A Renewable Lignin–Lactide Copolymer and Application in Biobased Composites

The need for renewable alternatives to traditional petroleum-derived plastics has driven recent interest in biobased composite materials that are sourced from carbon-neutral feedstocks. Lignin, an abundant plant-derived feedstock, has been a candidate for renewable materials; however, it is often difficult to blend with other biopolymers. In order to improve the miscibility of lignin with other bioplastics, we developed a catalytic and solvent free method for synthesis of a lignin–PLA copolymer. Graft polymerization of lactide onto lignin catalyzed by triazabicyclodecene (TBD) resulted in a lignin-g-poly(lactic acid) copolymer; chain length of the PLA is controlled by varying of the lignin/lactide ratio and preacetylation treatment. End-group analysis reveals high grafting efficiency and preferential grafting on lignin aliphatic hydroxyls over phenolic hydroxyls. The lignin-g-PLA copolymers display a glass transition temperature range from 45 to 85 °C and multiphase melting behavior. The lignin-g-PLA copolymers are used as dispersion modifiers in PLA-based materials to enhance UV absorption and reduce brittleness without a sacrifice in the modulus of elasticity.