Functionalized Organosolv Lignins Suitable for Modifications of Hard Surfaces

Two different organosolv lignins (OSLs), that is, wheat straw and corn stover OSLs, were chemically and enzymatically functionalized. Functional groups were attached via the formation of stable ether bonds exploiting the reactivity of free phenolic OH groups along the lignin backbone. The functional groups introduced a range from compact charged and chargeable building blocks for the generation of surface-active lignins to oligomeric and polymeric species used in lignin block-copolymer productions. Combination of selected functions led to novel charged or chargeable polymeric lignin-based materials. Products could be realized with different degrees of technical loadings in terms of introduced functional groups.