Our goal is to explore lignocellulosic fibers, as well as their major components, as renewable raw material. The presence of phenolic aromatic rings in lignins and lignosulfonates (both byproducts of biorefineries) enables their use in the preparation of phenolic polymers (that can be used as matrix in lignophenolic composites), and the presence of hydroxyl groups  allows their use in the preparation of polyurethanes (that can be used as matrix in lignopolyurethanes composites). Lignocellulosic fibers, including sisal, have been used as reinforcements of these matrices. The results have shown that the fiber-matrix adhesion have been improved, due to the presence of similar functional groups in the matrices and fibers, increasing the mechanical properties of the lignin/lignocellulosic fibers-based composites. Sisal, which is largely available in Brazil, has a short life cycle and their fibers have a high cellulose content,  making sisal very attractive when the target is obtaining glucose, aiming subsequent production of bioethanol. In this context, the hydrolysis of sisal pulp, catalyzed by acid or enzymes, have been under consideration. In addition, studies have been developed aiming at the synthesis (homogeneous and heterogeneous media) of sisal cellulose esters with different chain lengths, subsequently used to prepare biocomposites-type film, from mixed solutions of sisal cellulose esters and cellulose, via casting or electrospinning. The good preliminary results have led to the use of eletrospinning to prepare filmogenic mats from a mixed solution of a thermoplastic polymer (PET) and sisal lignocellulosic fiber. Lignocellulosic fibers have been rebuilt in a submicroscopic or nanometric scale and their presence has led to films with different properties compared to the neat PET film. These are ongoing projects and the set of results already obtained are promising and meets the expectation of adding value to lignocellulosic fibers.

Adding value to lignocellulosic fibers and to their main components

247th National Meeting (2014)

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