Enhancing Mechanical Performance of High-Lignin-Filled Polypropylene via Reactive Extrusion
Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most extensively used commodity plastics. In terms of eco-friendliness, it is worth considering preparing high-lignin-filled PP. This study explores the incorporation of high lignin content, derived from acetic acid lignin (AAL) and Kraft lignin (KL), into PP through...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/16/4/520 |
| _version_ | 1797297161623306240 |
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| author | Ruichen Wang Xiangyu You Shijie Qi Ruiyun Tian Huijie Zhang |
| author_facet | Ruichen Wang Xiangyu You Shijie Qi Ruiyun Tian Huijie Zhang |
| author_sort | Ruichen Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most extensively used commodity plastics. In terms of eco-friendliness, it is worth considering preparing high-lignin-filled PP. This study explores the incorporation of high lignin content, derived from acetic acid lignin (AAL) and Kraft lignin (KL), into PP through twin-screw extrusion and injection molding. The challenge lies in maintaining mechanical performance. A compatibilizer—specifically, maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP)—is employed to enhance lignin–PP compatibility by chemically bonding with lignin and physically associating with the PP phase. Results indicate that KL maintains better dispersity than AAL. Compatibilizers with a high maleic anhydride (MA) level (≥0.8 wt.%) and moderate melt flow index (MFI) in the range of 60–100 g 10 min⁻¹ prove favorable in constructing a reinforced PP/KL network. Optimizing with 40 wt.% lignin content and 10 parts per hundred (pph) of compatibilizer yields blends with mechanical performance comparable to neat PP, exhibiting a notable increase in modulus and heat deflection temperature (HDT). Furthermore, utilizing PP/lignin blends can lead to a 20% reduction in expenses and approximately 40% reduction in PP-induced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This approach not only reduces PP costs but also adds value to lignin utilization in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:16:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c71033f885c94c5ba15b133dd45efd3a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:16:18Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-c71033f885c94c5ba15b133dd45efd3a2024-02-23T15:32:20ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602024-02-0116452010.3390/polym16040520Enhancing Mechanical Performance of High-Lignin-Filled Polypropylene via Reactive ExtrusionRuichen Wang0Xiangyu You1Shijie Qi2Ruiyun Tian3Huijie Zhang4College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, ChinaCollege of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, ChinaCollege of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, ChinaCollege of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, ChinaCollege of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, ChinaPolypropylene (PP) is one of the most extensively used commodity plastics. In terms of eco-friendliness, it is worth considering preparing high-lignin-filled PP. This study explores the incorporation of high lignin content, derived from acetic acid lignin (AAL) and Kraft lignin (KL), into PP through twin-screw extrusion and injection molding. The challenge lies in maintaining mechanical performance. A compatibilizer—specifically, maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP)—is employed to enhance lignin–PP compatibility by chemically bonding with lignin and physically associating with the PP phase. Results indicate that KL maintains better dispersity than AAL. Compatibilizers with a high maleic anhydride (MA) level (≥0.8 wt.%) and moderate melt flow index (MFI) in the range of 60–100 g 10 min⁻¹ prove favorable in constructing a reinforced PP/KL network. Optimizing with 40 wt.% lignin content and 10 parts per hundred (pph) of compatibilizer yields blends with mechanical performance comparable to neat PP, exhibiting a notable increase in modulus and heat deflection temperature (HDT). Furthermore, utilizing PP/lignin blends can lead to a 20% reduction in expenses and approximately 40% reduction in PP-induced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This approach not only reduces PP costs but also adds value to lignin utilization in a sustainable and cost-effective manner.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/16/4/520ligninpolypropylenemechanical performancecompatibilityhigh lignin content |
| spellingShingle | Ruichen Wang Xiangyu You Shijie Qi Ruiyun Tian Huijie Zhang Enhancing Mechanical Performance of High-Lignin-Filled Polypropylene via Reactive Extrusion Polymers lignin polypropylene mechanical performance compatibility high lignin content |
| title | Enhancing Mechanical Performance of High-Lignin-Filled Polypropylene via Reactive Extrusion |
| title_full | Enhancing Mechanical Performance of High-Lignin-Filled Polypropylene via Reactive Extrusion |
| title_fullStr | Enhancing Mechanical Performance of High-Lignin-Filled Polypropylene via Reactive Extrusion |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhancing Mechanical Performance of High-Lignin-Filled Polypropylene via Reactive Extrusion |
| title_short | Enhancing Mechanical Performance of High-Lignin-Filled Polypropylene via Reactive Extrusion |
| title_sort | enhancing mechanical performance of high lignin filled polypropylene via reactive extrusion |
| topic | lignin polypropylene mechanical performance compatibility high lignin content |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/16/4/520 |
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