Preparation of a Low Reducing Effect Sulfonated Alkali Lignin and Application as Dye Dispersant

A novel grafting hydroxypropyl sulfonated and blocking condensed lignin (GSBAL) dye dispersant was prepared based on alkali lignin (AL) by sulfonation and etherification reactions. The significant increase in the sulfonic group content and the molecular weight endow GSBAL with excellent dispersity and stability at high temperatures. More importantly, the unfavorable property of the reducing effect of AL was largely reduced since over 80% of the phenolic hydroxyl groups were blocked. The functional azo groups in the dye could be mostly retained. The reducing rate of dye with GSBAL was decreased to 6.54% (25 °C), much lower than 18.62% for sulfomethylated alkali lignin (SAL) and 15.73% for sodium lignosulfonate (NaLS). The dispersity and exhaustion of the dye bath with GSBAL dispersant was significantly improved compared with that of a dye bath with SAL and NaLS.