Nanochemistry and biotechnology

Swelling studies of polymer microspheres based on kraft lignin
Goliszek M.1
1 Department of Polymer Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University. Maria Curie-Skłodowska Sq. 5, 20-400 Lublin, Poland. 
E-mail: marta.goliszek@poczta.umcs.lublin.pl

Polymer microspheres have attracted attention as carrier matrices in a wide variety of biological and medical applications. Various parameters including particle size and size distribution, pore structure and porosity, surface area, reactive sites and swellability are considered to describe the overall performance of polymer microspheres in these applications [1]. 
Swelling is the phenomenon caused by the absorption of liquid by many macromolecular substances, which results in the increase in the volume of these substances. Polymers swell in solvents due to the large ratio of length to other dimensions of linear macromolecules. The greater is the mass of the polymer molecule, the swelling and dissolution process is slower [2]. 
The aim of the research was swelling studies of polymer microspheres based on kraft lignin.. The selection of monomers had a decisive influence on this process. In the case of microspheres, where for the synthesis triethoxyvinylsilane (TEVS) was used, a significant reduction of the swelling process was observed compared to the materials where this monomer was not used. The influence of the addition of lignin on swelling was also evaluated. An increase in swelling with increased amount of lignin in the material was observed [3-4].

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