Investigating the effect of methylation treatment on the kraft lignin optical behavior through simulation of lignin-containing papers

In this study, changes in optical behavior of Poplar Kraft lignin before and after methylation by using dimethyl sulphate, was monitored by measuring optical indices ( brightness,light absorbtion coefficient, light scattering coefficient,light absorbtion coefficient to light scattering coefficient ratio and Post-Color numbers) of impregnated papers following accelerated photo aging. The structural changes in lignin caused by methylation reaction, were verified by using fourier transform infar red( FT-IR) spectroscopy. The results showed that, by methylation of lignin, it was observed that, in methylated lignin-containing papers, the extent and stability of brightness is more and post- color number is less compared to control samples. In methylated samples, even the strange phenomenon of photo bleaching was observed. Therefore, it was found that, methylation of lignin can prevent the formation of quinone groups and increases the stability of the optical indices in the photo aging conditions.
Keywords: Kraft lignin, methylation treatment, accelerated photo- aging, optical indices,lignin-containing papers.