Unravelling the Hydration Barrier of Lignin Oleate Nanoparticles for Acid- and Base-Catalyzed Functionalization in Dispersion State

Esterified Lignin Nanoparticles for Targeted Chemical Delivery in Plant Protection

There is a growing demand for biobased functional materials that can ensure targeted pesticide delivery and minimize active ingredient loss in the agricultural sector. In this work, we demonstrated the use of esterified lignin nanoparticles (ELNPs) as carriers and controlled-release agents of hydrophobic compounds. Curcumin was selected as a hydrophobic model compound and was incorporated during ELNP fabrication with entrapment efficiencies exceeding 95%. ELNPs presented a sustained release of curcumin over 60 days in an oil medium, with a tunable release rate dependent on the lignin-to-curcumin mass ratio. The ELNPs showed a strong adhesion interaction with the hydrophobic wax surface. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis suggested that the ELNPs permeated into the wax layer, potentially preventing pesticide loss due to runoff or rainwater leaching. Rapidly decreasing contact angles between a droplet containing an aqueous dispersion of the ELNPs and a fresh leaf surface provided further evidence of a favorable interaction between the two. Overall, our results portray ELNPs as promising biobased nanoparticulate systems for pesticide delivery to hydrophobic plant surfaces.

Copper-coordinated nanomedicine for the concurrent treatment of lung cancer through the induction of cuproptosis and apoptosis

The resistance of tumor cells to apoptosis often leads to chemoresistance and treatment failure in clinic. In this study, we have developed a Cu2+-coordinated lignosulfonate (CLS) /doxorubicin (DOX) biological complex (referred to as LCD) with the aim of overcoming cellular resistance to apoptosis for combined lung cancer therapy. The copper complexes modified by CLS exhibit significant water solubility and excellent in vivo biocompatibility. The proportion of copper in the composite is simultaneously increased. Due to the coordination and π-π stacking effects, the self-assembled LCD exhibits nanometer-scale particle size, a narrow and homogeneous grain distribution, as well as excellent dispersion stability. Furthermore, LCD has the potential to disassemble in the presence of high levels of glutathione (GSH) and low pH, leading to effective drug release. Cu2+-mediated cuproptosis can lead to the down-regulation of FDX1 and DLAT protein expression by reducing mitochondrial membrane potential, resulting in non-apoptotic programmed cell death (PCD) regardless of cellular resistance to apoptosis. Moreover, the released DOX not only exhibits a preference for localizing in the cell nucleus to induce apoptosis for combined chemotherapy, but also generates a substantial amount of H2O2. This H2O2 further produces ROS to induce apoptosis through Fenton reaction with Cu2+. LCD demonstrates significant superiority over monotherapy in inhibiting tumor growth while minimizing systemic toxicity through the combined action of cuproptosis and apoptosis. This study may provide a potential avenue for the advancement of self-delivery nanomedicine to overcome resistance to apoptosis in tumor therapy.

Fully bio-based water-resistant wood coatings derived from tree bark

Surface protection is essential when using wood as a construction material. However, the industry lacks sustainable alternatives to replace the presently dominant fossil-based synthetic water-resistant coatings. Here, we show a fully bio-based wood surface protection system using components sourced from birch bark and spruce bark, inspired by the natural barrier function of bark in trees. The coating formulation contains suberinic acids and spruce bark polyphenols, resulting in a waterborne suspension that is safe and easy to apply to wood. The polyphenols play a dual role in the formulation as they stabilize the water-insoluble suberinic acids and serve as nanofillers in the thermally cured coating, enabling the adjustment of the mechanical properties of the resulting coating. When applied to spruce wood, the coating formulation with 10% polyphenol and 90% suberinic acids achieved a water absorption value of 100 g m-2 after 72 hours of water exposure, demonstrating superior performance compared to an alkyd emulsion coating. We conclude that instead of combusting tree bark, it can serve as a valuable resource for wood protection, closing the circle in the wood processing industry.

