Lignin/PVA hydrogel with enhanced structural stability for cationic dye removal.

In this study, a lignin-based hydrogel for wastewater treatment was prepared by incorporating kraft lignin (KL) into a poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix. The underwater structural stability of the KL-PVA hydrogel was guaranteed through physicochemical crosslinking, involving freeze-thaw process and chemical crosslinking reaction. The KL-PVA hydrogel displayed superior compressive characteristics compared to the original PVA hydrogel.

Fabrication of transparent cellulose nanofibril composite film with smooth surface and ultraviolet blocking ability using hydrophilic lignin.

Ecofriendly multifunctional films with only biomass-based components have gathered significant interest from researchers as next-generation materials. Following this trend, a TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibril (TOCNF) film containing hydrophilic lignin (CL) was fabricated. To produce the lignin, peracetic acid oxidation was carried out, leading to the introduction of carboxyl groups into the lignin structure.

Biodegradable and hydrophobic nanofibrous membranes produced by solution blow spinning for efficient oil/water separation.

The development of nanofibrous oil-water separation materials is explosively progressing, but the remarkably low productivity is the main factor hindering their practical application. In this study, biodegradable polybutylene succinate (PBS) nanofibers with excellent productivity (27.0 g/h per nozzle) were successfully fabricated using the solution blow spinning (SBS) process, breaking away from the conventional electrospinning method.

Eco-friendly alkaline lignin/cellulose nanofiber drying system for efficient redispersion behavior.

Although nanocellulose is an eco-friendly, high-performance raw material provided by nature, the agglomeration of nanocellulose that occurs during the drying process is the biggest obstacle to its advanced materialization and commercialization. In this study, a facile and simple nanocellulose drying system was designed using lignin, which is self-assembled together with cellulose in natural wood, as an eco-friendly additive. The addition of lignin not only minimized aggregation during the drying and dehydration process of nanocellulose but also ensured excellent redispersion kinetics and stability.

Cationic surface-modified regenerated nanocellulose hydrogel for efficient Cr(VI) remediation.

Because nanocellulose has a large specific surface area and abundant hydroxyl functional groups due to its unique nanomorphology, interest increases as an eco-friendly water treatment material. However, the distinctive properties of nanocellulose, which exists in a dispersion state, strongly hamper its usage in practical water treatment processes. Additionally, nanocellulose shows low performance in removing anionic pollutants because of its anionic characteristics.

NIR-chemometric approaches for evaluating carbonization characteristics of hydrothermally carbonized lignin.

The aim of this study is to establish prediction models for the non-destructive evaluation of the carbonization characteristics of lignin-derived hydrochars as a carbon material in real time. Hydrochars are produced via the hydrothermal carbonization of kraft lignins for 1-5 h in the temperature range of 175-250 °C, and as the reaction severity of hydrothermal carbonization increases, the hydrochar is converted to a more carbon-intensive structure. Principal component analysis using near-infrared spectra suggests that the spectral regions at 2132 and 2267 nm assigned to lignins and 1449 nm assigned to phenolic groups of lignins are informative bands that indicate the carbonization degree.

Comparison of pyrolytic products produced from inorganic-rich and demineralized rice straw (Oryza sativa L.) by fluidized bed pyrolyzer for future biorefinery approach.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of inorganic constituents on the fast pyrolysis of the biomass and to determine the yields as well as physicochemical properties of pyrolytic products. The pyrolytic products were obtained from raw and demineralized rice straw using a fluidized bed type pyrolyzer at different temperatures. As pyrolysis temperature increased, total biooil yield gradually decreased from 46.

Organosolv pretreatment with various catalysts for enhancing enzymatic hydrolysis of pitch pine (Pinus rigida).

Three different types of catalysts were evaluated for organosolv pretreatment with pitch pine (Pinus rigida). Sulfuric acid, magnesium chloride, and sodium hydroxide for acid, neutral and base catalysts, respectively, were used, and ethanol was the organic solvent. The pretreatment process was conducted at different temperatures and times.