Synthesization and Characterization of Lignin-graft-Poly (Lauryl Methacrylate) via ARGET ATRP

Lignin as an abundant biological macromolecule isolated from the plant cell wall, and it cannot be efficiently utilized until suitable modifications to its structures were made. Therefore, we proposed a strategy to prepare an all biomass-based Lignin-graft-poly(Lauryl methacrylate, LMA) by grafting LMA monomers on the organosolv lignin through ARGET ATRP. The results of FT-IR and ¹H NMR analysis demonstrated that PLMA molecular chains were successfully grafted on the lignin. Lignin improved copolymer's thermal stability and had a negligible effect on crystallization of PLMA molecular chains, according to our findings in the test of TGA and DSC. The rheological properties of the copolymer were found depending on the length of molecular chains of copolymer and lignin inside it. Both height and phase images of AFM suggest that lignin constituted a nanoscale aciculas and embedded in the microscale spheral dot composed by grafted PLMA molecular chains. Furthermore, the integrated consideration of results of all characterizations suggests a relative independent micro-component, which was composed by central lignin and peripheral PLMA, aggregates with each other to build the OL-g-PLMA copolymers. It hopes that the copolymer will be used as an additive for improving mechanical performance and UV blocking of other biopolymers.