Abstract
Lignin nanoparticles can serve as biodegradable carriers of biocidal actives with minimal environmental footprint. Here we describe the colloidal synthesis and interfacial design of nanoparticles with tunable surface properties using two different lignin precursors, Kraft (Indulin AT) lignin and Organosolv (high-purity lignin). The green synthesis process is based on flash precipitation of dissolved lignin polymer, which enabled the formation of nanoparticles in the size range of 45-250 nm. The size evolution of the two types of lignin particles is fitted on the basis of modified diffusive growth kinetics and mass balance dependencies. The surface properties of the nanoparticles are fine-tuned by coating them with a cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride). We analyze how the colloidal stability and dispersion properties of these two types of nanoparticles vary as a function of pH and salinities. The data show that the properties of the nanoparticles are governed by the type of lignin used and the presence of polyelectrolyte surface coating. The coating allows the control of the nanoparticles' surface charge and the extension of their stability into strongly basic regimes, facilitating their potential application at extreme pH conditions.
Highlights
Engineered nanomaterials have the potential to solve challenges in the fields of environmental remediation,[1] food and agriculture,[2] and health care.[3]
We report the synthesis of two types of lignin nanoparticles of different precursors, namely (a) Indulin AT and (b) High Purity Lignin (HPL), using flash-precipitation methods.[40]
The first type of nanoparticles investigated were synthesized from Indulin AT lignin
Summary
Engineered nanomaterials have the potential to solve challenges in the fields of environmental remediation,[1] food and agriculture,[2] and health care.[3] the possible risk associated with the use of many synthetic inorganic nanoparticles and their post-utilization activity have limited their large scale application.[4] The deactivation of waste nanoparticles in solid-waste incineration plants,[5] or the recovery of persistent nanoparticles in wastewater treatment systems,[6] is a non-trivial problem. The potential post-utilization activity of such nanoparticles[7] combined with their possible persistence,[5,8] could lead to long-term environmental impact.[9] It has been demonstrated previously that by applying green chemistry principles[10] at the early stage of nanomaterial engineering one can solve or mitigate some of these problems,[11] and synthesize sustainable functional nanomaterials.[12]. Due to the environmentally sustainable nature of lignin,[28] it has been used for the delivery of such micronutrients in agronomic products.[29,30] Lignin obtained via the Organosolv process, such as High Purity Lignin (HPL) from Lignol Innovations Ltd. is highly hydrophobic (see solvent properties in Table S2) and classified as sulfur-free.[15,27]
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