A comparison of the surface properties of lignin and sulfonated lignins by FTIR spectroscopy and wicking technique

The comparison of the FTIR spectra indicated that the sulfonation without caused changes in the main structure of lignin and only in the lignin chains. The surface properties, e.g. the surface free energy and related components, e.g. the Lifshitz–van der Waals and Lewis acid–base interactions components, of lignin and lignosulfonates, LGSs, with different ions, e.g. Na+–, Mg2+–, and Ca2+–, studied and compared by wicking technique indicated that the surface free energy of lignin is lower than that of all used LGSs. This suggests that the sulfonation can enhance the surface property for lignin by increasing of the Lifshitz–van der Waals component and Lewis base component of lignin.