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Lignin Dissolution and Direct Ultrasmall-Lignin-Nanoparticle Formation in Acidic and Alkaline Deep Eutectic Solvents:
Xin Yue1, Jinxin Lin2, Otto Mankinen3
1Fiber and Particle Engineering Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, 90014, Finland.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|May 22, 2025
Summary
Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) enable a green, single-step method for creating smaller lignin nanoparticles (LNPs). This study reveals how solvent interactions control lignin
Area of Science:
- Green Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biomass Processing
Background:
- Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) show promise for lignin processing.
- Understanding lignin's molecular behavior in DESs for nanoparticle formation is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a green, single-step method for producing lignin nanoparticles (LNPs).
- To elucidate the mechanisms of lignin dissolution and self-assembly in DESs.
- To investigate the role of solvent properties in controlling LNP size and structure.
Main Methods:
- Development of an acidic DES-based method for LNP synthesis.
- Integration of structural characterization techniques.
- Molecular dynamics simulations of lignin models in various solvents.
Main Results:
- Acidic DES method yielded LNPs nine times smaller than conventional methods.
- DESs stabilize lateral-shifted lignin configurations, forming compact LNPs.
- Tetrahydrofuran/H2O favored offset-stacked configurations, resulting in larger LNPs.
Conclusions:
- Solvent properties critically influence lignin's molecular structure, interactions, and conformation.
- DESs offer a controllable pathway for tuning LNP size and compactness.
- This work provides mechanistic insights into DES-mediated lignin self-assembly.
