Triantafyllidis Research Group
14/03/2023
Check out our new paper on lignin-based epoxy composites!
Our recent work related to the isolation of Sub-micro sized (570 nm) Organosolv Lignin and its utilization in epoxy composites as a sustainable additive and curing agent, was just published in ChemSusChem!
The paper is entitled “Sub-micro Organosolv lignin as bio-based epoxy polymer component: A sustainable curing agent and additive”.
Authors: Christina Pappa, Stylianos Torofias, Konstantinos Triantafyllidis.
You can check it out here http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202300076.
Abstract:
Sub-micro organosolv lignin (OBs) isolated from beechwood biomass, comprising of sub-micro sized particles (570 nm), with low molecular weight (Mw) and dispersity (Ð), and relatively high total phenolic -OH content, was successfully utilized for the production of bio-based epoxy polymer composites. OBs lignin was incorporated in the glassy epoxy system based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and aliphatic polyoxypropylene α,ω-diamine (Jeffamine D-230), being utilized both as curing agent replacing partially D-230 as well as an additive, substituting part of both petroleum derived components. Up to 12 wt.% replacement of D-230 by OBs lignin was achieved, while a total of ~17 wt.% of OBs effectively replaced the conventional epoxy polymer. The incorporation of OBs lignin in the polymeric matrix was achieved without the use of any solvent or previous functionalization. Enhanced properties were obtained, with substantial increase of tensile strength, strain, and stiffness, Tg, antioxidant activity and resistance to solvents.