Phosphorylation of lignin: Characterization and investigation of the thermal decomposition

Lignin is an abundant polyphenol biopolymeric material. Lignin was phosphorylated thanks to the presence of reactive hydroxyl groups in its structure. A detailed characterization allowed us to prove that phosphate groups are covalently bonded to the lignin's structure. The thermal stability of lignin was improved with the presence of phosphorus and was evaluated at 3% w/w. The thermal decomposition of lignin was deeply investigated through gas and condensed phases analyzes. The phosphorus was found to promote dehydration and decarboxylation reactions, thus increasing the amount of carbonaceous residue which was more stable at high temperature. The combustibility of lignin was also lowered when phosphorylated. Finally, even if half of the initial amount was released in the gas phase, the phosphorus mainly acts in the condensed phase by forming different species, which prevents the residue from oxidation.