| 1. |
- Liu, Jinrong, 1995-, et al.
(author)
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Ag-lignin hybrid nanoparticles for high-performance solar absorption in photothermal antibacterial chitosan films
- 2023
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In: iScience. - 2589-0042. ; 26:10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is an urgent need for antimicrobial films based on sustainable resources and production methods. In this study, we present a bio-based nanocomposite film composed of chitosan (∼60 wt %), lignin nanoparticles (LNPs, ∼40 wt %), a small amount of glutaraldehyde (1.5 wt %), and a trace level of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs, 0.072 wt %). The uniform dispersion with LNPs prevented aggregation of metallic silver, resulting in small (diameter 3.3 nm) AgNPs. The nanocomposite film absorbs 89% of radiation across the entire solar spectrum and exhibits a remarkable photothermally triggered antibacterial effect, which is further enhanced by the dark color of lignin. Under simulated solar light illumination, the nanocomposite films demonstrated a significant reduction in viable Escherichia coli count compared to control scenarios. The potential applications of these nanocomposites extend to sunlight-activated antimicrobial films and coatings, addressing the growing demand for sustainable and effective antimicrobial materials.
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| 2. |
- Liu, Jinrong, 1995-, et al.
(author)
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Photonic crystals with rainbow colors by centrifugation-assisted assembly of colloidal lignin nanoparticles
- 2023
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In: Nature Communications. - 2041-1723. ; 14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Photonic crystals are optical materials that are often fabricated by assembly of particles into periodically arranged structures. However, assembly of lignin nanoparticles has been limited due to lacking methods and incomplete understanding of the interparticle forces and packing mechanisms. Here we show a centrifugation-assisted fabrication of photonic crystals with rainbow structural colors emitted from the structure covering the entire visible spectrum. Our results show that centrifugation is crucial for the formation of lignin photonic crystals, because assembly of lignin nanoparticles without centrifugation assistance leads to the formation of stripe patterns rather than photonic crystals. We further prove that the functions of centrifugation are to classify lignin nanoparticles according to their particle size and produce monodispersed particle layers that display gradient colors from red to violet. The different layers of lignin nanoparticles were assembled in a way that created semi-closed packing structures, which gave rise to coherent scattering. The diameter of the lignin nanoparticles in each color layer is smaller than that predicted by a modified Bragg’s equation. In situ optical microscope images provided additional evidence on the importance of dynamic rearrangement of lignin nanoparticles during their assembly into semi-closed packing structures. The preparation of lignin nanoparticles combined with the methodology for their classification and assembly pave the way for sustainable photonic crystals.
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| 3. |
- Liu, Liyang, 1990-, et al.
(author)
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Solventless Amination of Lignin and Natural Phenolics using 2-Oxazolidinone
- 2023
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In: ChemSusChem. - : Wiley. - 1864-5631 .- 1864-564X. ; 16:15
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Reactive amine compounds are critical for a vast array of useful chemicals in society, yet a limited number of them are derived from renewable resources. This study developed an efficient route to obtain aminated building blocks from phenolic resources derived from nature, such as lignin and tannic acid, for enhancing their utility in applications such as epoxy resins, nylons, polyurethanes, and other polymeric materials. The reaction utilized a carbon storage compound, 2-oxazolidinone as a solvent and as a reagent circumventing the need of hazardous chemistry of conventional amination routes such as those involving formaldehyde. Both free acids and hindered phenolics were readily converted into aminoethyl derivatives resulting in aromatics with primary amine functionality. The aminated compounds, with the potential for enhanced reactivity, can pave the way toward more advanced renewable building blocks.
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| 4. |
- Moreno, Adrian, et al.
(author)
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Urushi as a Green Component for Thermally Curable Colloidal Lignin Particles and Hydrophobic Coatings
- 2023
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In: ACS Macro Letters. - 2161-1653. ; 12:6, s. 759-766
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Colloidal lignin nanoparticles are promising buildingblocks forsustainable functional materials. However, their instability in organicsolvents and aqueous alkali limits their applicability. Current stabilizationmethods require nonrenewable and toxic reagents or tedious workupprocedures. Here we show a method to prepare hybrid nanoparticlesusing only natural components. Urushi, a form of black oriental lacquer,and lignin are coaggregated to form hybrid particles, with Urushiacting as a sustainable component that stabilizes the particles viahydration barrier effect and thermally triggered internal cross-linking.The weight fractions of the two components can be adjusted to achievethe desired level of stabilization. Hybrid particles with Urushi content>25 wt % undergo interparticle cross-linking that produces multifunctionalhydrophobic protective coatings that improve the water resistanceof wood. This approach provides a sustainable and efficient methodfor stabilizing lignin nanoparticles and opens up neoteric possibilitiesfor the development of lignin-based advanced functional materials.
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| 5. |
- Thalakkale Veettil, Unnimaya, 1998-, et al.
(author)
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Mechanically recyclable melt-spun fibers from lignin esters and iron oxide nanoparticles : towards circular lignin materials
- 2023
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In: Green Chemistry. - 1463-9262 .- 1463-9270. ; 25:24, s. 10424-10435
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The inferior thermoplastic properties have limited production of melt-spun fibers from lignin. Here we report on the controlled esterification of softwood kraft lignin (SKL) to enable scalable, solvent-free melt spinning of microfibers using a cotton candy machine. We found that it is crucial to control the esterification process as melt-spun fibers could be produced from lignin oleate and lignin stearate precursors with degrees of esterification (DE) ranging from 20-50%, but not outside this range. To fabricate a functional hybrid material, we incorporated magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) into the lignin oleate fibers by melt blending and subsequent melt spinning. Thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction studies revealed that increasing the weight fraction of MNPs led to improved thermal stability of the fibers. Finally, we demonstrated adsorption of organic dyes, magnetic recovery, and recycling via melt spinning of the regular and magnetic fibers with 95% and 83% retention of the respective adsorption capacities over three adsorption cycles. The mechanical recyclability of the microfibers represents a new paradigm in lignin-based circular materials.
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| 6. |
- Yao, Jenevieve G., et al.
(author)
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Lignin nanoparticle-enhanced biobased resins for digital light processing 3D printing : Towards high resolution and tunable mechanical properties
- 2023
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In: European Polymer Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 0014-3057 .- 1873-1945. ; 194
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The more widespread applicability of photopolymerization-based three-dimensional (3D) printing is limited by the availability of light-curable resins, most of which are based on fossil-derived compounds. We developed a biobased lignin-derivable resin by utilizing methacrylated derivatives of vanillin, vanillyl alcohol, and eugenol as aromatic monomers. Lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) were incorporated as functional fillers that enhance print resolution and material properties. The crosslinking degree, and thereby the tensile properties, was modulated through the use of mono- or dimethacrylated vanillin derivatives in the resin formulation. The LNPs acted as UV absorbers, conferring better control of the photopolymerization process by preventing light penetration across unintended layers, leading to enhanced print resolution. The LNPs showed excellent dispersion stability due to their size and morphology. The inclusion of up to 2 wt% of LNPs improved the ductility of the 3D printed nanocomposites through toughening mechanisms enabled by the rigid nanoparticles. Finally, exploiting the differences in crosslinking degree of the resin formulations, a multi-material model featuring both soft and rigid domains was fabricated. This study demonstrates a simple but effective strategy for the design of biobased photocurable resins with tailorable mechanical properties that are suitable for high-resolution and multi-material 3D printing.
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