Extraction of lignin from wastes of sugarcane bagasse and its utilization as an admixture for Portland cement
The influence of the prepared carboxy-methylated lignin extracted from sugarcane bagasse was investigated. Results showed that the w/c ratio and also setting times of the blank (L0) were reduced with the lignin content. The heat of hydration, combined water content, bulk density and compressive strength of the blank (L0) slightly increased with increasing of lignin content, but only up to 0.3 % lignin (L5) and then decreased. The free lime content decreased with the lignin content nearly at all hydration times up to 90 days due to the gradual reduction of the cement portion. The total porosity of the blank (L0) reduced gradually with lignin content up to 0.3 % lignin, and then increased with further increase of lignin. The FTIR spectra illustrated that the rate of hydration increased with lignin content. The SEM-EDAX image analysis showed the improved microstructure of cement pastes in presence of carboxy-methylated lignin when compared with that of the blank.