Biorefinery Willow Lignin and Poly(Lactic Acid)
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SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Digital Commons @ ESF Dissertations and Theses 12-10-2019 Lignin Thermoplastic Blends: Biorefinery Willow Lignin and Poly(lactic acid) Mathew J. Ovadias [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.esf.edu/etds Recommended Citation Ovadias, Mathew J., "Lignin Thermoplastic Blends: Biorefinery Willow Lignin and Poly(lactic acid)" (2019). Dissertations and Theses. 119. https://digitalcommons.esf.edu/etds/119 This Open Access Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ ESF. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ ESF. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. LIGNIN THERMOPLASTIC BLENDS: BIOREFINERY WILLOW LIGNIN AND POLY(LACTIC ACID) by Mathew J. Ovadias A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science Degree State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, New York December 2019 Department of Paper and Bioprocess Engineering Approved by: Biljana Bujanović, Major Professor Jill Weiss, Chair, Examining Committee Bandaru Ramarao, Department Chair S. Scott Shannon, Dean, The Graduate School Gary M. Scott, Director, Division of Engineering © 2019 Copyright M. J. Ovadias All rights reserved Acknowledgements First and foremost I must thank my advisor, Dr. Biljana Bujanović, as without her this research would not have come to fruition as her continuous guidance, persistence, and leadership has helped me grow as a researcher, student, and overall person. It is safe to say that I will miss you and our conversations on everything from lignocellulosic biomass to our cultures and those we have experienced to sports (as long as they involve Serbian athletes/teams). To Dr. Chang Geun Yoo – thank you as well for your guidance in this research and in general as your input has played an intricate role, as well as the tremendous amount of work you have put into growing our department. I would also like to thank Dr. Art Stipanovic for help with thermal analysis as well as the subtle sense of humor that is always appreciated. I would like acknowledge the other members of my committee (Dr. Jill Weiss – committee chair and Dr. Gyu Leem – examiner) and all other ESF/SU faculty and staff that I have had the pleasure of interacting with for not only their help with my work throughout this degree but also the seemingly infinite lessons learned. However, a particular thanks is needed for Debbie Dewitt and Lynn Mickinkle who have always been able to help me put things in perspective. I will always appreciate our conversations from over the years. As for my lab mates (Aditi Nagardeolekar, Autumn Elniski, and Prajakta Dongre), thank you for all of your direction and involvement in my research. I also appreciate the efforts of undergraduate researchers (Tristen Santiago, Bryan Gamble, Talon Mahay, and Nick Panico) that have assisted with my experiments. A special thanks to Yunxuan Wang and Dwyer Stuart for not only our friendship but your support as well, both have been invaluable to me. I would also like to recognize all my friends (the Seans, Weston, Cierra, the Colins, Zak, Ben, Chris and all the others from grade school, Walters, ESF, and all stops in between), as I have learned something from all of you and have always cherished our time spent together. Lastly I’d like to thank my family. My parents, for shaping me into the person I am today and their endless support, without which I would be nothing. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude. My girlfriend, Marisa, for sticking with me on this journey and being patient. I can’t wait to see what adventures we will stumble upon together. To my brothers, Mike and Luke, thanks for always staying true to yourselves and being a couple of the best friends I could ask for. Thank you to Nonni, Grampy, Uncle Dave and Aunt Deena for showing me the definition and value of hard work and passion while instilling them into who I am and pushing me to achieve what I am truly capable of. To the rest of my family (Aunt Meryl and Parmy, Uncle Ralph, Duke, Jimmy, Mike, Mark, and all the other Aunts, cousins, and Uncles that would make this list go onto the next page) thank you for doubling down on all the contributions already mentioned above, in addition to filling in any holes there could potentially be. I love you all and appreciate everything you have done for me. All of you make me feel truly blessed for who I am lucky enough to have around me, thank you. This work was funded by the USDA-McIntire-Stennis “Thermoplastic Blends on Biorefinery Lignin” Project. iii Table of Contents List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................. viii List of Appendices ........................................................................................................................................ x Abbreviation Index ...................................................................................................................................... xi Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................xiii Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Objectives .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Recalcitrance and an Overview of LCB Pretreatments ................................................................................ 5 Lignin Valorization: Thermoplastics .......................................................................................................... 14 Experimental .............................................................................................................................................. 28 Materials ................................................................................................................................................. 28 Chemical modification (Acylation) of Lignin .............................................................................................. 29 Acetylation (C2 chain addition) of Lignin ........................................................................................... 29 Acylation of Lignin with Lauroyl Chloride (C12 chain addition) ......................................................... 30 Lignin Purification Processes .................................................................................................................... 31 Alkali Purification of Lignin ................................................................................................................ 31 Hexane Extraction of WFAE ............................................................................................................... 32 Lignin Characterization ............................................................................................................................ 32 Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) of Lignins ............................................................. 32 iv Hydroxyl Group Content of Lignins - 31P NMR Analysis .................................................................... 33 Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) of Lignins ........................................................................... 34 Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) of Lignins ................................................................................... 35 Molecular Weight Distribution of Lignins – Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) ......................... 35 Antioxidant Activity (AOA) of Lignins ................................................................................................ 36 UV Absorbance of Lignins .................................................................................................................. 37 Theoretical Calculation of Lignin’s Hansen Solubility Parameters ................................................... 37 Polymer Blend Production ........................................................................................................................ 38 Solvent Casting of Lignin-PLA Blends ................................................................................................. 38 Melt Extrusion of Lignin-PLA Blends .................................................................................................. 39 Characterization of Lignin-PLA Thermoplastic Blends ............................................................................... 40 Light Microscopy – Image Analysis of Lignin-PLA Blends.................................................................. 40 Mechanical Properties of Lignin-PLA Blends – Elongation Tensile Testing ...................................... 40 Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) of Lignin-PLA Blends ......................................................... 41 Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) of Lignin-PLA Blends ................................................................. 42 UV Absorbance of Lignin-PLA Blends ................................................................................................