Lignin — a useful bioresource for the production of sorption-active materials

Sorption characteristics of acid hydrolysis lignins, commercial by-products of wood conversion to fuel ethanol, and their nitrogen-containing derivatives have been examined to determine the most suitable areas of application of lignin-based sorbents. The results obtained have shown that the sorption capacity for organic contaminants of an aromatic nature increases significantly as a result of the modification of hydrolysis lignins with quaternary ammonium compounds. The amination of lignin with epoxy amines enhanced its sorption activity towards heavy metals. Aminolignins have a high sorption capacity for bile acids and cholesterol. Sorption properties of nitrogen-containing lignin derivatives are such that they can be proposed for use in the environment-protection field and as enterosorbents.