(790k) Properties of Modified Kraft Lignin for Use in Thermoplastic Composites

With the ever-increasing use and popularity of thermoplastics, effective waste management continues to be an area of interest. In order to preserve or improve the quality of the recycled material, thermoplastic composites have been researched. The properties of modified Kraft lignin by two methods (i.e. acetylation and maleation) are investigated and the results are compared with virgin Kraft lignin. Kraft lignin is considered a commercial byproduct of the Kraft pulping of wood chips. In this study, the thermal and morphological properties of the esterified Kraft lignin are analyzed. The lignin is modified by esterification using acetic and maleic anhydride to alter solubility behavior in nonpolar solvents for application in thermoplastics. The morphology of the composite materials is examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is used to study the glass transition temperature and thermal stability of the modified lignin samples. The results are compared with virgin Kraft lignin.