Lignin (Alkaline), or alkali lignin, is an aromatic biopolymer obtained from the cooking of lignocellulosic biomass under alkaline conditions. Lignin is the third most abundant structural component of plant cell walls after cellulose and hemicellulose, where it provides rigidity and resistance to microbial attack. In the laboratory, this material serves as a renewable feedstock for polymer development, as a source of aromatic compounds obtained through depolymerisation, and as a test substrate in biomass conversion and green chemistry research.
The characteristics that make alkali lignin attractive lie in its aromatic framework, which is rich in phenolic hydroxyl and methoxy groups. This structure gives the material a natural antioxidant capacity, the ability to absorb ultraviolet light, and a large number of reactive sites available for chemical modification. The alkaline variant is generally more readily soluble in basic solutions than other lignin types, which simplifies its preparation into working solutions. It is supplied as a brown powder, and its nature as a renewable material derived from pulp industry residues makes it an appealing candidate for replacing petroleum-based inputs.
In Indonesian laboratories, alkali lignin is widely used in academic and applied research settings where renewable raw materials are a priority. It supports work on biomass valorisation, bio-based polymer formulation, and green chemistry, drawing on the abundant lignocellulosic residues available domestically. Research groups in materials science, chemical engineering, and agricultural product processing commonly rely on this material for both exploratory studies and method development.
- Renewable polymer development — the abundant phenolic hydroxyl groups provide reactive sites for grafting, crosslinking, and blending, allowing lignin to be incorporated into bio-based polymer formulations in place of petroleum-derived components.
- Depolymerisation and aromatic compound recovery — the aromatic backbone makes this material a direct source of low molecular weight aromatic products, supporting catalytic and thermochemical studies on lignin breakdown pathways.
- Biomass conversion research — as a representative lignocellulosic fraction, it functions as a reference test substrate for evaluating reaction conditions, catalysts, and process routes in biomass valorisation studies.
- Natural antioxidant studies — the phenolic hydroxyl content confers inherent radical scavenging capacity, making the material suitable for screening lignin-based antioxidant additives and evaluating stabilisation performance.
- Ultraviolet absorbing formulations — the aromatic structure absorbs ultraviolet light, allowing this lignin to be examined as a renewable UV-screening additive in coatings, films, and composite material research.
| Brand | TCI |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 8061-51-6 |
| Molecular formula | — |
| Purity | — |
| Category | Materials Science > Polymer/Macromolecule Reagents > Polymers |
| Pack sizes | available in standard TCI catalogue pack sizes; please confirm the current options when ordering |
| Physical form | brown powder |
| Storage | store in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry place away from moisture |
Store alkali lignin in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry area, protected from moisture and direct sunlight, since the powder readily takes up atmospheric humidity and may cake. Original supplier containers or amber glass and chemically resistant plastic bottles with secure closures are suitable for storage and for aliquots. Handle the powder in a fume hood or a well ventilated area to limit dust generation, and wear a laboratory coat, safety glasses, and gloves. Use clean, dry spatulas when weighing, close containers immediately after use, and consult the supplier safety data sheet before handling, preparing solutions, or disposing of residues.
—