Formation of pure nanoparticles with solvent-fractionated lignin polymers and evaluation of their biocompatibility

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of lignin characteristics (mainly molecular weight, functional groups, and internal linkages) on nanoparticle formation. First, five different lignin fractions (Mw 1460–12,900) were obtained from commercial kraft lignin (KL) by sequential solvent extraction. Functional groups and internal linkages were determined in lignin fractions, each fraction consisting of different levels and ratios. Second, spherical lignin nanoparticles (i.d. 193–1039 nm) were synthesized by nanoprecipitation at different pre-dialysis concentrations (1, 2, 4, and 6 mg mL−1 THF) with the different fractions (F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5). The study revealed that larger particles consisted of lignin fractions of lower molecular weight and higher phenolic group content (KL-F1 and F2), while smaller but non-uniform particles were produced from fractions of higher molecular weight and lower phenolic group content (KLF4 and F5). Every zeta potential value of the particle exceeded −35 mV. The nanoparticles from raw kraft lignin exhibited no significant cytotoxicity, hemotoxicity, and hypersensitivity. This study revealed that molecular weight and hydroxyl group content in the lignin highly correlated with nanoparticle properties. The present kraft lignin nanoparticles have potential for use in various polymer-based nanotechnology.