Effect of enzymatic hydrolysis lignin on the mechanical strength and hydrophobic properties of molded fiber materials

Abstract

Abstract In this study, poplar chemi-mechanical pulp was used as a raw material to investigate the effect of enzymatic hydrolysis lignin (EHL) content on the tensile strength and hydrophobicity of molded fiber materials (MFMs). The tensile strength and hydrophobic properties of the fabricated MFMs with different EHL contents were evaluated, and changes in their microstructure, chemical structure, and thermal stability were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, respectively. Results show that under the experimental conditions used herein, the addition of EHL could increase the tensile strength and surface water contact angle of MFMs up to 20.3 MPa and 95.0°, respectively. The SEM observations indicate that the addition of EHL expanded the contact area between the EHL and fibers, thereby reducing the holes between fibers. The FTIR and TG analyses indicated that hot-pressing degraded EHL to form small molecular substances and improved the reaction with aldehydes produced via carbohydrate degradation, improving both the inter-fiber bonding strength and hydrophobicity of the MFM surface.