CHARACTERIZATION AND COMPARISON BY UV SPECTROSCOPY OF PRECIPITATED LIGNINS AND COMMERCIAL LIGNOSULFONATES

Five precipitated lignins and nine commercial lignosulfonates were investigated in this study. Lignins were characterized by elemental analysis and as to ash content. To determine the amount of free phenolic groups in isolated precipitated and commercial lignosulfonates, ionization difference UV spectroscopy was used. The objective of this study was to examine the UV-Vis characteristics of precipitated and commercial lignin preparations in an effort to evidence their similarities and dissimilarities. Based on the experimental measurements, significant differences between the described lignins and lignosulfonates were identified. It was found that kraft lignin had a higher content of total amount of phenolic hydroxyl groups than lignin with straw (hemp and flax), isolated for modified alkaline anthraquinone cooking with different acids and commercial lignosulfonates. Moreover, it was confirmed that the content of non-conjugated and conjugated phenolic hydroxyl groups, as well as their total amount in the preparations depended on the method, raw material, and experimental conditions used in material processing.