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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
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Green Synthesis, Characterization, Encapsulation, and Measurement of the Release Potential of Novel Alkali Lignin Micro-/Submicron Particles
Published on: March 1, 2024
Limonene-modified lignin nanoparticles functionalized via aqueous thiol-ene grafting
Alexandros E Alexakis1, Lenny Haddad1, Mika H Sipponen1
1Stockholm University, Department of Chemistry, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden. alexandros.alexakis@su.se.
Nanoscale
|August 14, 2026
Summary
Functionalizing lignin nanoparticles with limonene oxide introduces reactive alkene groups. This strategy preserves nanoparticle integrity and allows for post-assembly surface modification via UV-initiated thiol-ene reactions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Lignin nanoparticles are a sustainable nanomaterial platform.
- Limited strategies exist for functionalizing lignin nanoparticles while maintaining stability.
- Developing methods for tunable surface modification is crucial for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for functionalizing lignin nanoparticles with reactive groups.
- To investigate the impact of functionalization on nanoparticle self-assembly and stability.
- To demonstrate post-assembly surface modification using the introduced functionality.
Main Methods:
- Softwood kraft lignin functionalization with limonene oxide.
- Nanoparticle formation via solvent shifting.
- Characterization using dynamic light scattering and zeta-potential analysis.
- UV-mediated thiol-ene click chemistry for post-assembly functionalization.
Main Results:
- Limonene incorporation reduced nanoparticle size and maintained colloidal stability.
- Functionalization created accessible alkene groups on nanoparticle surfaces.
- Post-assembly functionalization with different thiols modulated interparticle interactions and colloidal behavior.
- Dithiolthreitol induced association, cystamine caused aggregation, and dithiol-poly(ethylene glycol) provided steric stabilization.
Conclusions:
- A modular strategy was developed to decouple lignin modification from surface functionalization.
- This approach allows for tunable surface properties of lignin nanoparticles.
- The method preserves nanoparticle integrity, enabling diverse applications in materials science.
