Resin compositions comprising lignin derivatives
The present invention provides derivatives of native lignin having an ethoxy content of 0.45 mmol/g or greater. Surprisingly, it has been found that phenolic resins comprising derivatives of native lignin having ethoxy contents have acceptable performance characteristics such as bondstrength.
1. A lignin derivative extracted from a lignocellulosic biomass, wherein immediately following extraction the lignin derivative has an ethoxy content of from 0.5 mmol/g to 1.4 mmol/g, a polydispersity of from about 1.2 to about 4, and an aliphatic hydroxyl content of from about 0.2 mmol/g to about 6.5 mmol/g.
2. The lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the derivative has an ethoxy content of about 0.5 mmol/g to about 1.3 mmol/g.
3. The lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the derivative has an ethoxy content of about 0.6 mmol/g to about 1.3 mmol/g.
4. The lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the lignin is derived from hardwood biomass.
5. The lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the lignin is derived from softwood biomass.
6. The lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the lignin derivative is derived from annual fibre biomass.
7. The lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the biomass comprises Populus spp, Eucalyptus spp., Acacia spp., or combinations/hybrids thereof.
8. The lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the biomass comprises Populus tremuloides, Eucalyptus globulus, Acacia dealbata , or combinations/hybrids thereof.
9. The lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the biomass comprises pine; spruce; and combinations/hybrids thereof.
10. The lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the biomass comprises Pinus radiata, Pinus taeda , BC spruce, or combinations/hybrids thereof.
11. The lignin derivative according to claim 1 wherein the biomass comprises wheat straw, bagasse, corn cobs, or combinations/hybrids thereof.
12. A phenol composition comprising a lignin derivative and phenol, wherein the lignin derivative is extracted from a lignocellulosic biomass, wherein immediately following extraction the lignin derivative has an ethoxy content of from 0.45 mmol/g to 1.4 mmol/g, an aliphatic hydroxyl content of from about 0.2 mmol/g to about 6.5 mmol/g, and the weight ratio of lignin:phenol is from about 1:4 to about 4:1.
13. A phenol-formaldehyde resin composition comprising from about 0.5% to about 20%, by weight, of a lignin derivative extracted from a lignocellulosic biomass, wherein immediately following extraction the lignin derivative has an ethoxy content of from 0.45 mmol/g to 1.4 mmol/g, an aliphatic hydroxyl content of from about 0.2 mmol/g to about 6.5 mmol/g.
14. A method of producing a lignin derivative according to claim 1 , said method comprising:
a) pulping a fibrous biomass in a vessel with an organic solvent/water solvent solution to form a liquor, wherein:
i. the solution comprises about 30% or greater, by weight, of organic solvent; and
ii. the pH of the liquor is from about 1 to about 6;
b) heating the liquor to about 100° C. or greater;
c) maintaining the elevated temperature and pressure for 1 minute or longer;
d) separating the cellulosic pulps from the pulping liquor; and
e) recovering derivatives of native lignin.