We take advantage of the amphiphilic properties of lignin and its calorific value to develop added value applications in the form of oil-in-water emulsions. Industrial Kraft and organosolv lignins were modified by carboxymethylation and acetylation in order to tune their hydrophilic and hydrophobic characters, respectively. The degree of substitution was controlled by the reaction conditions. The extent of substitution was determined by 13C NMR which indicated lignins with various affinities to the aqueous and oil phases as measured by solubility, surface tension, pseudo-CMC, etc. As a proof-of-concept, we used kerosene (equivalent alkyl carbon number of 12) as the oil phase. The salinity and pH of the aqueous phase were varied as formulation variables in different Winsor types of systems which were emulsified using standard protocols. We relate the results from phase behavior to the nature and stability of the emulsions in O:W ratios ranging from 2:8 to 8:2.

Phase behavior and properties of the oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by carboxymethylated and acetylated lignins

245th National Meeting (2013)

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