Long-lasting UV-blocking Mechanism of Lignin: Origin and Stabilization of Semiquinone Radicals

Semiquinone (SQ) radicals play a critical role in the long-lasting UV-blocking application of lignin, while their origin and stable structure are unclear. Here, the organosolv lignin extracted from poplar (OL-P) is self-assembled into normal micelles (LNM) with more phenolic hydroxyl groups on the surface, and reverse micelles (LRM) with more methoxyl groups on the surface. After 12 h UV irradiation, the SQ radical contents in LNM and LRM increase 33% and 78% respectively. The performance of LNM based sunscreen keeps upswinging due to radical stabilization of phenolic hydroxyl groups. LRM based sunscreen experiences a gradual decrease after reaching maximum UV absorbance due to the quick generation and over oxidation of SQ radicals. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations reveal that methoxyl groups in OL-P has bigger bond length and smaller bond dissociation enthalpy than phenolic hydroxyl groups, and are easy to form SQ radicals. The Gibbs free energy (ΔG) needed for SQ-quinone transformation is above 26.10 kcal mol.-1, while that for SQ-hydroquinone transformation is below -66.78 kcal mol.-1. Hydroquinone is the stable structure of SQ radicals. This work discloses the origin and stable structure of SQ radicals in lignin under UV irradiation, and provides an important guidance for its long-lasting UV-blocking application.

Preparation of Alkali-Resistant Lignin Nanospheres Loaded with Silver Nanoparticles and Their Applications Toward Antibiosis and Printing

Lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) loaded with silver nanoparticles have exhibited significant application potential in antibacterial and catalytic fields. However, the high solubility of LNPs in silver ammonia solution makes it difficult to achieve the reduction of Ag+ and the adsorption of silver nanoparticles. In this study, a protecting agent, terephthalic aldehyde (TA) is used to block lignin condensation and introduce aldehyde groups onto the lignin molecular backbone during lignin extraction. Furthermore, the TA stabilized lignin (TASL) is cross-linked with bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) to enhance its alkali resistance performance and subsequently prepared into alkali-resistance BADGE- TASL hybrid LNPs (BADGE- TASL hy-LNPs) by anti-solvent precipitation and self-assembly. Because the presence of a large number of aldehyde groups in TASL compensates for the loss of phenolic hydroxyl groups caused by crosslinking reactions, a high loading of silver nanoparticles of 54.00% is obtained after redox reaction and adsorption in silver ammonia solution. When the BADGE-TASL hy-LNPs@Ag is used as an antibacterial agent, its inhibition efficiency reached ≈99%. Besides, the BADGE-TASL hy-LNPs@Ag can serve as a printing material for the preparation of conductive printing ink. Therefore, this study provides a strategy for lignin functionalization and application in printed electronics and antimicrobial fields.

Lignin self-assembly phenomena and valorization strategies for pulping, biorefining, and materials development: Part 1. The physical chemistry of lignin self-assembly

Physical chemistry aspects are emphasized in this comprehensive review of self-assembly phenomena involving lignin in various forms. Attention to this topic is justified by the very high availability, low cost, and renewable nature of lignin, together with opportunities to manufacture diverse products, for instance, polymers/resins, bioplastics, carbon fibers, bio-asphalt, sunscreen components, hydrophobic layers, and microcapsules. The colloidal lignin material, nanoparticles, and microstructures that can be formed as a result of changes in solvent properties, pH, or other adjustments to a suspending medium have been shown to depend on many factors. Such factors are examined in this work based on the concepts of self-assembly, which can be defined as an organizing principle dependent on specific attributes of the starting entities themselves. As a means to promote such concepts and to facilitate further development of nano-scale lignin products, this article draws upon evidence from a wide range of studies. These include investigations of many different plant sources of lignin, processes of delignification, solvent systems, anti-solvent systems or other means of achieving phase separation, and diverse means of achieving colloidal stability (if desired) of resulting self-assembled lignin structures. Knowledge of the self-organization behavior of lignin can provide significant structural information to optimize the use of lignin in value-added applications. Examples include chemical conditions and preparation procedures in which lignin-related compounds of particles organize themselves as spheres, hollow spheres, surface-bound layers, and a variety of other structures. Published articles show that such processes can be influenced by the selection of lignin type, pulping or extraction processes, functional groups such as phenolic, carboxyl, and sulfonate, chemical derivatization reactions, solvent applications, aqueous conditions, and physical processes, such as agitation. Precipitation from non-aqueous solutions represents a key focus of lignin self-assembly research. The review also considers stabilization mechanisms of self-assembled lignin-related structures.

