The development of methodology to produce lignins with controlled chemical structure and molecular weight properties and with predictable viscoelastic and thermomechanical behavior should permit a comprehensive evaluation of industrial lignins, and their limitations, as polymers for advanced carbon fibre and other value-added applications. In the present study we produced high-quality lignins by using ultra-filtration of industrial black liquor obtained from kraft pulping of softwood. Ceramic membranes with cut-offs of 1 KDa, 5 KDa and 10 KDa were used to obtain lignin fractions with molecular weight distributions within the following ranges: 0-1 KDa, 0-5 KDa, 1-5 KDa, 5-10 KDa, > 5 KDa, >10 KDa. Molecular weight properties were studied by gel-permission chromatography (GPC). The thermal properties of obtained lignins were evaluated by thermo-gravimetrical analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Information on the viscoelastic properties such as softening point (Tg), cross-linking capability of a specific lignin fraction as well as the prediction of spinning parameters for the development of lignin fibers was based on dynamic rheology measurements.

Evaluation of physico-chemical properties and prediction of spinning parameters for high-quality lignins produced by ultra-filtration of industrial Kraft liquor

245th National Meeting (2013)

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