Model compounds-based study on adsorption and dispersion properties of lignin-based superplasticizer

The chemical modifications of lignin-based superplasticizers have attracted extensive attentions during recent years. The comprehending of the structure-activity relationship of lignin-based superplasticizer is important to promote the modification and application research of lignin resources. However, lignin features complex and variable molecular structure, which is not conducive to study on structure-activity relationship of lignin-based superplasticizer as well as development and application of new lignin-based superplasticizer. However, the related research work can be simplified by selecting small molecular compound with appropriate molecular structure as the lignin model compound. This article intends to study the structure-activity relationship of lignin-based superplasticizer by using dihydroeugenol as the lignin model compound. Through the substitution of lignin by dihydroeugenol during the synthesis process, a model compound lignin-based superplasticizer (DAFS) was synthesized. The adsorption and dispersion properties of this superplasticizer and reference sample (LAFS) were investigated by fluidity test, Zeta-potential measurement, Total organic carbon analysis and others. The results suggest that the adsorption behavior of both DAFS and LAFS conformed to the Langmuir isotherms and Pseudo-second order kinetic. In cement paste, added with 1 g/L of LAFS and DAFS, Zeta potential were reduced from +3.5 to −15.2 mV and −18.7 mV, respectively. The substitution of lignin by dihydroeugenol has no significantly influence on the dispersive property, but differences on rheological properties which need to be optimized in the future. All the tests confirmed that dihydroeugenol is suitable to replace lignin on exploring the structure-activity relationship of lignin-based superplasticizer. This research work provides new insight on model study of lignin-based superplasticizer.