Advancing Molecular Weight Determination of Lignin by Multi-Angle Light Scattering
Due to the complexity and recalcitrance of lignin, its chemical characterization is a key factor preventing the valorization of this abundant material. Multi-angle light scattering (MALS) is becoming a sought-after technique for absolute molecular weight (MW) determination of polymers and proteins....
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/16/4/477 |
| _version_ | 1797297171462094848 |
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| author | Mason L. Clobes Evguenii I. Kozliak Alena Kubátová |
| author_facet | Mason L. Clobes Evguenii I. Kozliak Alena Kubátová |
| author_sort | Mason L. Clobes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Due to the complexity and recalcitrance of lignin, its chemical characterization is a key factor preventing the valorization of this abundant material. Multi-angle light scattering (MALS) is becoming a sought-after technique for absolute molecular weight (MW) determination of polymers and proteins. Lignin is a suitable candidate for MW determination via MALS, yet further investigation is required to confirm its absolute MW values and molecular size. Studies aiming to break down lignin into a variety of renewable products will benefit greatly from a simple and reliable determination method like MALS. Recent pioneering studies, discussed in this review, addressed several key challenges in lignin’s MW characterization. Nevertheless, some lignin-specific issues still need to be considered for in-depth characterization. This study explores how MALS instrumentation manages the complexities of determining lignin’s MW, e.g., with simultaneous fractionation and fluorescence interference mitigation. Additionally, we rationalize the importance of a more detailed light scattering analysis for lignin characterization, including aspects like the second virial coefficient and radius of gyration. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:17:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ecc36999e5e24ed8928e6fa02dba56ae |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:17:28Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-ecc36999e5e24ed8928e6fa02dba56ae2024-02-23T15:32:12ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602024-02-0116447710.3390/polym16040477Advancing Molecular Weight Determination of Lignin by Multi-Angle Light ScatteringMason L. Clobes0Evguenii I. Kozliak1Alena Kubátová2Department of Chemistry, University of North Dakota, 151 Cornell St., Stop 9024, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USADepartment of Chemistry, University of North Dakota, 151 Cornell St., Stop 9024, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USADepartment of Chemistry, University of North Dakota, 151 Cornell St., Stop 9024, Grand Forks, ND 58202, USADue to the complexity and recalcitrance of lignin, its chemical characterization is a key factor preventing the valorization of this abundant material. Multi-angle light scattering (MALS) is becoming a sought-after technique for absolute molecular weight (MW) determination of polymers and proteins. Lignin is a suitable candidate for MW determination via MALS, yet further investigation is required to confirm its absolute MW values and molecular size. Studies aiming to break down lignin into a variety of renewable products will benefit greatly from a simple and reliable determination method like MALS. Recent pioneering studies, discussed in this review, addressed several key challenges in lignin’s MW characterization. Nevertheless, some lignin-specific issues still need to be considered for in-depth characterization. This study explores how MALS instrumentation manages the complexities of determining lignin’s MW, e.g., with simultaneous fractionation and fluorescence interference mitigation. Additionally, we rationalize the importance of a more detailed light scattering analysis for lignin characterization, including aspects like the second virial coefficient and radius of gyration.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/16/4/477multi-angle light scatteringtechnical ligninradius of gyrationsecond virial coefficientdifferential refractive index incrementRayleigh–Gans approximation |
| spellingShingle | Mason L. Clobes Evguenii I. Kozliak Alena Kubátová Advancing Molecular Weight Determination of Lignin by Multi-Angle Light Scattering Polymers multi-angle light scattering technical lignin radius of gyration second virial coefficient differential refractive index increment Rayleigh–Gans approximation |
| title | Advancing Molecular Weight Determination of Lignin by Multi-Angle Light Scattering |
| title_full | Advancing Molecular Weight Determination of Lignin by Multi-Angle Light Scattering |
| title_fullStr | Advancing Molecular Weight Determination of Lignin by Multi-Angle Light Scattering |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advancing Molecular Weight Determination of Lignin by Multi-Angle Light Scattering |
| title_short | Advancing Molecular Weight Determination of Lignin by Multi-Angle Light Scattering |
| title_sort | advancing molecular weight determination of lignin by multi angle light scattering |
| topic | multi-angle light scattering technical lignin radius of gyration second virial coefficient differential refractive index increment Rayleigh–Gans approximation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/16/4/477 |
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