Multiphase Materials With Lignin. VI. Effect of Cellulose Derivative Structure on Blend Morphology with Lignin

Authors

  • Timothy G. Rials
  • Wolfgang G. Glasser

Keywords:

Polymer blends, lignin, cellulose derivatives, phase behavior, glass transition temperature

Abstract

Polymeric blends of lignin with ethyl cellulose (EC) and cellulose acetate/butyrate (CAB) were prepared by solution casting from dioxane. Fracture surface analysis by scanning electron microscopy revealed phase separation when the lignin content exceeded 10% for blends with EC and 5% in the CAB system. While this phase behavior is as predicted for the EC blends, a greater level of compatibility had been expected for the CAB blend system. Results from both differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) suggest that the observed phase separation may be a consequence of supermolecular structure development rather than immiscibility. In the case of the EC/lignin blends, the observed Tg of lignin was 25 C and 35 C higher than that of the pure component for the 40 and 50 wt.% blend, respectively; and CAB/lignin blends produced conflicting results by DSC and DMTA. Where DSC revealed single Tg's for all blends with up to approximately 20% lignin, and dual transitions for all other compositions, DMTA data reflected single relaxations with variable Tg's throughout. This discrepancy is tentatively explained through the formation of liquid crystal mesophases in the cellulose derivative/lignin blends during solvent evaporation.

References

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Published

2007-06-22

Issue

Number 1 / January 1989

Section

Research Contributions

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