Synthesis of sodium lignosulfonate from lignin extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunches by acid/alkaline treatment for reinforcement in natural rubber composites

Abstract

This work studied a synthesis of sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) from the lignin which extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) by using batch method. The preparation of lignin from OPEFB was done by acid pretreatment using 1% (wt/wt) H2SO4 at 90 °C for 120 min in order to reduce hemicelluloses. Then lignin was extracted by 2.5% (wt/wt) NaOH at 90 °C for 180 min and precipitated by adjusting pH to 2 with 98% H2SO4. The obtained lignin was changed to SLS by using sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3). The study yields of prepared SLS conducted by varying concentration of NaHSO3. The obtained SLS was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and zeta potential compared to sodium lignosulfonate (commercial).