Overcoming Challenges of Lignin Nanoparticles: Expanding Opportunities for Scalable and Multifunctional Nanomaterials

ConspectusThe increasing demand for polymeric materials derived from petroleum resources, along with rising concerns about climate change and global plastic pollution, has driven the development of biobased polymeric materials. Lignin, which is the second most abundant biomacromolecule after cellulose, represents a promising renewable raw material source for the preparation of advanced materials. The lucrative properties of lignin include its high carbon content (>60 atom %), high thermal stability, biodegradability, antioxidant activity, absorbance of ultraviolet radiation, and slower biodegradability compared to other wood components. Moreover, the advent of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) over the last ten years has circumvented many well-known shortcomings of technical lignins, such as heterogeneity and poor compatibility with polymers, thereby unlocking the great potential of lignin for the development of advanced functional materials.LNPs stand out owing to their well-defined spherical shape and excellent colloidal stability, which is due to the electrostatic repulsion forces of carboxylic acid and phenolic hydroxyl groups enriched on their surface. These forces prevent their aggregation in aqueous dispersions (pH 3-9) and provide a high surface area to mass ratio that has been exploited to adsorb positively charged compounds such as enzymes or polymers. Consequently, it is not surprising that LNPs have become a prominent player in applied research in areas such as biocatalysis and polymeric composites, among others. However, like all ventures of life, LNPs also face certain challenges that limit their potential end-uses. Solvent instability remains the most challenging aspect due to the tendency of these particles to dissolve or aggregate in organic solvents and basic or acidic pH, thus limiting the window for their chemical functionalization and applications. In addition, the need for organic solvent during their preparation, the poor miscibility with hydrophobic polymeric matrices, and the nascent phase regarding their use in smart materials have been identified as important challenges that need to be addressed.In this Account, we recapitulate our efforts over the past years to overcome the main limitations mentioned above. We begin with a brief introduction to the fundamentals of LNPs and a detailed discussion of their associated challenges. We then highlight our work on: (i) Preparation of lignin-based nanocomposites with improved properties through a controlled dispersion of LNPs within a hydrophobic polymeric matrix, (ii) Stabilization of LNPs via covalent (intraparticle cross-linking) and noncovalent (hydration barrier) approaches, (iii) The development of an organic-solvent-free method for the production of LNPs, and (iv) The development of LNPs toward smart materials with high lignin content. Finally, we also offer our perspectives on this rapidly growing field.

Humic Acid-Functionalized Lignin-Based Coatings Regulate Nutrient Release and Promote Wheat Productivity and Grain Quality

The rational application of fertilizers is crucial for achieving high crop yields and ensuring global food security. The use of biopolymers for slow-release fertilizers (SRFs) development has emerged as a game-changer and environmentally sustainable pathway to enhance crop yields by optimizing plant growth phases. Herein, with a renewed focus on circular bioeconomy, a novel functionalized lignin-based coating material (FLGe) was developed for the sustained release of nutrients. This innovative approach involved the extraction and sustainable functionalization of lignin through a solvent-free esterification reaction with humic acid─an organic compound widely recognized for its biostimulant properties in agriculture. The primary objective was to fortify the hydration barrier of lignin by reducing the number of its free hydroxyl groups, thereby enhancing release control, while simultaneously harnessing the agronomic benefits offered by humic acid. After confirming the synthesis of functionalized lignin (FLGe) through 13C NMR analysis, it was integrated at varying proportions into either a cellulosic or starch matrix. This resulted in the creation of five distinct formulations, which were then utilized as coatings for diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer. Experimental findings revealed an improved morphology and hardness (almost 3-fold) of DAP fertilizer granules after coating along with a positive impact on the soil's water retention capacity (7%). Nutrient leaching in soil was monitored for 100 days and a substantial reduction of nutrients leaching up to 80% was successfully achieved using coated DAP fertilizer. Furthermore, to get a fuller picture of their efficiency, a pot trial was performed using two different soil textures and demonstrated that the application of FLGe-based SRFs significantly enhanced the physiological and agronomic parameters of wheat, including leaf evolution and root architecture, resulting in an almost 50% increase in grain yield and improved quality. The results proved the potential of lignin functionalization to advance agricultural sustainability and foster a robust bioeconomy aligning with the premise "from the soil to the soil".

