Lignin-based polymeric surfactants for emulsion polymerization. (10th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmidt, Bernhard V.K.J.; Molinari, Valerio; Esposito, Davide; Tauer, Klaus; Antonietti, Markus
• Is Part Of: Polymer. Volume 112(2017)
• Page Start: 418
• Page End: 426
• Publication Date: 2017-03-10
• Subjects: Emulsion polymerization -- Lignin -- Polymeric surfactant -- Poly(ethylene oxide); Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2017.02.036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3861

Abstract

Abstract: A non-ionic surfactant system is synthesized by standard grafting of poly(ethylene oxide) from renewable lignin fragments and used for the emulsion polymerization of styrene. The lignin precursors are formed by hydrogenolysis and utilized as initiator for the oxyanionic polymerization of ethylene oxide leading to amphiphilic polymers, very similar to standard nonionic surfactant synthesis. Subsequently, the formed amphiphilic polymers are employed as stabilizers in the heterophase polymerization of styrene with various initiators. Poly (styrene) latexes with solids contents of up to 21% depending on stabilizer concentration have been obtained. Stabilizer efficiencies and performances were nicely comparable with those of nonylphenol-based, non-ionic industrial performance surfactants. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Renewable Lignin precursors are utilized as initiators for oxanionic polymerization of ethylene oxide. The formed amphiphilic Lignin-PEO adducts are utilized as surfactants in the emulsion polymerization of styrene. Latexes with weight contents up to 20% are obtained. Performances are comparable to nonylphenol-based, non-ionic industrial performance surfactants. Low surfactant concentration leads to the formation of millimeter sized anisotropic coagulum particles.