A Simple Method to Synthesize Lignin Nanoparticles

Abstract

The self-assembly of lignin (molecular and supramolecular) is driven mainly by non-covalent interactions, and the nature of the solvents and antisolvents directly affect the driving forces. The lignin particle is usually formed by noncovalently bonded cylindrical subunits. In this paper, we report a simple method which can be used to synthesize lignin nanoparticles by using spray freezing. The method is based on two properties of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) that are excellent lignin solubility and a high melting point. Based on these two properties, kraft lignin solution in DMSO was sprayed onto liquid nitrogen-cooled copper plates using a handheld spray. The high melting point of DMSO caused immediate freezing and particle formation. The obtained particles were characterized for their size and morphology using dynamic light scattering (DLS), as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nano-range polydispersed particles were obtained by spraying 0.05% of lignin onto DMSO. This method can avoid lignin-solvent-antisolvent interactions, and can also be used to study lignin-lignin (subunits) and lignin-DMSO interactions.

Spherical lignin particles: a review on their sustainability and applications

“…Dry lignin nanoparticles have also been formed by evaporating solvents from a reverse micelle dispersion of lignin, 53 and by using a so-called ice segregation method, which involves freezing lignin solutions on cold surfaces. 56,61 Wet particles Various precipitation methods exist for the fabrication of nano-and microscaled lignin particles, 9,10,35,42,48,57,[62][63][64][65][66] but not all of them produce spherical lignin particles in colloidally stable aqueous dispersions. The process of dissolving lignin in (aqueous) organic solvent and precipitating in a non-solvent (typically water) is commonly referred to as solvent shifting, solvent exchange or nanoprecipitation.…”

Strategies for structuring diverse emulsion systems by using wood lignocellulose-derived stabilizers

“…132 Recent efforts in lignin nanoparticle research tackle the challenge of their continuous production by using a microchannel 126 and a potentially scalable preparation by spray-freezing. 133 4.2.4. Hemicellulose particles.…”

Lignin for Bioeconomy: The Present and Future Role of Technical Lignin

“…It has also provided an impetus to the search for structurally homogeneous lignin that can be easily applied in efficient and scalable technology for lignin-based reagents production [8]. The relatively new addition in lignin-based clean (biocompatible and non-toxic) products include nanomaterials and those used in biomedical applications [9][10][11]. As presented in Figure 1, a multi-fold rise in the number of patents registered in the Scopus database in the period of the last 20 years (2000-2019) can be seen.…”