Improvement of polypropylene (PP)-modified bitumen through lignin addition

Abstract

View the article online for updates and enhancements. Abstract. Polypropylene (PP) is usually added to bitumen to improve its mechanical properties, however, both of them have different chemical properties. To achieve best mechanical properties of the mixture, coupling agent such as lignin is importantly required. Lignin is an amorphous biopolymer, has bipolar characteristic due to its distinct chemical function which has carbonyl, carboxyl, hydroxyl and phenol chemical function. Otherwise, bitumen and PP have polar and nonpolar characteristic, respectively. In the previous research, it is found that lignin is potential to be used as coupling agent. In order to confirm the potential of lignin as a coupling agent, there are various compounds of lignin on PP-bitumen mixtures used in this research. This experiment consists of several stages, ranging from sample preparation, characterization of raw materials, mixing, and characterization of the PP-Modified Bitumen. This experiment used hot melt mixing to mix lignin, PP, and bitumen. The result of this experimental was analyzed by using FTIR and FESEM. The addition of lignin make Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) getting better mixing and increase mechanical properties. Furthermore, FESEM characterization indicated that the addition of lignin gave better mixing of PP-Bitumen. FTIR showed a new chemical structure due to the addition of lignin. From this experiment, the addition of lignin can improve mixing between PP and Bitumen. So, we can use lignin as coupling agent.

Effect of Cold Plasma Treatment on Physical Properties of Multilayer Plastics for Polymer Asphalt Applications

“…The higher the penetration value, the softer the sample should be. Along with the addition of plastic content, the penetration value will decrease, causing the modified bitumen to become harder [34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. Based on the standard requirements by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, polymer asphalt has a penetration value of 40-80 [6].…”

Use of New Green Bitumen Modifier for Asphalt Mixtures Recycling

“…The studies showed an improvement of permanent deformation and water resistance of asphalt concrete containing 20% lignin. The study described by Yuanita et al [ 17 ] indicated that lignin biopolymer addition enhanced interactions between polymer and bitumen as a result of the chemical reaction of OH groups present in biopolymer with asphalt components by ether (-C-O-C-) linkage formation. Therefore, lignin can be successfully applied as a coupling agent in polypropylene-modified bitumen.…”

The High Temperature Performance Evaluation of Polymer/Nanocomposite Modified Asphalt Cement

“…Research regarding PE and PP modified binders has demonstrated similar findings, such as that increased complex modulus and reduced phase angle generate better resistance to permanent deformation. However, it was also noted in the literature that the addition of plastomeric modifiers commonly leads to more brittle behavior of AC, thus exhibiting poor low temperature performance (11,12). Consequently, coupling agents have been used with plastomers in order to eliminate the drawbacks related to the chemical and physical properties of plastomeric polymers (13).…”

“…Consequently, coupling agents have been used with plastomers in order to eliminate the drawbacks related to the chemical and physical properties of plastomeric polymers (13). A study conducted by Yuanita et al, (11) demonstrated that the addition of lignin to PP leads to better compatibility between the base bitumen and the polymer. The findings of Bala et al, (12) also demonstrated that PE/nanosilica modified binders possess better morphological properties as well as improved low temperature performance.…”