scholarly journals Molecular Weight Distribution and Dissolution Behavior of Lignin in Alkaline Solutions

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 4166
Author(s):  
Jie Yang ◽  
Mengya Sun ◽  
Liang Jiao ◽  
Hongqi Dai

Lignin, as the sole renewable aromatic resource in nature, has great potential for replacing fossil resources. However, the complexity of its structure limits its high value utilization, and the molecular weight distribution and dissolution behavior of lignin in alkaline solutions is still unclear. In this study, a conventional lignin separation during the pulping process in an alkaline hydrothermal system was performed by controlling the amount of NaOH, reaction temperature and holding time. Various analysis methods, including GPC, 2D–HSQC NMR and FTIR were used to study the characteristics of lignin fragments dissolved from wood. We were aiming to understand the rule of lignin dissolution and the recondensation mechanism during the process. The results showed dissolution of lignin due to ether bond fracturing by OH− attacking the Cα or Cβ positions of the side chain with penetration of NaOH, and the lignin fragments in solution recondensed into complex lignin with more stable C–C bonds. The experimental results also prove that the average molecular weight increased from 4337 g/mol to 11,036 g/mol and that holding time from 60 min to 120 min at 150 °C with 14 wt% of NaOH.

Holzforschung ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 495-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Binh T.T. Dang ◽  
Harald Brelid ◽  
Hans Theliander

Abstract The molecular weight distribution (MWD) of dissolved lignin as a function of time during kraft cooking of Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L) has been investigated, while the influence of sodium ion concentration ([Na+]) on the MWD was in focus. The kraft cooking was performed in a small scale flow-through reactor and the [Na+] was controlled by the addition of either Na2CO3 or NaCl. Fractions of black liquors (BL) were collected at different cooking times and the lignin was separated from the BL by acidification. The MWD of the dissolved lignin was analyzed by GPC. Results show that the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of dissolved lignin increases gradually as function of cooking time. An increase of [Na+] in the cooking liquor leads to Mw decrement. Findings from cooks with constant and varying [Na+] imply that the retarding effect of an increased [Na+] on delignification is related to the decrease in lignin solubility at higher [Na+].


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