Free radical gelling reactions of lignosulfonates

Abstract

Abstract Eleven different lignosulfonates (LS) and nine different free radical initiators have been tested in different concentrations to study the possibility of forming LS gels. It was found that the initiator must have a potential high enough for oxidizing the phenolic groups but not so high that would lead to a complete destruction of the LS. The chemical changes of the LS with different oxidants were observed in tests with low concentration of LS. The course of the reaction depends strongly on the type of oxidants that are able to gel the LS.