Fabrication modulation of lignin-derived carbon nanosphere supported Pd nanoparticle via lignin fractionation for improved catalytic performance in vanillin hydrodeoxygenation

Nano-lignin presents great potential in advanced carbon materials preparation since it integrates the advantages of nanomaterials as well the preferable properties of lignin (e.g. high carbon content and highly aromatic structure). Herein, lignin-derived carbon nanosphere supported Pd catalysts (Pd@LCNS) were prepared via a two-step carbonization of Pd2+ adsorbed lignin nanospheres (LNS) and applied in vanillin hydrodeoxygenation. The effect lignin heterogeneity on the synthesis of Pd@LCNS as well as its catalytic performance was further investigated through the synthesis of Pd@LCNS using three lignin fractions with different molecular weight. The results showed that the three Pd@LCNSs exhibited significant differences in the morphology of both carbon support and Pd nanoparticles. Pd@LCNS-3 prepared from high molecular weight lignin fraction (L-3) presented stable carbon nanosphere support with the smallest particle size (∼150 nm) and the highest Pd loading amount (3.78 %) with the smallest Pd NPs size (∼1.6 nm). Therefore, Pd@LCNS-3 displayed superior catalytic activity for vanillin hydrodeoxygenation (99.34 % of vanillin conversion and 99.47 % of 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol selectivity) at 90 °C without H2. Consequently, this work provides a sustainable strategy to prepare uniformly dispersed lignin-based carbon-supported Pd catalyst using high molecular weight lignin as the feedstock and further demonstrate its superior applicability in the selective transfer hydrogenation of vanillin.

Mechanically recyclable melt-spun fibers from lignin esters and iron oxide nanoparticles: towards circular lignin materials

The inferior thermoplastic properties have limited production of melt-spun fibers from lignin. Here we report on the controlled esterification of softwood kraft lignin (SKL) to enable scalable, solvent-free melt spinning of microfibers using a cotton candy machine. We found that it is crucial to control the esterification process as melt-spun fibers could be produced from lignin oleate and lignin stearate precursors with degrees of esterification (DE) ranging from 20-50%, but not outside this range. To fabricate a functional hybrid material, we incorporated magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) into the lignin oleate fibers by melt blending and subsequent melt spinning. Thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction studies revealed that increasing the weight fraction of MNPs led to improved thermal stability of the fibers. Finally, we demonstrated adsorption of organic dyes, magnetic recovery, and recycling via melt spinning of the regular and magnetic fibers with 95% and 83% retention of the respective adsorption capacities over three adsorption cycles. The mechanical recyclability of the microfibers represents a new paradigm in lignin-based circular materials.

Urushi as a Green Component for Thermally Curable Colloidal Lignin Particles and Hydrophobic Coatings

Colloidal lignin nanoparticles are promising building blocks for sustainable functional materials. However, their instability in organic solvents and aqueous alkali limits their applicability. Current stabilization methods require nonrenewable and toxic reagents or tedious workup procedures. Here we show a method to prepare hybrid nanoparticles using only natural components. Urushi, a form of black oriental lacquer, and lignin are coaggregated to form hybrid particles, with Urushi acting as a sustainable component that stabilizes the particles via hydration barrier effect and thermally triggered internal cross-linking. The weight fractions of the two components can be adjusted to achieve the desired level of stabilization. Hybrid particles with Urushi content >25 wt % undergo interparticle cross-linking that produces multifunctional hydrophobic protective coatings that improve the water resistance of wood. This approach provides a sustainable and efficient method for stabilizing lignin nanoparticles and opens up neoteric possibilities for the development of lignin-based advanced functional materials.

