Synthesis of Polymer Structures From Lignocellulose Feedstocks

Abstract

Two types of polymer structures were synthesized from feedstocks derived from mesquite wood. One appears to be a random copolymer with styrene which was polymerized by free radical mechanisms in a water suspension. As much as 10% by weight of the mesquite feedstock was added to the copolymer structure. This addition raised the Tg of the copolymer by 10°C over that of the polystyrene homopolymer.The second polymer structure was a modified adhesive resin. In this case, the mesquite wood feedstock was reacted with paraformaldehyde by condensation to a B stage. Particle boards containing 55 parts of ground mesquite to 45 parts of adhesive resin were compression molded for test purposes.As had been demonstrated by earlier investigators, the use of paraformaldehyde was required to bridge the substituted aromatic structures derived from the mesquite lignin.It was concluded that substantial fractions of lignin recovered from biomass could be utilized in the synthesis of high molecular weight polymers. The major difficulties include product uniformity and the removal of substantial quantities of water in order to concentrate the reactants.