Contact person
Sofia Regnell Andersson
Forskare
Contact Sofia
Measuring the Molecular Weight Distribution of Lignin
Molar mass and molar mass distribution is a fundamental property of lignin and an important characteristic for understanding and predicting polymer performance. We have equipment specialized for measuring molar mass distribution on lignin.
Purpose
Knowing the molar mass distribution (MMD) is important to, for example, follow how the lignin is affected by different modifications and processes and to understand in which application a certain type of lignin would fit.
Method
RISE has one THF-based SEC-system equipped with an RI and UV detector and one alkali-based SEC-system with three detectors, RI, UV and MALS (Multi-Angle Light Scattering), especially designed for lignin analysis.
The lignin molecules are separated in a column based on their size. For the RI- and UV-detectors, the sample is compared to standards with known molecular weight, similar in structure to the lignin, to calculate the molecular weight of the sample. With the MALS-detector, light scattering is used to determine molecular weight, why calibration standards are not necessary. Hence, MALS gives the a direct estimation of the molecular weight.
Delivery
Results are compiled in an analysis report.