MoS2 nanoflower-decorated lignin nanoparticles for superior lubricant properties

Lignin has been, for a long time, treated as a low-value waste product. To change this scenario, high-value applications have been recently pursued, e.g., the preparation of hybrid materials with inorganic components. Although hybrid inorganic-based materials can benefit from the reactive lignin phenolic groups at the interface, often responsible for optimizing specific properties, this is still an underexplored field. Here, we present a novel and green material based on the combination of hydroxymethylated lignin nanoparticles (HLNPs) with molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanoflowers grown via a hydrothermal route. By bringing together the lubricant performance of MoS₂ and the structural stability of biomass-based nanoparticles, a MoS₂-HLNPs hybrid is presented as a bio-derived additive for superior tribological performances. While FT-IR analysis confirmed the structural stability of lignin after the hydrothermal growth of MoS₂, TEM and SEM micrographs revealed a homogeneous distribution of MoS₂ nanoflowers (average size of 400 nm) on the HLNPs (average size of 100 nm). Regarding the tribological tests, considering a pure oil as reference, only HLNPs as bio-derived additives led to a reduction in the wear volume of 18%. However, the hybrid of MoS₂-HLNPs led to a considerably higher reduction (71%), pointing out its superior performance. These results open a new window of opportunity for a versatile and yet underexplored field that can pave the way for a new class of biobased lubricants.

Lignin decolorization in organic solvents and their application in natural sunscreen

In order to improve the utilization of industrial lignin as an effective component for ultraviolet (UV) shielding, organic solvent (methanol, ethanol, and acetone) fractionation was applied to improve its UV absorption performance and reduce its apparent color. Physicochemical properties of lignin and lignin-based sunscreens, such as molar mass fraction, functional group content, color change and UV shielding properties, were characterized in detail by GPC, UV spectroscopy, ³¹P NMR and HSQC-NMR spectroscopy. The results showed that the color and UV-shielding properties of the soluble fraction were significantly superior to those of the original and insoluble fractions. Different lignin fractions were acted as the only active substance in the pure cream and its UV-shielding properties were compared. Among them, the composite sunscreen by adding 5 wt% acetone fractionated lignin had highest sun protection factor (SPF) value of 6.6, approximately 4.5 times higher than those sunscreens mixed with pristine lignin. Overall, this work offers the potential of industrial lignin in value-added applications such as UV protection and cosmetics.

Breathable Lignin Nanoparticles as Reversible Gas Swellable Nanoreactors

The design of stimuli-responsive lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) for advanced applications has hitherto been limited to the preparation of lignin-grafted polymers in which usually the lignin content is low (<25 wt.%) and its role is debatable. Here, the preparation of O₂ -responsive LNPs exceeding 75 wt.% in lignin content is shown. Softwood Kraft lignin (SKL) is coprecipitated with a modified SKL fluorinated oleic acid ester (SKL-OlF) to form colloidal stable hybrid LNPs (hy-LNPs). The hy-LNPs with a SKL-OlF content ranging from 10 to 50 wt.% demonstrated a reversible swelling behavior upon O₂ /N₂ bubbling, increasing their size - ≈35% by volume - and changing their morphology from spherical to core-shell. Exposition of hy-LNPs to O₂ bubbling promotes a polarity change on lignin-fluorinated oleic chains, and consequently their migration from the inner part to the surface of the particle, which not only increases the particle size but also endows hy-LNPs with enhanced stability under harsh conditions (pH < 2.5) by the hydration barrier effect. Furthermore, it is also demonstrated that these new stimuli-responsive particles as gas tunable nanoreactors for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Combining a straightforward preparation with their enhanced stability and responsiveness to O₂ gas these new LNPs pave the way for the next generation of smart lignin-based nanomaterials.

Bioresource Upgrade for Sustainable Energy, Environment, and Biomedicine

We conceptualize bioresource upgrade for sustainable energy, environment, and biomedicine with a focus on circular economy, sustainability, and carbon neutrality using high availability and low utilization biomass (HALUB). We acme energy-efficient technologies for sustainable energy and material recovery and applications. The technologies of thermochemical conversion (TC), biochemical conversion (BC), electrochemical conversion (EC), and photochemical conversion (PTC) are summarized for HALUB. Microalgal biomass could contribute to a biofuel HHV of 35.72 MJ Kg-1 and total benefit of 749 $/ton biomass via TC. Specific surface area of biochar reached 3000 m2 g-1 via pyrolytic carbonization of waste bean dregs. Lignocellulosic biomass can be effectively converted into bio-stimulants and biofertilizers via BC with a high conversion efficiency of more than 90%. Besides, lignocellulosic biomass can contribute to a current density of 672 mA m-2 via EC. Bioresource can be 100% selectively synthesized via electrocatalysis through EC and PTC. Machine learning, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle analysis are essential to various upgrading approaches of HALUB. Sustainable biomaterials, sustainable living materials and technologies for biomedical and multifunctional applications like nano-catalysis, microfluidic and micro/nanomotors beyond are also highlighted. New techniques and systems for the complete conversion and utilization of HALUB for new energy and materials are further discussed.

