A lignin-based epoxy/TiO₂ hybrid nanoparticle for multifunctional bio-based epoxy with improved mechanical, UV...

Lignin, as a natural polymer material, has the advantages of green safety, renewable, and pollution-free. It has a wide application prospect in the field of thermosetting. However, it has been attractive but a huge challenge to design high performance and high added-value lignin-based epoxy resin. Herein, lignin-based epoxy (LEP) was synthesized from moso bamboo-derived lignin, and then lignin-based epoxy/titanium dioxide (LEP/TiO₂) hybrid nanoparticle was synthesized via liquid deposition method for modifying lignin-based epoxy resin to prepare multifunctional bio-based epoxy. The results show that the LEP/TiO₂ hybrid nanoparticle exhibits a stable topological surface shape and good dispersion and uniformity. By adding 10 wt% LEP/TiO₂ hybrid nanoparticles, the multifunctional bio-based epoxy exhibits good mechanical strength and toughness, and the tensile strength and fracture toughness reach 36 MPa and 1.26 MPa·m^1/2, respectively. In addition, the thermal stability, UV absorption and antibacterial properties of the multifunctional bio-based epoxy are further improved. This study provides a facile and efficient method for the preparation of high-performance multifunctional bio-based epoxy composite and a novel solution for the utilization of lignin.