Lignin nanoparticles modified with tall oil fatty acid for cellulose functionalization

Abstract

In this study, tall oil fatty acid ester of softwood kraft lignin (TOFA-L) was used to prepare TOFA lignin nanoparticles (TLNP) in water. The average diameters for two prepared TLNPs in 0.1 mg/ ml concentration were 140 nm and 160 nm. TLNPs were attached covalently onto modified and unmodified cellulose fibres to form an antimicrobial composite material. The modified cellulose fibres contained reactive allylic double bonds with a degree of substitution of 0.05. The antimicrobial properties of both TLNPs and TLNP coated fibres (TLNP-C) were studied against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using silver nanospheres (average size 10 nm) and Lignoboost lignin particles with 300 and 400 nm sizes as references. Antimicrobial activity of the samples was stronger against Gram-positive S. aureus cells than against Gram-negative target microbes E. coli and P. aeruginosa.

Spherical lignin particles: a review on their sustainability and applications

“…Setälä et al prepared LNPs from tall oil fatty acid ester of kraft lignin and bound these to cellulose fibers achieving composites with antimicrobial properties. 157 UV shielding, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties gained by the use of mostly nano but also submicron lignin particles argue for their use in composite materials, especially for packaging applications. However, the enhanced mechanical performance reported justifies the use of purely spherical particles instead of their irregular counterpart.…”

Multifunctional lignin-based nanocomposites and nanohybrids

“…7m and n). Chemical cross-linking is a common approach to prepare hydrogels, 147 which represent another type of celluloselignin composite, [148][149][150] in contrast to the composite films and membranes presented above (fabricated using noncovalent methods). Hydrogels are often cross-linked and dewatered to give rise to aerogels that preserve the porous morphology of the original hydrogel.…”

Peer Review #2 of "An overview of biomass conversion: exploring new opportunities (v0.2)"

“…Lignin is deposited in the molecular size cavities of the cell wall of cellulose and hemicellulose, increasing the mechanical resistance of the cell wall (Setälä et al, 2020). Lignin found in different wood species or in plant parts have different structure, but there are structural similarities: the aromatic rings are often linked by a methoxy group or a phenolic hydroxyl group .…”