Pickering Emulsions Stabilized by Lignin/Chitosan Nanoparticles for Biphasic Enzyme Catalysis

In this study, we construct a green and high-performance platform using Pickering emulsions for biphasic catalysis. The oil-in-water Pickering emulsions stabilized by the lignin/chitosan nanoparticles (Lig/Chi NPs) have great stability and alkali resistance, showing pH-responsive reversible emulsification and demulsification which can be recycled at least three times. The Pickering emulsion also has fluorescence and wide availability to different oil-to-water volume ratios, types of oil, storage times, temperatures, and ion concentrations. When this system is applied to the lipase-catalyzed reaction for the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenol palmitate, it will provide stable and large oil-water reaction interface areas, and the negatively charged lipase will enrich at the emulsion interface by electrostatic adsorption of the positively charged Lig/Chi NPs to achieve immobilization (lipase-Lig/Chi NPs). The reaction conversion rate can reach nearly 100% in 30 min, which is nearly three times higher than that of the conventional two-phase system. Moreover, the lipases in Pickering emulsion stabilized by Lig/Chi NPs exhibit great recyclability because of the protection of Lig/Chi NPs.

Stabilized Lignin Nanoparticles for Versatile Hybrid and Functional Nanomaterials

Spherical lignin nanoparticles are emerging biobased nanomaterials, but instability and dissolution in organic solvents and aqueous alkali restrict their applicability. Here, we report the synthesis of hydroxymethylated lignin nanoparticles and their hydrothermal curing to stabilize the particles by internal cross-linking reactions. These colloidally stable particles contain a high biobased content of 97% with a tunable particle size distribution and structural stability in aqueous media (pH 3 to 12) and organic solvents such as acetone, ethanol, dimethylformamide, and tetrahydrofuran. We demonstrate that the free phenolic hydroxyl groups that are preserved in the cured particles function as efficient reducing sites for silver ions, giving rise to hybrid lignin-silver nanoparticles that can be used for quick and facile sensing of hydrogen peroxide. The stabilized lignin particles can also be directly modified using base-catalyzed reactions such as the ring-opening of cationic epoxides that render the particles with pH-dependent agglomeration and redispersion properties. Combining scalable synthesis, solvent stability, and reusability, this new class of lignin nanoparticles shows potential for its use in circular biobased nanomaterials.

Electrochemical Depolymerization of Lignin in a Biomass-based Solvent

Breaking down lignin into smaller units is the key to generate high value-added products. Nevertheless, dissolving this complex plant polyphenol in an environment-friendly way is often a challenge. Levulinic acid, which is formed during the hydrothermal processing of lignocellulosic biomass, has been shown to efficiently dissolve lignin. Herein, levulinic acid was evaluated as a medium for the reductive electrochemical depolymerization of the lignin macromolecule. Copper was chosen as the electrocatalyst due to the economic feasibility and low activity towards the hydrogen evolution reaction. After depolymerization, high-resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed lignin-derived monomers and dimers. A predominance of aryl ether and phenolic groups was observed. Depolymerized lignin was further evaluated as an anti-corrosion coating, revealing enhancements on the electrochemical stability of the metal. Via a simple depolymerization process of biomass waste in a biomass-based solvent, a straightforward approach to produce high value-added compounds or tailored biobased materials was demonstrated.

