Thermal Transformation of Aqueous Lignin Suspension into Nanoparticle Dispersion and Its Unique Associative Properties

摘要

Lignin is the second most abundant biopolymer. Nanoparticle dispersions of lignin were obtained by simply heating in a controlled manner a partially neutralized lignin suspension in water. The lignin nanoparticles were found to form stable dispersions, to be associative with water soluble polymers and to have strong adsorption to common polymeric and inorganic solid surfaces, rendering the treated surfaces persistently more hydrophilic. This widely available natural biopolymer, prepared in nanoparticle form, using a simple, environmentally friendly process, is now available for applications ranging from surface modification, polymer or actives delivery, and film property modification. Applicable markets may include hard surface cleaning, crop and surface protection, composite development, and others.