Processing and Study of Novel Lignin-Starch and Lignin-Gelatin Biodegradable Polymeric Films‪.‬

Abstract: Synthetic plastics pose one of the biggest threats to the environment today. The most promising solution to this problem is the prospect of biodegradable polymers. In this work, we have explored the possibility of extracting lignin from waste wood chips of a paper industry and blending lignin with established biopolymers like starch and gelatin. Lignin is one of the most commonly available natural materials, yet it has been under utilized as a biopolymer. This paper reports the methodology of preparation and results of tensile and water absorption tests of different lignin-starch, lignin-gelatin and starch-gelatin-lignin polymer films. All the materials used for the polymers are bio derived and completely biodegradable. Solution blending followed by curing was the method adopted for the preparation of the films. Complete methodology of preparation of each film and the results of the tests are discussed in detail in the paper. In this paper we have explored the possibility of preparation of novel biopolymers. Novelty of the work lies in using lignin extracted from paper industry waste. Over and above bringing down the cost of lignin to almost nil, this method utilizes a waste product and the polymers prepared are potential biomaterials.