DERIVATIVES OF NATIVE LIGNIN, LIGNIN-WAX COMPOSITIONS, THEIR PREPARATION AND USES THEREOF
A wax composition comprising a lignin derivative wherein the derivative has a total hydroxyl content of from about 0.1 mmol/g to about 7 mmol/g.
1 . A derivative of native lignin wherein said lignin derivative has a total hydroxyl content of from about 0.1 mmol/g to about 7 mmol/g.
2 . A lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the derivative has a total hydroxyl content of from about 3.5 mmol/g to about 6.8 mmol/g.
3 . A lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the derivative has a total hydroxyl content of from about 4.5 mmol/g to about 6.5 mmol/g
4 . A lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the derivative comprises alkoxy groups.
5 . A lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the biomass from which the lignin is derived comprises hardwood biomass.
6 . A lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the biomass from which the lignin is derived comprises softwood biomass.
7 . A lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the biomass from which the lignin is derived comprises annual fibre biomass.
8 . A lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the biomass from which the lignin is derived comprises Populus spp, Eucalyptus spp., Acacia spp., or combinations/hybrids thereof.
9 . A lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the biomass from which the lignin is derived comprises pine; spruce; or combinations/hybrids thereof
10 . A lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the biomass from which the lignin is derived comprises wheat straw, bagasse, corn cobs, or combinations/hybrids thereof.
11 . A wax composition comprising a lignin derivative according to claim 1 .
12 . A composition according to claim 11 wherein the composition is an emulsion.
13 . A composition according to claim 11 comprising, on the basis of the solid content, from about 1% to about 50%, by weight, of lignin derivative.
14 . A slack wax composition comprising a lignin derivative according to claim 1 .
15 . A method for preparing a lignin-modified wax emulsion, the method comprising:
a. preparing an aqueous solution comprising one of a surface tension reducing agent and an interfacial tension reducing agent;
b. commingling with the aqueous solution a selected amount of a base;
c. commingling with the aqueous solution containing therein said base, a selected amount of a lignin derivative according to claim 1 ;
d. separating the aqueous solution into a filtrate and a retentate wherein the mixture of lignin derivatives is commingled with said filtrate; and
e. commingling a selected volume of the filtrate with a selected volume of a wax emulsion.
16 . A method according to claim 15 , where the one of a surface tension reducing agent and an interfacial tension reducing agent is selected from a group consisting of lignosulphonates, isogenic lignin derivatives, ionogenic detergents exemplified by sodium dodecyl sulfate and the like, and combinations thereof.
17 . A lignin-modified wax emulsion produced according to the method of claim 15
18 . A wax emulsion comprising water, an emulsified wax, one of a surface tension reducing agent and an interfacial tension reducing agent, a base, and a lignin derivative according to claim 1 .
19 . A composite wood product comprising a lignin-modified wax composition according to claim 11 .
20 . A method of producing a composite wood product, said method comprising:
a. Obtaining a cellulosic fibre material;
b. Obtaining an adhesive suitable for adhering the fibres of said material;
c. Mixing said cellulosic material with said adhesive, forming the mixture into a suitable shape and curing; and
d. Applying a wax composition according to claim 11 to the cured article.