Durable Biopolymer Films From Lignin-Carbohydrate Complex Derived From a Pulp Mill Side Stream

Valorization of side streams offers novel types raw materials to complement or replace synthetic and food-based alternatives in science, increasing profitability decreasing the environmental impacts biorefineries. Lignocellulose biomass contains lignin carbohydrates that are covalently linked into lignin-carbohydrate complexes (LCCs). In fractionation processes, these conventionally considered as waste, which hinders process, they may solubilize aqueous effluents. This study presents how LCCs, derived from pulp mill effluent, can be turned valuable biopolymers for industrial polymer film applications. Free-standing composite films containing hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) LCCs with varying molar mass, charge density lignin/hemicellulose ratio were prepared effect LCC amount on mechanical properties oxygen permeability. Increasing content increased yield point Young’s modulus films. Breaking strain measurements revealed a non-linear correlation concentration samples higher than hemicellulose content. The addition enhanced barrier HEC significantly even at high relative humidity. present research demonstrates currently underutilized fraction biorefinery stream has potential valorized biopolymer applications, example paper board packaging.