Correlating lignin structural features to phase partitioning behavior in a novel aqueous fractionation of softwood Kraft black liquor

In this work, a set of softwood lignins were recovered from a Kraft black liquor using a novel pH-based fractionation process involving sequential CO2 acidification and separation of the solvated aqueous lignin fraction. These recovered lignin fractions were characterized with respect to properties that may be responsible for their phase partitioning behavior as well as properties that may render the lignins more suitable for materials...