Insights into the Sustainable Development of Lignin‐Based Textiles for Functional Applications

Abstract

The modification of textiles by the incorporation of nanofillers to incorporate multifunctional properties is emerging as an active area of research. The use of lignin, a biowaste material in textiles to create properties like UV blocking, flame retardancy, antimicrobial properties, etc. paves the way toward creating sustainable textiles with an additional advantage of utilizing a biowaste into a value-added product. The futuristic tailoring of lignin chemistry through functionalization is an entrancing field of research. It incorporates the inherent properties of lignin with the extraneous characteristics of attached matrix polymers. Such modifications aid to enhance the miscibility of lignin with various polymeric matrices, which help to magnify the capabilities of lignin/polymer composites. The review throws light on how lignin can be explored to tailor the properties of textiles in an effective manner. The UV blocking efficiency, flame retardancy as well as antimicrobial properties imparted to textiles by the presence of lignin are discussed in detail. An outlook on the durability and comfort of lignin incorporated textiles is also discussed. An effort is also taken to compare lignin with other commonly used fillers in textile materials. All the available data on lignin-based textiles are consolidated in a comprehensive manner in this review.

Molecular Design of Lignin-Derived Side-Chain Phenolic Polymers toward Functional Radical Scavenging Materials with Antioxidant and Antistatic Properties

“…Still, no selectivity of the aliphatic hydroxyl group over the phenolic hydroxyl group for the esterification of DCA or other monolignols can be obtained. This is unfortunate as it is well established that the functionality of lignin, such as its UV-blocking, flame-retardance, antioxidant (AA), and antistatic properties, is at least in part dependent on the availability of free phenolic hydroxyl groups …”

A systematic study on the processes of lignin extraction and nanodispersion to control properties and functionality

“…7 The vast majority of it is treated as a low-value product and burned for energy, while only about 2% of lignin is used for high-value applications such as chemical precursors, fillers, antioxidants, adsorbents, emulsifiers, adhesives, and dispersants. 4,[8][9][10][11] Depending on the species of lignocellulose, lignin is a complex 3D-branched phenolic polymer made up of p-hydroxyphenyl (H), guaiacyl (G), and syringyl (S) moieties linked together via aromatic and aliphatic ether bonds as well as nonaromatic C-C linkages. 4,12 Lignin contains a variety of functional groups, including methoxyl, carboxyl, aliphatic hydroxyl, and phenolic hydroxyl groups.…”

“…3 Partially owing to its vast array of functional groups accessible for surface modification, lignin has found use as an alternative to fossil-fuel-based chemicals, as a composite dispersant, as a drug carrier, as a UV-blocker, as an antibacterial coating, and so on. 5,9 Technical lignin is classified based on the modification-extraction process and has at least 5 major types: lignosulfonate, organosolv, Kraft, soda, and enzymatic hydrolysis lignin. 9,13 Lignin can possess molecular masses in the range from 1000 to 20 000 g mol −1 , and it is a highly branched heteropolymer with no clearly defined chemical structure.…”

“…5,9 Technical lignin is classified based on the modification-extraction process and has at least 5 major types: lignosulfonate, organosolv, Kraft, soda, and enzymatic hydrolysis lignin. 9,13 Lignin can possess molecular masses in the range from 1000 to 20 000 g mol −1 , and it is a highly branched heteropolymer with no clearly defined chemical structure. 14 In lignin, chains composed of phenyl propane units are cross-linked to form an amorphous 3D sub-phase glued to cellulose fibrils via hemicellulose.…”

“…8,17 According to Raman et al, several methods have been researched to produce lignin nanoparticles such as water-in-oil micro-emulsion methods, sonication, CO 2 saturation, solvent exchange, flash-precipitation, as well as non-solvent precipitation methods. 9 LNPs tend to have a significant specific surface area, high dispersibility, and negative surface charge. Since lignin nanoparticles are readily dispersed in water, attractive blending properties within a host matrix are opened, as well as structural and morphological control of the lignin.…”