TGA and DSC. The LCST of the surface grafted PNIPAM exhibited clear differences as compared to pure PNIPAM in the presence of salts. AFM images demonstrated that the PNIPAM grafted lignin nanofibres expand in water and contract in salt solution. By controlling the salt concentration the hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties and tensile strength of the lignin-PNIPAM nanofibres could be manipulated.

Synthesis of lignin nanofibres with ionic-responsive shells: Water-expandible lignin-based nanofibrous mats

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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