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Dos Santos FB, McMichael PS, Whitbeck A, Jalaee A, Gyenge E, Foster EJ. Proton Exchange Membranes from Sulfonated Lignin Nanocomposites for Redox Flow Battery Applications. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2309459. [PMID: 38519858 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202309459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are increasingly being considered for a wide range of energy storage applications, and such devices rely on proton exchange membranes (PEMs) to function. PEMs are high-cost, petroleum-derived polymers that often possess limited durability, variable electrochemical performance, and are linked to discharge of perfluorinated compounds. Alternative PEMs that utilize biobased materials, including lignin and sulfonated lignin (SL), low-cost byproducts of the wood pulping process, have struggled to balance electrochemical performance with dimensional stability. Herein, SL nanoparticles are demonstrated for use as a nature-derived, ion-conducting PEM material. SL nanoparticles (NanoSLs) can be synthesized for increased surface area, uniformity, and miscibility compared with macrosized lignin, improving proton conductivity. After addition of polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) as a structural backbone, membranes with the highest NanoSL concentration demonstrated an ion exchange capacity of 1.26 meq g-1, above that of the commercial PEM Nafion 112 (0.98 meq g-1), along with a conductivity of 80.4 mS cm-1 in situ, above that of many biocomposite PEMs, and a coulombic efficiency (CE), energy efficiency (EE) and voltage efficiency (VE) of 91%, 68% and 78%, respectively at 20 mA cm-2. These nanocomposite PEMs demonstrate the potential for valorization of forest biomass waste streams for high value clean energy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Brito Dos Santos
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Advanced Materials Group, The University of British Columbia, 2360 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Philip Spencer McMichael
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Advanced Materials Group, The University of British Columbia, 2360 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Alex Whitbeck
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia, 2360 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Adel Jalaee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Advanced Materials Group, The University of British Columbia, 2360 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Elod Gyenge
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of British Columbia, 2360 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - E Johan Foster
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Advanced Materials Group, The University of British Columbia, 2360 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
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Heo JW, An L, Kim MS, Youn DH, Kim YS. Preparation and characterization of zwitterion-substituted lignin/Nafion composite membranes. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127421. [PMID: 37838126 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a novel zwitterion-substituted lignin (ZL) containing amino and sulfonic acid groups was synthesized, and ZL/Nafion composite membranes were fabricated as proton exchange membranes. Kraft lignin was modified using an aminosilane and 1,3-propanesultone via a continuous grafting reaction to provide zwitterionic moieties. Chemical structural analyses confirmed the successful introduction of the zwitterion moiety into lignin. In particular, the surface charge of ZL is positive in an acidic medium and negative in a basic medium, suggesting that ZL is a zwitterionic material. ZL was incorporated into a Nafion membrane to enhance its ion exchange capacity, thermal stability, and hydrophilicity. The proton conductivity of ZL/Nafion 0.5 %, 151.0 mS/cm, was 55.3 % higher than that of unmodified ML (methanol-soluble lignin)/Nafion 0.5 % (97.2 mS/cm), indicating that the zwitterion moiety of ZL enhances the proton transport ability. In addition, oxidative stability evaluation confirmed that ZL/Nafion 2 % was chemically more durable than pure Nafion. This confirmed that using lignin as a membrane additive yielded positive results in terms of chemical durability and oxidation stability in Nafion. Therefore, ZL is expected to be utilized as a multifunctional additive and exhibits the potential for fuel cell applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Won Heo
- Department of Paper Science & Engineering, College of Forest and Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Liangliang An
- Faculty of Chemical and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Min Soo Kim
- Department of Paper Science & Engineering, College of Forest and Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Duck Hyun Youn
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Integrative Engineering for Hydrogen Safety, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yong Sik Kim
- Department of Paper Science & Engineering, College of Forest and Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea.
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Chinomso Iroegbu A, Ray SS. Lignin and Keratin-Based Materials in Transient Devices and Disposables: Recent Advances Toward Materials and Environmental Sustainability. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:10854-10863. [PMID: 35415330 PMCID: PMC8991899 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c07372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Rising concerns and the associated negative implications of pollution from e-waste and delayed decomposition and mineralization of component materials (e.g., plastics) are significant environmental challenges. Hence, concerted pursuit of accurate and efficient control of the life cycle of materials and subsequent dematerialization in target environments has become essential in recent times. The emerging field of transient technology will play a significant role in this regard to help overcome current environmental challenges by enabling the use of novel approaches and new materials with unique functionalities to produce devices and materials such as disposable diagnostic devices, flexible solar panels, and foldable displays that are more ecologically benign, low-cost, and sustainable. The prerequisites for materials employed in transient devices and disposables include biodegradability, biocompatibility, and the inherent ability to mineralize or dissipate in target environments (e.g., body fluids) in a short lifetime with net-zero impact. Biomaterials such as lignin and keratin are well-known to be among the most promising environmentally benign, functional, sustainable, and industrially applicable resources for transient devices and disposables. Consequently, considering the current environmental concerns, this work focuses on the advances in applying lignin and keratin-based materials in short-life electronics and single-use consumables, current limitations, future research outlook toward materials, and environmental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austine
Ofondu Chinomso Iroegbu
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre
for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, DSI-CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Council for Scientific
& Industrial Research, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Suprakas Sinha Ray
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre
for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, DSI-CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Council for Scientific
& Industrial Research, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- ,
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Recent advances in biological activities of lignin and emerging biomedical applications: A short review. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 208:819-832. [PMID: 35364209 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.03.182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As an abundant biopolymer, lignin gains interest owing to its renewable nature and polyphenolic structure. It possesses many biological activities such as antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, and biocompatibility. Studies are being carried out to relate the biological activities to the polyphenolic structures. These traits present lignin as a natural compound being used in biomedical field. Lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) are being investigated for safe use in drug and gene delivery, and lignin-based hydrogels are being explored as wound dressing materials, in tissue engineering and 3D printing. In addition, lignin and its derivatives have shown the potential to treat diabetic disease. This review summarizes latest research results on the biological activities of lignin and highlights potential applications exampled by selective studies. It helps to transform lignin from a waste material into valuable materials and products.
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