Lignin-Based Polyurethanes from Unmodified Kraft Lignin Fractionated by Sequential Precipitation

Lignin-based polyurethanes were synthesized from three unmodified softwood Kraft lignin fractions as the primary hydroxyl group providers which constituted >40% of the polymeric materials. High-, medium-, and low-molecular-weight Kraft lignin fractions were prepared by sequential precipitation from the acetone–methanol cosolvent by adding hexane as an antisolvent. A polyether, poly(ethylene glycol), and a polyester, poly(trimethylene glutarate), were selected as secondary polyols to form the soft segments in the lignin-based network. At a fixed NCO/OH ratio (1:1), the effects of lignin macromolecular features and their intermolecular interactions with the secondary polyols on mechanical and thermal properties of the lignin-based polyurethanes were investigated by tensile tests, DMA, SEM, and TGA. Owing to the unique association behavior of macromolecular lignin, the sequential precipitation method was able to produce Kraft lignin fractions possessing very high molecular weights. The morphological study revealed that the polyurethane network was assembled by cross-linking nanosized lignin complexes through urethane links. It was found that the mechanical properties of the lignin-based polyurethanes can be tuned by lignin molecular weight and the incorporation of a secondary polyol. Compared to poly(trimethylene glutarate), poly(ethylene glycol) interacts strongly with associated lignin complexes through hydrogen bonding. It promoted dissociation of the lignin complexes and consequently improved reactivity between lignin and diisocyanate. Moreover, at PEG/lignin = 1:4 (w/w), the soft segments formed by PEG enhanced the stiffness of the lignin-based polyurethanes; when the PEG content was increased to PEG/lignin = 2:3 (w/w), plastic deformation can be observed for the stress–strain curves of all corresponding lignin-based polyurethanes.