Features of frequency dependence of electrical conductivity and dielectric properties in lignins from conifers and deciduous trees

Abstract

Abstract Lignins are among the most common plant polymers and demonstrate pronounced electrical conductivity properties due to their conjugated polymolecular aromatic structure and polyfunctional nature. Electrical conductivity and dielectric properties of lignins from conifers and deciduous trees in the range of electric field frequencies from 10−2 to 107 Hz were investigated by means of dielectric spectroscopy. Characteristic parameters of static and high frequency electrical conductivity were calculated. To study the influence of the lignins functional nature on their electrophysical properties, the study determined three types of relaxators (separate charges or charge systems in the structure of a substance changing their position in space when exposed to an external alternating electric field) in the structure of the lignin macromolecule. Low-frequency relaxators are associated with oscillations of methoxyl groups. Mid-frequency relaxators correspond predominantly to phenolic hydroxyl groups and to hydroxyl groups of adsorbed water. High-frequency relaxators correspond to the hopping of π-electrons along the chain of conjugated bonds of a benzene ring. Differences in the structure and functional nature of lignins from conifers and deciduous trees cause different contributions of low-frequency relaxators. As a result, these features form differences in the electrophysical properties of lignins from conifers and deciduous trees.