<p>A new type of
modified
lignin, lignin-p-Boc, was obtained through reaction with di-<i>tert</i>-butyl dicarbonate (Boc<sub>2</sub>O) in
aqueous media catalyzed
by 4-dimethylaminopyridine
(DMAP). Boc modification occurred regardless
of type of lignin,
was tunable, and proceeded well in recovering lignin at
high purity
from sodium lignosulfonate (a common byproduct from pulping
industry; lignin content: 60%). Lignin-p-BOC was demonstrated as a potential reactive
filler in green plastic and as a potential crosslinker in design of
bioresorbable composite polymeric implants. Furthermore, the effects of the
modification on the breakdown rate of alkali lignin by microbes was
investigated, and the results showed that the modification substantially
decreases the breakdown rate. The tunable Boc modification process was designed
via a system thinking, including availability of raw lignin, economical/green
modification, potentiality of drop-in-change to current thermoplastic
processing, modification impact on microbial degradability/disposed environment
at the end of use life; hence the holistic consideration makes this alternative method for upgrade of
technical lignins very practical for future industrial application. Via forming “easily breakable covalent bonds” with thermopolymers,
Lignin-p-BOCs
are also promising to play an important role as both excellent binders via
“random match” and reductants in transforming linear plastic waste into
circular plastics.</p><br>