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Tailored Lignin Xerogels: Insights into Morphology Control
Aymane El Bouhali1,2, Frédéric Addiego1, Hande Barkan-Öztürk3
1Department of Materials Research and Technology, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, Esch-Sur-Alzette L-4362, Luxembourg.
ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
|April 13, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed lignin-based xerogels (LBX) for water treatment using a sol-gel process and polymerization-induced phase separation. This method allows tunable pore structures in sustainable, biobased adsorbents for potential heavy metal removal.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Environmental Engineering
Background:
- Lignin, a renewable biopolymer, is a promising feedstock for sustainable materials.
- Porous adsorbents are crucial for effective water treatment, especially for heavy metal removal.
- Controlling pore morphology in biobased materials is key for optimizing adsorption performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a tunable synthesis strategy for lignin-based xerogels (LBX).
- To investigate the influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on xerogel pore structure and properties.
- To explore the potential of LBX as biobased adsorbents for water treatment.
Main Methods:
- Sol-gel process combined with polymerization-induced phase separation (PIPS).
- Systematic variation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecular weight and concentration.
- Characterization of pore structure, porosity, specific surface area (SSA), and permeability.
Main Results:
- Synthesized LBX with tunable pore sizes (10-90 μm) and porosities (19-73 vol %).
- Achieved specific surface areas (SSAs) ranging from 0.7 to 13.2 m²/g.
- Demonstrated permeability values from 1.3 to 5.6 darcys, indicating controllable flow properties.
Conclusions:
- A tunable strategy for lignin valorization into porous materials was established.
- The synthesis method allows control over pore morphology and hierarchy in LBX.
- Developed biobased porous materials show potential for applications in heavy metal adsorption from water.
