Summary
Lignins obtained by atmospheric acetic acid delignification of rice straw, birch and fir were characterized by molecular weight, solubility and thermomechanical analysis, and by ultraviolet (UV), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Rice straw lignins (rice lignins) were very different from birch and fir lignins. The former was difficult to dissolve in most tested solvents and infusible on heating, while the latter had a good solubility and fusibility. FTIR spectra indicated that the rice lignins had more conjugated and fewer unconjugated carbonyl groups than the wood lignins. 13C-NMR spectra showed that rice lignins had more polysaccharides associated to the lignin and more p-coumaric and ferulic acid than the wood lignins. Concentrations of acetic acid and choice of catalyst (sulfuric or hydrochloric acid) had a considerable effect on the characteristics of rice lignins. Rice lignin obtained with 90% acetic acid than that obtained with 80% acetic acid, and the lignin obtained with sulfuric acid as catalyst than that obtained with hydrochloric acid, had lower molecular weight, better solubility, lower glass-transition temperature and lower UV absorptivity. 80% acetic acid delignified rice straw less effectively than 90% acetic acid.
