Quantitative Analysis of Relationship between Hansen Solubility Parameters and Properties of Alkali Lignin/Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Blends

A review on the calculation and application of lignin Hansen solubility parameters

Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs) play a critical role in the majority of processes involving lignin depolymerization, separation, fractionation, and polymer blending, which are directly related to dissolution properties. However, the calculation of lignin HSPs is highly complicated due to the diversity of sources and the complexity of lignin structures. Despite their important role, lignin HSPs have been undervalued, attracting insufficient attention. This review summarizes the calculation methods for lignin HSPs and proposes a straightforward method based on lignin subunits. Furthermore, it highlights the crucial applications of lignin HSPs, such as identifying ideal solvents for lignin dissolution, selecting suitable solvents for lignin depolymerization and extraction, designing green solvents for lignin fractionation, and guiding the preparation of lignin-based composites. For instance, leveraging HSPs to design a series of solvents could potentially achieve sequential controllable lignin fractionation, addressing issues of low value-added applications of lignin resulting from poor homogeneity. Notably, HSPs serve as valuable tools for understanding the dissolution behavior of lignin. Consequently, we expect this review to be of great interest to researchers specializing in lignin and other macromolecules.

Recent advances in lignin-based 3D printing materials: A mini-review

With the growing global population and rapid economic development, the demand for energy and raw materials is increasing, and the supply of fossil resources as the main source of energy and raw materials has reached a critical juncture. However, our overexploitation and overconsumption of fossil resources have led to serious problems, including environmental pollution, climate change, and ecosystem destruction. In the face of these challenges, we must recognize the negative impacts of the shortage of fossil resources and actively seek sustainable alternative sources of energy and resources to protect our environment and sustainable development in the future. Three-dimensional (3D) printing, an additive manufacturing technology, has been used in many fields to manufacture complex and high-precision products. While traditional manufacturing processes typically produce large amounts of waste and emissions that are harmful to the environment, 3D printing is much more energy efficient compared to traditional manufacturing methods, which helps to lower energy costs and reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources. The development of low-carbon and environmentally friendly 3D printing materials can help to reduce carbon emissions and environmental pollution and realize the goal of sustainable development. Lignin, as the second largest renewable green biomass resource after cellulose, has great potential for manufacturing low-carbon and environmentally friendly 3D printing materials. This review presents some recent studies on the applications of lignin and its derivatives in photo-curing 3D printing, including the preparation and performance of lignin-based photosensitive prepolymers, lignin-based reactive diluents, lignin-based photo-initiators, and lignin-based additive. This review also provides recent studies on the preparation and performance of lignin-based thermoplastic polymer for Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing. Finally, the future challenges and industrialization prospects of lignin-based 3D printing materials are discussed.

An exploration into the use of Hansen solubility parameters for modelling reversed-phase chromatographic separations

The suitability of Hansen solubility parameters as descriptors for modelling analyte retention during reversed-phase chromatographic experiments was investigated. A novel theoretical model using Hansen solubility parameters as the basis for a complete mathematical derivation of the model was developed. The theoretical model also includes the cavitation volumes of the analytes, which were calculated using ab initio density functional theory methods. A set of three homologous phthalates was used for experimental data collection and subsequent model construction. The training error and the generalization error of the model were additionally evaluated using a range of chemically diverse analytes. Statistical evaluation of the results revealed that the model is suitable for analyte retention prediction but is limited to the analytes used in the model construction. Therefore, the resulting theoretical model cannot be easily generalized. A retention anomaly attributed to the column temperature and mobile phase composition was experimentally observed and mathematically investigated.

Interface Reinforcement of Pulp Fiber Based ABS Composite with Hydrogen Bonding Initiated Interlinked Structure via Alkaline Oxidation and tert-Butyl Grafting on Cellulose

Interface optimization in preparing natural fiber based biocomposite becomes a key factor that determines overall properties, especially mechanical performance. The solution for upgrading interfacial adhesion stemmed from polar fiber and nonpolar polymer remains unclear. Here, a kind of pulp fiber/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) composite with content ratio of 1:1 was fabricated by functionalizing the cellulose fiber to coordinate interaction between fiber and ABS. With addition of 5 wt % polyacrylamide (PAM) there existed an interlinked three-element structure in composite. Three types of treatment to cellulose fiber, including alkali immersion, pivaloyl chloride grafting for 10 h and 20 h were conducted. Pulp fiber that was treated with alkali for one hour, followed by pivaloyl chloride reaction for ten hours, proved to be effective for interfacial adhesion. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis reveals 21.9% of carbonyl and 12.1% of ester function in this fiber, which corresponds to oxidation and grafting. For its composite SEM picture displays that most of cellulose fiber are rooted in ABS and evident traces of tearing or fracture can be observed after tension test. DMA test indicates that this modified pulp fiber/ABS composite exhibits great compatibility, because of combined loss modulus peak ranging from 80 °C to 100 °C. Moreover, the well miscible composite has a tensile strength of 58.1 MPa and elastic modulus of 2515 MPa, increasing by nearly 50% and 60% from those of pure ABS, respectively.