The use of bioaromatics as a bio-based building block in polymers is currently attracting tremendous interest from both academia and industry. Functional additives, such as flame retardants, UV stabilizers, antioxidants and plasticizers, are ubiquitous in thermoplastics and thermosets, and are essential for improving processability, durability and end-use properties. Lignin is the second most abundant natural polymer on earth and represents the only large scale source of aromatics in nature. The properties of lignin include antioxidant, antibacterial, flame retardant or UV-blocker. Unfortunately, lignin is still poorly valorised today, and is mainly used as a low cost fuel.
Goal of the project
The goal of this project is to develop different lignin-polymer materials with enhanced properties:
- Evaluation different types of lignin (technical and depolymerized lignins from different sources and extraction processes).
- Chemical modifications of lignin
- Incorporation of the developed lignin bio-additives in (bio)-polymers by thermal extrusion. Evaluation of different formulations.
- Thermal and mechanical properties (DSC, TGA, DMA or tensile testing)
General information
- Compensation: standard student internship compensation of 350 euros.
- The working language will be in both Dutch and English