Fabrication and Characterization of Lignin Particles and Their Ultraviolet Protection Ability in PVA Composite Film

Abstract

Recently, lignin utilization in advanced applications has gained much interest. Due to the limitation of the current use of standard lignin, lignin particles have recently gained attention in overcoming the challenge. In this work, the spherical lignin particles obtained from organosolv lignin (OL) were prepared using the dialysis method with tetrahydrofuran (THF) or ethanol as the solvent. From the result, it was found that the types of lignin and solvent, initial lignin concentration, and stirring rate strongly affected the size of fabricated particles. Moreover, the preparation of lignin particles using THF as a solvent showed more uniform and symmetric spherical lignin particles. The stability of the particle dispersion was examined under various pH conditions. Moreover, lignin samples were also introduced into the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) for the production of ultraviolet (UV)-blocking composite film. Mechanical and optical properties of composite film were also observed. As a result, the prepared lignin–PVA composite film showed great ultraviolet (UV) protective potential in both UVA and UVB regions.

Liquefaction of Lignin Using Chemical Decomposition and Its Application to Polyurethane Foam

“…To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the smallest particle size of wood-derived LN and is >3 times smaller than the particle size of LN (1000 nm at 0.01 g·mL –1 ) obtained from sugarcane. 18 − 22 In the case of K-LN, the particle size could not be measured using DLS because it is water insoluble.…”

Antioxidant and UV-Blocking Properties of a Carboxymethyl Cellulose–Lignin Composite Film Produced from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch

“… 70 Similarly, effective UV-B blocking was found when lignin was added at a higher concentration (3 wt %) into the PVA film, whereas UV-A transmittance was still not totally barred. 71 Furthermore, Parit et al reported that complete UV-A and UV-B blocking was obtained in the cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)/lignin film at a 10 wt % softwood kraft lignin loading. 72 A lower lignin addition to bar all UV transmittance was reported by Zhang et al when applying 5 wt %, equal to 0.25% (w/v), lignin nanomicelle (LNM) incorporation into a PVA/LNM composite film.…”

Access to tough and transparent nanocomposites via Pickering emulsion polymerization using biocatalytic hybrid lignin nanoparticles as functional surfactants

“…Nano-and microscale lignin particles have gained a great deal of interest in the preparation of lignin-based polymeric materials, due to their spherical shape and colloidal stability in comparison to raw lignins. 35,36,37,38 For instance, colloidal lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) can remain flowable at high concentrations (50 wt % or more) and act as reinforcing agents to improve the UV shielding and antioxidant properties in hydrophilic polymeric matrices such as CNF, 39,40 poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), 41,41,43 chitosan 44 or polylactic acid (PLA). 45 Besides the possibility to be used as reinforcing agent, LNPs are also finding new applications as carriers for biologically active substances such as drugs, pesticides or enzymes.…”