Hydrothermal method-assisted synthesis of self-crosslinked all-lignin-based hydrogels

Lignin, as the most abundant aromatic biopolymer, is being widely studied to replace phenol and some other petroleum-based materials in the polymer industry. However, the low substitution of lignin and high levels of additives greatly limited the applications of lignin-based materials. Herein, we first propose a simple but effective hydrothermal method assisted synthesis for the fabrication of self-crosslinked lignin-based hydrogels (Lig-Scgel) with super-high-contents (75 wt%) of lignin and controllable mechanical properties. The self-crosslink mechanism was inspired by the repolymerization of lignins under a hydrothermal environment. The employment of self-condensation of lignin subunits in the synthesis of Lig-Scgel can significantly improve the degree of crosslinking, thereby greatly reducing the addition of toxic crosslinkers. The appearances, microstructures, crosslink densities, and mechanical properties of Lig-Scgels can be well controlled by simply altering the hydrothermal temperatures. This strategy not only promotes green and large-scale applications of lignin but also provides insights in the development of environment-friendly polymeric materials.

A Rapid and Reversible pH Control Process for the Formation and Dissociation of Lignin Nanoparticles

As a new and green type of nanomaterials, lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) have been considered as high-value renewable materials for application in many fields. However, the industrialization of LNPs faces many challenges, such as high manufacturing costs and small-scale production. Here, a simple but rapid and reversible approach for the fabrication of LNPs was provided via switching pH environments. The LNPs were regularly shaped in the acetonitrile/water system, and their size appeared to be very homogeneous. The alternation of forming and dissolving of LNPs could be repeated many times simply by alternately adding acid and alkaline solutions. There was little difference in the molecular structures between the original and regenerated LNPs. In addition, the consumption of solvents for LNPs production was only 200 mL g^-1 , reduced by more than 10 times compared with conventional solvent exchange methods. The concentration of LNPs in the solution also improved to 5.0 g L^-1 . This study not only provides a new, simple, and effective strategy for the fabrication of LNPs but also paves the way towards their real green production and application.

Fully Biobased Photothermal Films and Coatings for Indoor Ultraviolet Radiation and Heat Management

Sustainable materials are needed to mitigate against the increase in energy consumption resulting from population growth and urbanization. Here, we report fully biobased nanocomposite films and coatings that display efficient photothermal activity and selective absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The nanocomposites with 20 wt % of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) embedded in a chitosan matrix displayed an efficient UV blocking of 97% at 400 nm along with solar energy-harvesting properties. The reflectance spectra of the nanocomposite films revealed the importance of well-dispersed nanoparticles in the matrix to achieve efficient UV-blocking properties. Finally, yet importantly, we demonstrate the nanocomposites with 20 wt % LNPs as photothermal glass coatings for passive cooling of indoor temperature by simply tailoring the coating thickness. Under simulated solar irradiation of 100 mW/cm2, the 20 μm coating achieved a 58% decrease in the temperature increment in comparison to the system with uncoated glass. These renewable nanocomposite films and coatings are highly promising sustainable solutions to facilitate indoor thermal management and improve human health and well-being.

High-Molecular-Weight Fractions of Spruce and Eucalyptus Lignin as a Perspective Nanoparticle-Based Platform for a Therapy Delivery in Liver Cancer

The natural polymer, lignin, possesses unique biodegradable and biocompatible properties, making it highly attractive for the generation of nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy. In this study, we investigated spruce and eucalyptus lignin nanoparticles (designated as S-and E-LNPs, respectively). Both LNP types were generated from high-molecular-weight (M_w) kraft lignin obtained as insoluble residues after a five-step solvent fractionation approach, which included ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol, and acetone. The resulting S-and E-LNPs ranged in size from 16 to 60 nm with uniform spherical shape regardless of the type of lignin. The preparation of LNPs from an acetone-insoluble lignin fraction is attractive because of the use of high-M_w lignin that is otherwise not suitable for most polymeric applications, its potential scalability, and the consistent size of the LNPs, which was independent of increased lignin concentrations. Due to the potential of LNPs to serve as delivery platforms in liver cancer treatment, we tested, for the first time, the efficacy of newly generated E-LNPs and S-LNPs in two types of primary liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), in vitro. Both S-LNPs and E-LNPs inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells in a dose-dependent manner and did not affect CCA cell line growth. The inhibitory effect toward HCC was more pronounced in the E-LNP-treated group and was comparable to the standard therapy, sorafenib. Also, E-LNPs induced late apoptosis and necroptosis while inhibiting the HCC cell line. This study demonstrated that an elevated number of carbohydrates on the surface of the LNPs, as shown by NMR, seem to play an important role in mediating the interaction between LNPs and eukaryotic cells. The latter effect was most pronounced in E-LNPs. The novel S- and E-LNPs generated in this work are promising materials for biomedicine with advantageous properties such as small particle size and tailored surface functionality, making them an attractive and potentially biodegradable delivery tool for combination therapy in liver cancer, which still has to be verified in vivo using HCC and CCA models.

