We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Hydrogen-bonded lignin-acrylic copolymer/WPU composites with Integrated UV shielding, antioxidancy and degradability
Summary
Researchers synthesized a lignin-acrylic copolymer from rice straw waste and blended it with waterborne polyurethane to create a composite film with 43% higher tensile strength, near-total UV blocking, and dramatically improved antioxidant capacity, offering a biodegradable, microplastic-reducing alternative to conventional plastic films.
To address the poor degradability and stability of traditional polyurethanes, and the low dispersibility hindering high-value use of industrial lignin, in this study, lignin extracted from rice straw and acrylic acid (AA) were employed as raw materials to synthesize a lignin-acrylic acid copolymer (LAC) with a high lignin content and a disordered network structure via a hydrothermal crosslinking reaction using potassium persulfate (KPS) as the initiator under alkaline conditions. Through physical blending with waterborne polyurethane (WPU), LAC/WPU composite films (LACW) were fabricated, establishing an interpenetrating hydrogen-bonded network. This structure confers multifunctional enhancements: for the representative 40 % LACW composite, this structure confers multifunctional enhancements: the tensile strength increases by ~43 % (0.47 → 0.67 MPa) versus pure WPU, the radical scavenging capacity shows a dramatic increase of over 350 % (16 % → 74 %, DPPH assay), and it offers near-total UV shielding (>99 % blocking efficiency across 280-400 nm). By converting agricultural waste into high-performance additives, this work establishes a scalable paradigm for lignin valorization, simultaneously mitigating microplastic pollution and advancing circular materials design with demonstrable economic and ecological benefits.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Nanocellulose Hybrid Lignin Complex Reinforces Cellulose to Form a Strong, Water-Stable Lignin–Cellulose Composite Usable as a Plastic Replacement
This study developed a strong, water-stable composite material made from cellulose and lignin extracted from agricultural waste (sugarcane bagasse), as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic. The lignin-cellulose composite showed dramatically improved wet strength compared to regular cellulose sheets, demonstrating potential as a biodegradable plastic replacement that would not generate persistent microplastic pollution.
Biodegradable, Flexible and Ultraviolet Blocking Nanocellulose Composite Film Incorporated with Lignin Nanoparticles
Composite films combining cellulose nanofibrils with lignin nanoparticles from two isolation methods were fabricated, producing biodegradable, flexible materials with strong UV-blocking performance suitable as plastic film replacements. The lignin-CNF composites achieved UV absorbance through the natural chromophore properties of lignin without requiring synthetic UV additives.
Constructing robust and antioxidant polyurethane–lignin coatings with biodegradable properties for grass press paper films
This study developed polyurethane coatings incorporating lignin to create robust, antioxidant surface treatments with biodegradable characteristics, testing mechanical durability and antioxidant performance. The lignin-modified coatings showed improved oxidative stability while maintaining protective properties.
3D-Printed Polylactic Acid/Lignin Films with Great Mechanical Properties and Tunable Functionalities towards Superior UV-Shielding, Haze, and Antioxidant Properties
Researchers incorporated lignin into polylactic acid (PLA) to create 3D-printable composite filaments, finding that lignin addition improved mechanical properties and enabled tunable functionalities in the resulting films, expanding options for sustainable additive manufacturing materials.
Conversion of Cellulose and Lignin Residues into Transparent UV-Blocking Composite Films
Researchers developed UV-blocking composite films by chemically converting cellulose and lignin residues from three biomass sources (aspen wood, poplar wood, and corn stover) via a dissolution-regeneration process, assessing their UV-blocking performance as a sustainable alternative to petrochemical plastic films. Results showed that all three lignin residue types enhanced the UV-blocking properties of the composite films, supporting their potential in functional biorefinery-integrated packaging.