Physicochemical characterization of lignin recovered from microwave‐assisted delignified lignocellulosic biomass for use in biobased materials

Abstract

Lignocellulosic biomass (Moso Bamboo, Chinese tallow tree wood, switchgrass, and pine wood) was subjected to a novel delignification process using microwave energy in a binary glycerol/methanol solvent. The physicochemical properties of the recovered lignin were analyzed prior to its application in the fabrication of polylactic acid (PLA)–lignin composites. The results showed that the samples had a high Klason lignin content (>75%) and retained their natural structure. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the recovered lignin exhibited a different thermal decomposition pattern from that of commercial lignins. All the recovered lignins had good solubility in common organic solvents (acetone, 1,4‐dioxane, THF, DMSO, and ethanol/water) and 1 mol/L NaOH solution. The addition of lignin into the PLA matrix resulted in the improvement in tensile properties of PLA–lignin composites. PLA films with low lignin content had good UV light‐resistant properties, indicating that the recovered lignin has potential in packaging of light‐sensitive products. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42635.

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