Structure-Adsorption Behavior-Dispersion Property Relationship of Alkyl Chain Cross-Linked Lignosulfonate with Different Molecular Weights

Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by an Alkyl Chain-Bridged Lignin-Based Polymer without Additives and Organic Solvents

In this article, an alkyl chain-bridged lignin polymer was prepared from our previous study. Then, an ultrafiltration method was used to classify the polymer into three fractions with a narrow molecular weight distribution. These three fractions were used to prepare novel Pickering emulsions without additives and organic solvents. The results show that the Pickering emulsion with fraction-3 of the highest molecular weight shows the best result compared with the other two fractions, and the Pickering emulsion is formed of droplets. The influence of oil-water ratios and fraction-3 dosages on the Pickering emulsions was also investigated in our study. The results show that the diameter of the droplets increases with increasing oil proportion and decreases with increasing lignin-based polymer dose. UV spectroscopy shows that the prepared Pickering emulsions have strong absorption properties from 300 to 800 nm, which will be expected to be applied in cosmetics, especially in sunscreen creams. Finally, the Pickering emulsion was also used to deliver ibuprofen, and the results showed that the embedding rate was as high as 10%. It is suggested that the Pickering emulsion stabilized by lignin-based polymers can be used for drug delivery. This will provide a potential research idea for high-value applications of lignin.

Associative Behavior of Lignosulphonates in Moderately Concentrated Water, Water-Salt, and Water-Alcoholic Media

Industrial derivatives of lignin lignosulfonates are produced during sulfite delignification of wood. They are characterized by a wide molecular weight distribution, polyfunctionality, and lack of crystallinity. The presence of hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains in the lignosulfonate macromolecular system determines the amphiphilic and polyelectrolyte properties of this biopolymer. As a polyelectrolyte, lignosulfonates (LSs) show complex conformational and phase behavior, which can be controlled by a wide range of external factors (ionic strength, medium acidity, solvent polarity, etc.). Herein, we present the results of a study of the associative behavior of three lignosulfonate samples with different molecular weight distributions (Mw 9250-46 300) and structural and cationic (Na⁺, Ca²⁺) composition. The effects of the concentration of LS (0.2-200.0 g/dm³), temperature (293-353 K), ionic strength of the medium (KCl, 0.08-0.80 mol), and ethanol additives (0.6-73.0 vol %) on the bulk and surface properties of lignosulfonates have been revealed. It was assumed that the LS association in solutions is a consequence of the processes of counterionic condensation with the formation of ionic pairs and multiplets. The binding of counterions is facilitated by an increase in the ionic strength of the medium and ethyl alcohol additives.