Abstract: An acidic water-based process was developed for the synthesis of anionic lignin copolymers with adjustable MW, thermal stability and solubility in water. The anionic lignin copolymer described herein comprises: a molecular weight of 5,000 to 7.4×105 g/mol; and a charge density of ?1 to ?7.2 meq/g. The anionic lignin copolymers described herein which have a molecular weight range of 000-50,000 g/mol can be used as dispersants of negatively charged molecules or particles in numerous process or wastewater streams (e.g. concrete admixtures, gypsum slurries, textile dye) while such copolymers in a molecular weight range of 90,000-740,000 g/mole can be used as flocculants of positively charged molecules or particles in numerous process and wastewater streams including industrial and municipal systems and sludge dewatering in the textile dye, pulp & paper, mining and oil industries.

Abstract: A water-based process was developed for the synthesis of aminated lignin copolymers with high MW, thermal stability and solubility in water over a wide range of p H values. The cationic lignin copolymer described herein comprises: a grafting ratio of (weight of cationic amine compound)/(weight of lignin) of 70 to 200% and a charge density of +1.4-3.0 meq/g. This cationic lignin copolymer can be used as a flocculant in numerous wastewater streams including municipal and industrial systems and sludge dewatering in the pulp & paper, mining and oil industries.

Abstract: An acidic water-based process was developed for the synthesis of anionic lignin copolymers with adjustable MW, thermal stability and solubility in water. The anionic lignin copolymer described herein comprises: a molecular weight of 5,000 to 7.4×105 g/mol; and a charge density of ?1 to ?7.2 meq/g. The anionic lignin copolymers described herein which have a molecular weight range of 000-50,000 g/mol can be used as dispersants of negatively charged molecules or particles in numerous process or wastewater streams (e.g. concrete admixtures, gypsum slurries, textile dye) while such copolymers in a molecular weight range of 90,000-740,000 g/mole can be used as flocculants of positively charged molecules or particles in numerous process and wastewater streams including industrial and municipal systems and sludge dewatering in the textile dye, pulp & paper, mining and oil industries.