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Lignin Molar Mass Estimation by Dispersion Analysis
Tor I Simonsen1, Demi T Djajadi1, Andrea Ponzecchi1
1Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, 1958, Denmark.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|January 22, 2025
Summary
Taylor Dispersion Analysis (TDA) shows promise for determining lignin size, offering rapid measurements without stationary phase interactions. This method, specifically flow-induced dispersion analysis (FIDA), provides results comparable to other techniques for lignin characterization.
Area of Science:
- Biomass Valorization
- Polymer Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Lignin's complex structure hinders accurate molar mass determination, crucial for its industrial applications.
- Existing methods like SEC and DOSY NMR have limitations in speed or complexity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Taylor Dispersion Analysis (TDA) for measuring lignin size.
- To compare TDA-based methods with Size-Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) and Diffusion-Ordered Spectroscopy (DOSY) NMR.
Main Methods:
- Utilized flow-induced dispersion analysis (FIDA), a TDA-based technique with dual Gaussian fitting.
- Applied molar mass calibration for comparative analysis.
- Analyzed solvent-fractionated soda grass lignin samples.
Main Results:
- FIDA successfully determined average hydrodynamic radii of multiple lignin species.
- FIDA results showed consistency with DOSY NMR.
- Comparisons between FIDA and SEC revealed similar relative differences in lignin fractions.
Conclusions:
- FIDA is a viable method for lignin size estimation, offering rapid analysis and avoiding stationary phase interactions.
- Lignin fluorescence variability currently limits FIDA's accuracy.
- Further improvements are needed to overcome limitations and advance FIDA for lignin characterization.
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