Evaluation of Ligno Boost™ softwood kraft lignin epoxidation as an approach for its application in cured epoxy resins

Abstract In this study, modification of LignoBoost™ softwood kraft lignin with epichlorhydrin in water-organic solvents media was realized. Lignin-based epoxy resins were obtained by two ways: acetone extraction of glycidylated lignin or glycidylation of the acetone soluble lignin fraction. The effect of glycidylation regimes on the yields of acetone soluble fractions, their functional composition and physical-chemical characteristics was investigated using wet chemistry methods, FTIR spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The positive effect of the biphasic phase transfer catalytic system – KOH/quaternary ammonium salt – on glycidylat…