Lignin is a complex biopolymer that is usually fractionated from wood using chemical methods such as kraft or sulphite pulping. In both cases, extracted lignin contains residuals of sulphur that restricts applications in several value chains of advanced materials. In this work we present a new method to extract sulphur free lignin using hydrotropes and precipitation in water. Hydrotropic extraction is known since 1950's where long extraction times of 12 hours have been used. In this work we present a new method to extract hydrotropic lignin in 2h. The hydrotropic lignin was characterized using SEC and NMR and elemental analyses to assess molar mass distribution and functional groups. Our results proved that the lignin biopolymer could be selectively fractionated. Hydrotropic lignin was blended to cellulose and shaped to beads and microspheres suitable for advanced applications in water treatment and controlled release.

Hydrotropic extraction and shaping of lignin to advanced materials

245th National Meeting (2013)

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