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Lignin Phenol Formaldehyde Resins Synthesised Using South African Spent Pulping Liquor

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Abstract

Purpose

The current study investigated to which extent phenol could be replaced by lignins to produce lignin phenol formaldehyde (LPF) resins, utilising soda lignin and sodium lignosulphonate as by-products from the South African pulping industry.

Method

The lignins were characterised and soda lignin indicated the highest reactivity. It was therefore utilised to produce LPF resins at 60%, 80%, and 100% phenol substitution, using central composite designs to maximise the adhesive strength. A one-pot method allowing direct transition from phenolation to resin synthesis was used for the first time with a pulping lignin at 60% and 80% substitution.

Results

Plywood made with LPF60, LPF80, and LPF100 resins attained their highest shear strengths of 0.786, 1.09, and 0.987 MPa, respectively, which adhered to the GB/T 14,732–2013 standard (≥ 0.7 MPa). A substitution level of 68% produced the highest shear strength of 1.11 MPa. High-density particleboard made with this LPF68 resin gave a MOR and MOE of 40 and 3209 MPa, respectively, adhering to the ANSI A208.1 requirements. Thickness swelling and water absorption was 13.5% and 37.2%, respectively.

Conclusion

The soda-lignin isolated by precipitation from sugarcane bagasse pulping liquor is the first industrial lignin shown to produce LPF100 resins adhering to standard requirements, without modification or additives.

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Data Availability

The resulting data from the study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) in conjunction with Sappi Southern Africa Ltd for the scholarship received by the first author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Process Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa

    Chelaine Maree & Johann F. Görgens

  2. Department of Forest and Wood Science, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Stellenbosch, 7602, South Africa

    Luvuyo Tyhoda

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  1. Chelaine Maree
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Correspondence to Luvuyo Tyhoda.

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Maree, C., Görgens, J.F. & Tyhoda, L. Lignin Phenol Formaldehyde Resins Synthesised Using South African Spent Pulping Liquor. Waste Biomass Valor 13, 3489–3507 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-022-01756-3

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