Extraction of Lignosulfonate from Jute Sticks and its Application in Lead–Acid Battery

Lignosulfonate was extracted from jute sticks by acid sulfite pulping and purified by two alternative chemical processes. The lignosulfonate from jute was compared with commercially available products by infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. The jute sourced lignosulfonates showed crystalline peaks and higher solubility in water. The characteristic FTIR peaks of lignosulfonate were observed. The jute sourced lignosulfonate was used to construct the negative active mass (NAM) of lead–acid battery (LAB). The constructed LAB was subjected to standard charging and discharging cycles at 20 h, 10 h and 5 h. The normalized capacity of the constructed cells at different discharge rate was used to compare the performance of lignosulfonates from jute with a commercial sample. It showed better performance at lower discharge rates of 20 h and 10 h, while under faster discharge cycles of 5 h, the performance of the NAM plates containing jute sourced lignosulfonate showed slightly lower specific charge capacity in comparison with standard commercial product. The performance studies indicated that jute sticks could serve as a competitive source of sodium lignosulfonate for application in LAB involving lower rate discharge cycles as in solar power battery. As an alternative to conventionally used wood for commercial manufacture of lignosulfonates, lignosulfonate extracted from an inexpensive, annually renewable agro-waste, jute stick, could open new manufacturing stations and contribute to conservation of the environment.