Catalyst-Free Synthesis of Lignin Vitrimers with Tunable Mechanical Properties: Circular Polymers and Recoverable Adhesives

Biobased circular materials are alternatives to fossil-based engineering plastics, but simple and material-efficient synthetic routes are needed for industrial scalability. Here, a series of lignin-based vitrimers built on dynamic acetal covalent networks with a gel content exceeding 95% were successfully prepared in a one-pot, thermally activated, and catalyst-free "click" addition of softwood kraft lignin (SKL) to poly(ethylene glycol) divinyl ether (PDV). The variation of the content of lignin from 28 to 50 wt % was used to demonstrate that the mechanical properties of the vitrimers can be widely tuned in a facile way. The lowest lignin content (28 wt %) showed a tensile strength of 3.3 MPa with 35% elongation at break, while the corresponding values were 50.9 MPa and 1.0% for the vitrimer containing 50 wt % of lignin. These lignin-based vitrimers also exhibited excellent performance as recoverable adhesives for different substrates such as aluminum and wood, with a lap shear test strength of 6.0 and 2.6 MPa, respectively. In addition, recyclability of the vitrimer adhesives showed preservation of the adhesion performance exceeding 90%, indicating a promising potential for their use in sustainable circular materials.

Multifunctional lignin-based nanocomposites and nanohybrids

Significant progress in lignins valorization and development of high-performance sustainable materials have been achieved in recent years. Reports related to lignin utilization indicate excellent prospects considering green chemistry, chemical engineering, energy, materials and polymer science, physical chemistry, biochemistry, among others. To fully realize such potential, one of the most promising routes involves lignin uses in nanocomposites and nanohybrid assemblies, where synergistic interactions are highly beneficial. This review first discusses the interfacial assembly of lignins with polysaccharides, proteins and other biopolymers, for instance, in the synthesis of nanocomposites. To give a wide perspective, we consider the subject of hybridization with metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, as well as uses as precursor of carbon materials and the assembly with other biobased nanoparticles, for instance to form nanohybrids. We provide cues to understand the fundamental aspects related to lignins, their self-assembly and supramolecular organization, all of which are critical in nanocomposites and nanohybrids. We highlight the possibilities of lignin in the fields of flame retardancy, food packaging, plant protection, electroactive materials, energy storage and health sciences. The most recent outcomes are evaluated given the importance of lignin extraction, within established and emerging biorefineries. We consider the benefit of lignin compared to synthetic counterparts. Bridging the gap between fundamental and application-driven research, this account offers critical insights as far as the potential of lignin as one of the frontrunners in the uptake of bioeconomy concepts and its application in value-added products.

Unravelling the Hydration Barrier of Lignin Oleate Nanoparticles for Acid- and Base-Catalyzed Functionalization in Dispersion State

Lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) are promising renewable nanomaterials with applications ranging from biomedicine to water purification. However, the instability of LNPs under acidic and basic conditions severely limits their functionalization for improved performance. Here, we show that controlling the degree of esterification can significantly improve the stability of lignin oleate nanoparticles (OLNPs) in acidic and basic aqueous dispersions. The high stability of OLNPs is attributed to the alkyl chains accumulated in the shell of the particle, which delays protonation/deprotonation of carboxylic acid and phenolic hydroxyl groups. Owing to the enhanced stability, acid‐ and base‐catalyzed functionalization of OLNPs at pH 2.0 and pH 12.0 via oxirane ring‐opening reactions were successfully performed. We also demonstrated these new functionalized particles as efficient pH‐switchable dye adsorbents and anticorrosive particulate coatings.