- Chemical name: Lignosulfonic acid sodium salt
- Other names: Sodium lignosulfonate, sodium salts of lignosulfonic acid
- Chemical formula: C9H9O4S1Na1
- Molecular weight: Approximately ranges from 200-500 g/mol (depending on source)
- Appearance: Dark brown water-soluble powder or liquid
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water, insoluble in common organic solvents
- Origin: Byproduct of the sulfite pulping process in papermaking
- Structure: Consists of sodium cations bonded to sulfonate groups on a lignocellulosic polymeric backbone
- Properties: Surfactant, dispersant, emulsifying agent due to hydrophilic sulfonate groups
- Applications: Concrete additive, oil drilling, ceramics processing, mining, agriculture, wastewater treatment
- Mechanism: Sodium-lignosulfonate improves workability and fluidity by dispersing cement particles
- Safety: Generally recognized as safe for use; possible skin/eye irritant at high concentrations
- Production: Large volumes as paper industry byproduct; also production by sulfonation of lignin。
key industrial applications of lignosulfonic acid sodium salt:
- Concrete admixture – Improves workability, strength, and reduces water demand. Commonly used as water reducer and plasticizer.
- Oil well drilling – Used as viscosifier, fluid loss control additive, and shale inhibitor in drilling muds.
- Ceramics – Acts as a dispersing agent for slips and glazes. Improves rheology and bonding properties.
- Dust control – Suppresses airborne dust when sprayed on mining/construction sites through flocculation.
- Pellet binder – Binds mineral/ore powder particles during pelletization processes in mining/metallurgy.
- Agriculture – Increases water retention and aeration in soil. Used as complexing agent in fertilizers.
- Wastewater treatment – Coagulates suspended solids for flocculation and sediments dewatering.
- Textile manufacturing – Acts as dispersing agent, softener, and antistatic agent in dyeing and finishing processes.
- Paper recycling – Improves deinking process efficiency by dispersing ink particles.
- Vegetable oil processing – Extraction of oil from seeds using its emulsifying properties.
- Cosmetics – Used as emulsifier and thickening agent in creams and lotions.