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Effect of bio-ethanol industry-based lignin properties on the chemical and high-temperature properties of bitumen–lignin blends

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Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate how properties of lignin derived from the bio-ethanol industry, affect the chemical and high-temperature characteristics of bitumen–lignin blends. Two types of lignin, fermentation residue lignin (FRL) and isolated lignin (IL) obtained from bio-ethanol residue were analyzed for morphology, thermal stability, elemental composition, and chemical structure. These lignin materials were used to partially replace base bitumen at weight percentages of 5, 10, and 15%. Subsequently, the resulting blends were evaluated for their elemental composition, physical properties (such as softening point, viscosity, and Superpave rutting parameter), and thermal stability. The study revealed that both FRL and IL materials were characterized by spherical particles with rough surfaces. Although the addition of FRL and IL did not notably alter the Hydrogen-to-Carbon ratio of the bitumen, it did elevate the overall content of heteroatoms, including Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Sulphur. This partial replacement of bitumen with FRL and IL led to increased softening point, viscosity, and Superpave rutting parameter of the base bitumen. Crucially, thermal analysis demonstrated that there were no adverse effects on thermal stability within the temperature range pertinent to pavement construction. The observed stiffening of the FRL and IL partially replaced bitumen blends across various tests can be attributed to several factors. These factors encompass aging during blending, Van der Waal's interactions between bitumen and lignin materials due to the rough surface, polar interactions arising from the higher heteroatoms content, and the presence of phenolic functional group, which serve as antioxidant.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express our sincere gratitude to Praj Industries Ltd., Pune, Maharashtra for the supply of lignin containing bio-ethanol residue material.

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  1. Civil Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India

    Thavamani Andiyappan & Kranthi Kumar Kuna

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  1. Thavamani Andiyappan
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  2. Kranthi Kumar Kuna
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Correspondence to Thavamani Andiyappan.

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Andiyappan, T., Kuna, K.K. Effect of bio-ethanol industry-based lignin properties on the chemical and high-temperature properties of bitumen–lignin blends. Mater Struct 56, 153 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-023-02245-2

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