LIGNIN - A USEFUL BIORESOURCE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SORPTION-ACTIVE MATERIALS

Sorption characteristics of acid hydrolysis lignins, commercial by-pro ducts of wood conversion to fuel ethanol, and their nitrogen-containin g derivatives have been examined to determine the most suitable areas of application of lignin-based sorbents. The results obtained have sho wn that the sorption capacity for organic contaminants of an aromatic nature increases significantly as a result of the modification of hydr olysis lignins with quaternary ammonium compounds. The amination of li gnin with epoxy amines enhanced its sorption activity towards heavy me tals. Aminolignins have a high sorption capacity for bile acids and ch olesterol. Sorption properties of nitrogen-containing lignin derivativ es are such that they can be proposed for use in the environment-prote ction field and as enterosorbents. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.