Recent progress in sulfur-containing technical lignin-based polymer composites

Abstract

The aromatic biopolymer lignin, present in lignocellulosic material, can act as an antioxidant and has antimicrobial and UV blocking properties due to the presence of aromatic ring and phenolic hydroxyl groups with aliphatic hydroxyl, carboxyl, methoxy groups. It is produced in huge amounts as a by-product during the delignification process in the paper and pulp industries. Lignin-based polymer composites with advantageous properties can fulfill the growing demand for lightweight polymer composites. Incorporating lignin as reinforcement in polymer composite can make it more environmentally friendly. Among four technical lignin, kraft lignin and lignosulfonate have a unique molecular structure that includes sulfur and can be extracted from black liquor and spent liquor, respectively. Moreover, the negatively charged sulfite groups in lignosulfonate can have an electrostatic attraction to a wide range of positively charged polymers and materials, making it an ideal additive for the adsorbent material. The main intention of this review is to increase the knowledge on the use of cheap and widely available kraft lignin and lignosulfonate as reinforcement in polymer composites and to find the shortcomings to advance further research on the application of technical lignin. The article mainly focuses on advancements in kraft lignin and lignosulfonate polymer composites.