1. STRUCTURAL EVALUATION OF MATERIALS BASED ON XANTHAN GUM AND LIGNIN Irina Elena Raschip, Maria-Cristina Popescu “Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, iecoj@icmpp.ro iecoj@icmpp.ro COST Action FP1105: Understanding wood cell wall structure, biopolymer interaction and composition: implications for current products and new materials San Sebastian, Spain, 25-28 May 2015

2. Why xanthan gum and lignin? Xanthan - thickening agent, emulsifier, stabilizer qualities, its ability to form films, together with the possibility of applications in various areas (food industry, cosmetics and pharmacy); Xanthan - thickening agent, emulsifier, stabilizer qualities, its ability to form films, together with the possibility of applications in various areas (food industry, cosmetics and pharmacy); due to its characteristics (nano-size particles, amorphous polymer, nontoxic and biodegradable polymer, antibacterial and antioxidant properties), Lignin can be considered as a material providing many opportunities in various application fields, such as nanotechnology, medicine and pharmaceutical domains, agricultural, biomaterial, and packaging industries; due to its characteristics (nano-size particles, amorphous polymer, nontoxic and biodegradable polymer, antibacterial and antioxidant properties), Lignin can be considered as a material providing many opportunities in various application fields, such as nanotechnology, medicine and pharmaceutical domains, agricultural, biomaterial, and packaging industries; Xanthan incorporation leads to an increase of the thermal stability, hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability of the films. Xanthan incorporation leads to an increase of the thermal stability, hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability of the films.

3. elaboration of hydrogels based on xanthan gum (X) and different types of lignin in order to develop matrix sustained-release of highly water- soluble the work was carried out in order to gain better understanding on morphology and specific interactions within xanthan– lignin systems.

4. The materials used and their characteristics Xanthan gum – E 415 (FDA) molecular weight is been reported to be M w ~ 3,5 x 10 6 g/mol white or lightly yellow solid powder

5. Hydrogel-film preparation the xanthan gum and lignin were mixed with NaOH solution, and then EPC was added under vigorously continuous stirring. The mixtures gels-like were lied on glass plates and the crosslinking reaction was performed for 8 h at 80 0 C. After crosslinking, the hydrogels were washed out until it was observed that approximately 97% of EPC was removed from the system. the xanthan gum and lignin were mixed with NaOH solution, and then EPC was added under vigorously continuous stirring. The mixtures gels-like were lied on glass plates and the crosslinking reaction was performed for 8 h at 80 0 C. After crosslinking, the hydrogels were washed out until it was observed that approximately 97% of EPC was removed from the system.

6. Morphology study 70X/30HpHL70X/30GL all hydrogels presents spherical domains which seemed to be encapsulated in the matrix the images of the hydrogels showed homogenous distributions and continuous film formations, indicating an excellent interaction between the two components the presence of pores on the scanned area it is observed; porous structure characteristics depend on the lignin type

7. FT-IR examination of the hydrogels in the FT-IR spectra of hydrogels all bands are broader proving that the crosslinking took place using the wavenumber corresponding to the OH stretching vibration, the energy of the H bonds can be calculated this has values between 16.9 and 17.3 kJ for intramolecular H bonds and 25.1 and 27.3 kJ for intermolecular H bonds, and order of its variation in respect with lignin types is: X/AWL > X/HpHL > X/PL > X/CL > X/GL

8. The sorption isotherms are a typical combination of classic IUPAC type III and I isotherms for sorption and desorption. The sorption capacity of the hydrogels varies with the type of lignin used. Water uptake at maximum RH increases in all hydrogels in comparison to X, the highest one being the X/GL hydrogel (34.18 wt%). Sorption isotherms plotted as a function of sample relative humidity of the X and X/L hydrogels

9. Conclusions The obtained hydrogels own high water vapor sorption capacities, good mechanical properties such as high strength and stiff structure. SEM indicates that the lignin type influences the hydrogel morphology leading to formation of different porous structures with a smooth surface, excepting the hydrogel containing AWL which form a fibrilar structure. FT-IR spectroscopy: interactions between the two components leading to the formation of new hydrogen bonds and of crosslinked structure. The energy of the hydrogen bonds is higher for the hydrogel containing AWL suggesting stronger intermolecular interactions. Lignin role as antimicrobial agent and thermal stabilizer in xanthan/lignin hydrogels depends on lignin type and characteristics. These materials have potential in different fields of applications.