title: Hydrogen bonding in lignin: a Fourier transform infrared model compound study.
abstract: Hydrogen bonding plays an important role in the thermal and mechanical properties of biopolymers. To investigate hydrogen bond formation in lignin, an abundant natural polymer found in plants, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of various lignin model compounds was performed. Four monomeric model compounds and one dimeric model compound were studied under various conditions. FTIR analysis revealed aliphatic hydroxyl groups form stronger hydrogen bonds than phenolic hydroxyl groups. Further, the dimeric biphenyl-type structure formed significantly stronger intermolecular hydrogen bonds as compared to the other monomeric model compounds. Results from the model compound studies were used to explain the observed complex hydrogen-bonding system present in both softwood and hardwood technical lignins. Together with chemical analysis, we discuss the difference in hydrogen bonding between hardwood and softwood lignin and the observed differences in the glass transition temperature.
authors.affiliation: Biomaterials Chemistry, Department of Wood Science, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Kadla
mesh_terms: D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D002384:Catalysis; D005898:Glass; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / Q000379:methods*; D013696:Temperature; D014934:Wood
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D008031:Lignin