Lignosulfonate is one of the major industrial products from wood. To utilize this compound as a moldable and strong material, we prepared a complex of lignosulfonate with cationic polyelectrolytes and reducing sugars. This complex contains two different crosslinking structures, i.e., ionic crosslinking between lignosulfonate and cationic polyelectrolytes and covalent crosslinking via the Maillard reaction of amino groups with reducing sugars. The coexisting of two different crosslinking greatly improved mechanical strength, Young’s modulus, water resistance, and adhesive strength compared with solely crosslinked complexes composed of the same ingredients.
- Kazunori Ushimaru
- Tomotake Morita
- Tokuma Fukuoka
