High-performance lignopolymer surfactants

Recipient Organization
SALIX LIGNOPOLYMERS, LLC
6743 WILKINS AVE
PITTSBURGH,PA 15217

Performing Department
(N/A)

Non Technical Summary
Salix Lignopolymers is commercializing a formulation of polymer-grafted kraft lignin that utilizes controlled polymerization chemistry to produce a hybrid nanoparticle having a lignin core and a polymer corona. When grafted with water-soluble polymers, experiments in surfactant applications have shown materials made of 60% lignin are highly surface active. In contrast, traditional polymer grafting chemistries with lignin result in crosslinked aggregates that have modest surfactant effects. The goals of this research are (1) to identify industrial-scale sources of lignin that are suitable for use in this technology and (2) to optimize the grafting chemistry to allow for robust preparation of the nanoparticle architecture. Formulations will be tested in two areas, emulsifiers and dispersants, which will be optimized to maximize both surfactant properties and the fraction of lignin used. Emulsifiers are used to compatibilize liquids in a broad range of applications. Dispersants are used to stabilize particle suspensions, and the lead application in this area will be in plasticizing hydraulic cement. Pilot-scale production will be performed to validate manufacturing processes.

Animal Health Component

40%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

20%

Applied

40%

Developmental

40%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
123	0660	2020	50%
123	0650	2000	50%

Knowledge Area
123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
0660 - Paper and pulp derived products; 0650 - Wood and wood products;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering; 2000 - Chemistry;

Keywords

Goals / Objectives
Improve methods for preparation of polymer-grafted ligninPerform pilot-scale production of polymer-grafted ligninCharacterize composition of polymer-grafted lignin productTest polymer-grafted lignin in surfactant applications

Project Methods
Standard methods of organic-chemical synthesis and characterizationStandard methods of polymer characterizationStandard methods of surfactant testing

Progress 06/15/15 to 08/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is the agrochemical industry. Changes/Problems:A no-cost extension was granted to allow completion of the project What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Pilot-scale production of PEGylated kraft lignin was accomplished Production of 5 kg of material was performed at InChem Manufacturing conditions were optimized PEGylated kraft lignin samples (100 g) shared with partners (Dow Chemical, DuPont, Winfield, Adama) for lab evaluation and field trials

Publications

Progress 06/15/15 to 06/14/16

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is USDA staff. The information in this report should be treated as confidential. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue pilot-scale manufacturing. Work with partners in testing these products. Elucidate commercialization strategy.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Salix Lignopolymers has made excellent progress in research and commercialization activities. A new chemistry for polymer functionalization of lignin has allowed the modification of lignosulfonates with inexpensive, water-soluble poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). PEGylated lignosulfonates (LSPEG) have been prepared and shown to be competitive with leading polycarboxylate ether (PCE) superplasticizers used to improve the workability of cement. A partnership is forming with Borregaard Lignotech, and they have tested 50 g of LSPEG in their labs in Norway and were impressed with the effects of LSPEG on cement workability. Borregaard recently provided 25 kg of one of their leading lignosulfonates for PEGylation at InChem Laboratories, where Salix is performing pilot-scale manufacturing. We are currently developing functionalizing the PEG to be used for these reactions and expect to ship the final LSPEG product to Borregaard by November for testing in their large-scale concrete labs. Borregaard is the leading producer of lignosulfonates and is constantly innovating. A partnership with them could produce superplasticizers with price and performance that rivals that of fully synthetic polycarboxylate ethers, currently the leading superplasticizer with over 70% of the market. The PEGylation chemistry has also been used to modify kraft lignin, and while this lignopolymer formulation (KLPEG) is not as effective in plasticizing cement paste (presumably due to having carboxylate instead of sulfonate groups), preliminary tests have shown that it could be a highly effective surfactant for the delivery of agrochemicals (pesticides, herbicides, etc.). A broad range of surfactants are used as formulation agents and adjuvants in agriculture, but their persistence, environmental impacts, and effects on pollinators makes degradable options based on polymer-grafted lignin very appealing. We are sending 300 g to Solvay for testing in this application and working on expanding our own research in this new application. We are also directly approaching agrochemical manufacturers to start getting more application-specific information.

Publications

Progress 06/15/15 to 12/14/15

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is USDA staff. The information in this report should be treated as confidential. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue pilot-scale manufacturing. Work with partners in testing these products. Elucidate commercialization strategy.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Salix Lignopolymers has made excellent progress in research and commercialization activities. A new chemistry for polymer functionalization of lignin has allowed the modification of lignosulfonates with inexpensive, water-soluble poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). PEGylated lignosulfonates (LSPEG) have been prepared and shown to be competitive with leading polycarboxylate ether (PCE) superplasticizers used to improve the workability of cement. A partnership is forming with Borregaard Lignotech, and they have tested 50 g of LSPEG in their labs in Norway and were impressed with the effects of LSPEG on cement workability. Borregaard recently provided 25 kg of one of their leading lignosulfonates for PEGylation at InChem Laboratories, where Salix is performing pilot-scale manufacturing. We are currently developing functionalizing the PEG to be used for these reactions and expect to ship the final LSPEG product to Borregaard by November for testing in their large-scale concrete labs. Borregaard is the leading producer of lignosulfonates and is constantly innovating. A partnership with them could produce superplasticizers with price and performance that rivals that of fully synthetic polycarboxylate ethers, currently the leading superplasticizer with over 70% of the market. The PEGylation chemistry has also been used to modify kraft lignin, and while this lignopolymer formulation (KLPEG) is not as effective in plasticizing cement paste (presumably due to having carboxylate instead of sulfonate groups), preliminary tests have shown that it could be a highly effective surfactant for the delivery of agrochemicals (pesticides, herbicides, etc.). A broad range of surfactants are used as formulation agents and adjuvants in agriculture, but their persistence, environmental impacts, and effects on pollinators makes degradable options based on polymer-grafted lignin very appealing. We are sending 300 g to Solvay for testing in this application and working on expanding our own research in this new application. We are also directly approaching agrochemical manufacturers to start getting more application-specific information.

Publications