A novel organosolv lignin/polylactide copolymer with improved hydrophobicity compared to a polylactide homopolymer was synthesized. Characteristic physical and mechanical properties of the resulting material were determined. Lignin, generally considered a waste product of the paper industry, is the second most plentiful natural polymer on earth and holds the promise of improving some of the common deficiencies found in polylactide homopolymers. Organosolv lignin extraction offers a clean, sulfur-free lignin that promises to be a residue-free alternative to other lignin products in the biorefinery model. Lignin was extracted from switchgrass, which is a lignocellulosic material that grows freely in areas not suitable for crops and has the potential to boost raw material volume in biorefineries. A copolymer of lactide and organosolv lignin from switchgrass was synthesized through a ring-opening polymerization. With 0.4% organosolv lignin in the copolymer, hydrophobicity was reduced by 32-63% at varied hygrostatic conditions compared to the lactide homopolymer as demonstrated by water vapor transmission rate studies. Hydrolytic degradation of the copolymer at varying temperatures was slowed, but not prevented. The copolymer also demonstrated higher strength properties, but increased brittleness.

Characteristic properties of novel organosolv lignin/polylactide copolymers

251st National Meeting (2016)

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