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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Extraction of Lignin with High β-O-4 Content by Mild Ethanol Extraction and Its Effect on the Depolymerization Yield
Published on: January 7, 2019
Harnessing lignin in membrane engineering: from green polymer to high-performance applications
Vahid Vatanpour1, Berk Esenli2, Borte Kose-Mutlu2
1Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Kharazmi University, Tehran, 15719-14911, Iran; National Research Center on Membrane Technologies, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, 34469, Istanbul, Türkiye; Research Center for Environmental Chemistry and Green Development, Khazar University, Mahsati Str. 41, Baku, AZ-1096, Azerbaijan.
Lignin, a sustainable polymer, shows promise for creating advanced separation membranes. Lignin-based membranes offer enhanced performance and environmental benefits, though challenges in production remain.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Lignin is a natural polymer with potential for sustainable materials.
- Current separation membranes often rely on non-renewable resources.
- There is a growing need for eco-friendly and cost-effective membrane solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the progress of lignin in separation membrane technologies.
- To highlight lignin's properties and their impact on membrane performance.
- To discuss methods for incorporating lignin and its environmental advantages.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of lignin applications in various membrane types.
- Analysis of lignin's physicochemical properties relevant to membranes.
- Examination of integration techniques (blending, surface modification, in situ polymerization).
Main Results:
- Lignin enhances membrane mechanical strength, permeability, selectivity, and fouling resistance.
- Lignin-based membranes offer reduced carbon footprint and biodegradability.
- Diverse applications include exchange, pressure-driven, gas separation, and battery separator membranes.
Conclusions:
- Lignin is a viable, sustainable resource for advanced separation membranes.
- Challenges include lignin purification, structural variability, and scalable production.
- Future research should focus on standardization and understanding structure-property relationships.
