The application of high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs)
in food,
medicine, and cosmetics has been greatly limited due to lack of anti-ultraviolet
and anti-oxidant structures. Herein, a series of rodlike TiO2/lignin nanoparticles were prepared by using TiO2 as a
hardcore and modified lignin as a coating and dispersion stabilizer.
SEM images show that samples have well dispersity and present a rodlike
morphology. However, the aspect ratio (AR) values of samples have
significant differences due to the presence of different contents
of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in lignin derivatives. Subsequently,
their emulsification was predicted by the spreading coefficient and
adsorption energy. The results show that the higher AR value of samples,
the lower dispersion coefficient and the higher adsorption energy,
indicating better emulsification activity. The emulsification test
suggests that 0.16 wt % TiO2/arginine-modified lignin with
highest AR value could stabilize HIPEs with 90 vol % oil phase volume
due to a strong bridging effect. Existing literature shows that the
dosage of nanoparticles in HIPEs is the lowest value of other biomass
emulsifiers, which shows good biocompatibility. Meanwhile, the oil
phase volume of HIPEs in this work is the highest value of other HIPEs
prepared with biomass-based particles, which means that these HIPEs
would have a higher load capacity for active substances and longer
shelf life due to the low water content. The antioxidant experiment
shows that TAML could completely clear the •OH, and the scavenging
efficiency is 17 times that of pure TiO2. The UV-protection
test indicates that the sun protection factor value of TAML reached
149.5, which is the highest value of other lignin-based sunscreen
particles. This work provides a method for the preparation of high-performance
and multifunctional emulsifiers, which expands the application of
lignin and enhances the application potential of HIPEs in medicine,
food, cosmetics, and other fields.