Lignin Particle Production by Spray Dryer with Self-Assembly Technique

Spry dry and self-assembly techniques was applied to obtain a spherical lignin particle with low particles size distribution. Phase behavior of lignin, ethanol and water ternary system was investigated for spray dry process. Lignin with high solubility in ethanol fraction was used in this research. In the lignin/ethanol/water system, an increase in water content induces the self-assembly of lignin and forms lignin particles colloid. Sedimentation of lignin particles was observed at high lignin and water content. Three different contents of lignin at 1:9 of ethanol:water ratio which were stable colloids in the lignin/ethanol/water ternary system, were selected for spray dry process.,. The result was found that higher content of lignin showed smaller size (5.16 μm). FE-SEM results confirmed a spherical shape and low size distribution of the dried lignin particles. The chemical structure and thermal properties of the lignin particles were also investigated by FT-IR and TGA.