What is lignin?

Lignin is an aromatic polymer and the second most abundant organic polymer on earth[1], which is a renewable raw material[2]. Lignin is a component of lignin, which exists in wood and bark, and helps plants defend against pests and pathogens [3], and its chemical composition varies with plant species.

Market value of lignin

Lignin can be extracted in a simple and low-cost way and has been shown to replace other expensive and non-renewable aromatic polymers [2]. The most important thing is that it can be used as a substitute for petroleum phenolic polymers [4]. In addition, some derivatives of lignin are in line with the value of sustainable chemistry and recycling, which has brought them renewed attention in the market in recent years.

Application areas of lignin

Lignin is widely used in many fields, such as dispersants, adhesives, emulsifiers, drilling fluids, cosmetics, lithium-ion batteries or fillers for the production of polyurethane, and has shown bright application results.

Types of lignin

Lignin is a water-insoluble long-chain heterogeneous polymer, and the lignin structure extracted from different plant species or industrial by-products of different industries may be different, so the types are relatively rich, including sulfate lignin, lignosulfonic acid Salt, soda lignin, and kraft lignin [5]...etc.

Because the chemical properties of lignin are mostly hydrophobic, it has not been widely used at first, so it needs to be modified to improve its utilization. For example, kraft lignin, a by-product of the kraft paper industry that has increased in output in recent years, can be upgraded to sulfobutylated lignin with a longer alkyl chain if it is synthesized with 1,4-BS. SBL), which can improve its hydrophilicity and dispersibility [7].

In addition, because the hydroxyl groups in lignin are easily oxidized to carbonyl or converted to quinoid structure, the appearance of lignin is dark and cannot be used in light-colored dye dispersants [4]. At this time, you can expand the application range by subtracting its color. According to the research, because the phenolic hydroxyl group of 1,4-butane sultone (1,4-BS) is blocked, if 1,4-butane sultone (1,4-BS) and eucalyptus sulfate lignin are synthesized into light-colored lignin Sulfonate can achieve sulfonation and excellent color reduction effect at the same time [6].

Under the global trend of increasing attention to the concept of environmental sustainability, the market prospect of lignin is quite optimistic. If you have lignin modification needs, HOPAX, as a manufacturer and supplier of 1,4 BS (1,4-butane sultone), is very happy to provide you with high-quality services and 1,4-BS.

Welcome to contact us for 1,4-BS product information.

Further Reading: 1,4-BS(1,4-Butane Sultone) used in biomedicine

References:

^[1] https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-84042012000400003

^[2] Lignin: A Renewable Raw Material
(https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-803581-8.11517-6)

^[3] Lignin-based barrier restricts pathogens to the infection site and confers resistance in plants
https://doi.org/10.15252/embj.2019101948

^[4] Basic understanding of the color distinction of lignin and the proper selection of lignin in color-depended utilizations
(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.01.105)

^[5]Comprehensive approach on the structure, production, processing, and application of lignin

^[6] Color reduction of sulfonated eucalyptus kraft lignin
(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.01.031)

^[7] Using Sulfobutylated and Sulfomethylated Lignin as Dispersant for Kaolin Suspension
(https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12092046)

^[8] Global lignin supply overview and kraft lignin potential as an alternative for petroleum-based polymers
(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.109768)

^[9] Nano-Structured Lignin as Green Antioxidant and UV Shielding Ingredient for Sunscreen Applications
(https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10020274)

^[10] High-value utilization of kraft lignin: Color reduction and evaluation as sunscreen ingredient
(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.04.092)

^[11] Kraft lignin as filler in PLA to improve ductility and thermal properties
(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2015.01.055)

^[12] Highly Robust Lithium Ion Battery Anodes from Lignin: An Abundant, Renewable, and Low-Cost Material
(https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201301420)

^[13] The Application of Ferric Chloride-Lignin Sulfonate as Shale Inhibitor in Water-Based Drilling Fluid
(https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24234331)

^[14] High-value utilization of eucalyptus kraft lignin: Preparation and characterization as efficient dye dispersant
(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.11.118)