Zhang Jiawei, Zhang Kaili, Tian Chen, Zhang Gaoyue, Jiang Xiao, Wang Kui, Sun Kang, Jiang Jianchun
Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China; Key Lab of Biomass Energy and Material, Jiangsu Province, Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Institute of Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Nanjing 210042, China.
Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
Int J Biol Macromol. 2025 Jun;311(Pt 1):143888. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.143888. Epub 2025 May 1.
Kraft lignin (KL), a major by-product of the pulp and paper industry, has garnered significant research attention due to its abundant availability and distinctive chemical structure, making it a promising candidate for applications such as biofuels, carbon materials, and polymer composites. Despite these advantages, its utilization in fine chemical industries, including nanomaterials, is constrained by its inherent dark color and broad molecular weight distribution. Addressing these limitations has become a central focus in ongoing research efforts aimed at enhancing the functionality and commercial viability of KL. In this study, we fractionated KL from a paper-making enterprise using pH fractionation, and obtained four kinds of lignin with different molecular weights. Following that, lignin microspheres (LMPs) were formed by self-assembly from four sizes of KL. Analyzing the KL and LMP properties, the low molecular weight lignin, such as KL-2, exhibited good antioxidant properties (84.27 %, 5 mg/mL), high brightness (ISO% = 7.6), high L value (L = 86.2) and low polydispersity index (PDI = 1.19). The LMP showed a narrow size distribution (1.0-1.4 μm). When the LMP content is 5 %, the 5 % LMP/PVA film maintains high transparency and exhibits excellent UV protection, achieving a UV shielding rate of up to 94.6 %. Therefore, this study offered an effective way for the comprehensive utilization of pulping waste KL.
硫酸盐木质素（KL）是制浆造纸工业的主要副产品，因其丰富的可得性和独特的化学结构而受到了大量的研究关注，使其成为生物燃料、碳材料和聚合物复合材料等应用的有前途的候选材料。尽管有这些优点，但其在包括纳米材料在内的精细化工行业中的应用受到其固有的深色和宽分子量分布的限制。解决这些限制已成为当前旨在提高KL功能性和商业可行性的研究工作的核心重点。在本研究中，我们采用pH分级法从一家造纸企业中分离出KL，并获得了四种不同分子量的木质素。随后，由四种尺寸的KL通过自组装形成木质素微球（LMPs）。通过分析KL和LMP的性质，低分子量木质素，如KL-2，表现出良好的抗氧化性能（84.27%，5mg/mL）、高亮度（ISO% = 7.6）、高L值（L = 86.2）和低多分散指数（PDI = 1.19）。LMP显示出窄的尺寸分布（1.0 - 1.4μm）。当LMP含量为5%时，5% LMP/PVA薄膜保持高透明度并表现出优异的紫外线防护性能，紫外线屏蔽率高达94.6%。因此，本研究为制浆废料KL的综合利用提供了一种有效方法。
