Phenylpropane Units Research Articles

Benefits of Incorporating Lignin into Starch-Based Films: A Brief Review.

Polysaccharides are an excellent renewable source for developing food-packing materials. It is expected that these packages can be an efficient barrier against oxygen; can reduce lipid peroxidation, and can retain the natural aroma of a food commodity. Starch has tremendous potential to be explored in the preparation of food packaging; however, due to their high hydrophilic nature, packaging films produced from starch possess poor protective moisture barriers and low mechanical properties. This scenario limits their applications, especially in humid conditions. In contrast, lignin's highly complex aromatic hetero-polymer network of phenylpropane units is known to play a filler role in polysaccharide films. Moreover, lignin can limit the biodegradability of polysaccharides films by a physical barrier, mainly, and by non-productive bindings. The main interactions affecting lignin non-productive bindings are hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic interactions, and hydrogen-bonding interactions, which are dependent on the total phenolic -OH and -COOH content in its chemical structure. In this review, the use of lignin as a reinforcement to improve the biodegradability of starch-based films in wet environments is presented. Moreover, the characteristics of the used lignins, the mechanisms of molecular interaction among these materials, and the sensitive physicochemical parameters for biodegradability detection are related.

Characterization of fused aromatic multirings in lignin via synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and catalytic hydro-depolymerization

The structural analysis of lignin is highly significant in practical terms. We investigated the presence of fused aromatic multirings (FARs) distinct from conventional phenylpropane units in seven lignin types using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) and quantified their relative proportions. Our findings reveal that FARs are present in all lignin samples, primarily composed of 2–6 rings. The relative distribution of FARs in lignin is ranked as follows: 2 rings > 1 ring > 4 rings > 3 rings > 6 rings > 5 rings. The relative contents of these FARs (1–6 rings) exhibit slight variations across all lignin samples. Notably, FARs with 2 rings are the highest at 35 %−53 %, while those with 5 and 6 rings are the lowest, collectively accounting for less than 1.37 %. Moreover, the relative contents of FARs with 1 and 2–6 rings range approximately 24 %−32 % and 68 %−76 %, respectively. Furthermore, the catalytic hydro-depolymerization of lignin was performed and the experimental results demonstrate that the hydro-liquefied oil from lignin contains aromatic compounds with 1–7 rings, and the relative contents of aromatic compounds with 1 ring and 2–7 rings in the oil are 29 % and 71 %, respectively, which is consistent with that of lignin SFS. These findings are also consistent with the existing literature and experimental results. This study offers an explanation for the low yields observed in current depolymerization processes targeting small molecules within lignin and establishes a theoretical foundation for achieving high yields in the preparation of multiring aromatic hydrocarbons.

New insights into kinetics and mechanisms of acid sulphite delignification of Eucalyptus globulus wood

The kinetics of Eucalyptus globulus wood delignification in Mg-base acid sulphite pulping of dissolving pulp was studied using a pilot-scale batch digester simulating the industrial process. The behavior of lignin during impregnation, heating-up and bulk delignification at the final temperature was evaluated by the analysis of acid-insoluble lignin in wood and wood residue after pulping. The dynamics of lignin dissolution was followed by its structural analysis in solid residues and in solution by wet chemistry and 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. About 30 % and 20 % of the lignin were removed in the impregnation and heating-up pulping steps, respectively. About 45 % of the lignin was removed at the final pulping temperature in bulk and 3 % in the residual delignification stages. The kinetics of bulk delignification followed a pseudo-first-order kinetics with an effective activation energy of 138.4 kJ/mol in the temperature range of 140–148 °C. Bulk delignification follows an undefined overall order in the hydrogen and bisulfite ions and depended on the partial pressure of SO2 at ca. 0.60 order within the range of combined SO2 in pulping acid of 1.14–1.66 % and total SO2 loads of 6.2–7.0 %. Minimum degree of lignin sulphonation to be dissolved in the pulping liquor was suggested to be about 0.35 sulphonic groups per one phenyl propane unit. Lignin removal during pulping showed dependence on its location in different morphological parts of the fibers and related structural characteristics, which were discussed accordingly. A role of the polysaccharide complex in the accessibility of lignin was highlighted. A noticeable cleavage of β-O-4 linkages occurred in lignin already dissolved in pulping liquor at the end of cooking.

Phenolation to Improve Hardwood Kraft Lignin for Wood Adhesive Application.

Lignins, naturally occurring aromatic polymers with phenylpropane units, are promising bio-based alternatives for petroleum-based products. Resole-type phenol formaldehyde (PF) adhesive is commonly used in wood composites requiring durability and weather-proofness. However, PF adhesive is a petroleum-based product. The objective of this study is to transform the low-reactivity hardwood kraft lignin (KL) as the phenol substitute in the PF adhesive formulation by acidic phenolation. The variations in the molecular weights, chemical structures, and functional groups in lignins were investigated before and after the phenolation. The results indicate that the KL can be cleaved, and phenols are crosslinked onto KL to produce phenolated kraft lignin (PKL) under the suitable phenolation condition, heating 3/5 (w/w) of KL/phenol at 90 °C for 2 h with 5% H2SO4 as the catalyst. Resole-type PKL-PF adhesives can be directly synthesized after the phenolation in the same reactor. Plywood laminated with this adhesive obtains satisfactory strength and low formaldehyde emission. This not only reduces the usage of petroleum-based phenol but also increases the reactivity and applications for hardwood KL.

Lignin‐Based Multilamellar Aggregates for Removing Ofloxacin Antibiotic: A Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulation Study

AbstractLignin, a renewable aromatic polymer, has great potential as a synthetic building block for functional materials. The effects of quaternary ammonic methylation of alkali lignin (AL) on the morphologies and ofloxacin antibiotic (OA) removal application from water are investigated by using the dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation method. Untreated AL can form spherical aggregates, but the phenylpropane units of untreated AL and loaded broad‐spectrum OA molecules are randomly distributed in aggregates. However, if quaternary ammonic groups are grafted onto all orthopositions of the phenolic hydroxyl groups (100‐QAMAL), then multilamellar spherical aggregates are obtained and OA molecules are entrapped in the aggregates. To prepare multilamellar spherical aggregates with an ordered and regular layered structure, <15 v% of 100‐QAMAL and low molecular weights of AL (≈4700–9400 Da) are suggested to be used. Lignin‐based multilamellar spherical aggregates can be adopted as potential functional carriers for removing pollutant OA from water.

Нитрозирование лигносульфонатов в условиях твердофазного катализа

Lignosulfonates are the most common commercial lignin-based product due to their unique properties. Various methods are known for modifying lignosulfonates and lignosulfonic acids. This article presents the results of the development of a new approach to the production of nitrosated lignosulfonic acids. The method is based on a reaction catalyzed by cation exchange resins in the H-form: KU-2-8 cation exchanger and wofatite. The influence of reagent consumption and reaction duration on the course of nitrosation has been studied. The dynamics of the proposed nitrosation practically coincides with the dynamics of a similar reaction using sulfuric acid by the known method. The optimal consumption of sodium nitrite equals 15 %, and the optimal consumption of cation exchanger equals 100 % by weight of lignosulfonates. During the nitrosation of lignosulfonates, significant changes in the electronic spectra occur in the region of 280...500 nm. Two overlapping absorption bands appear with maxima at 300 and 330 nm, as well as an intense absorption band at 430 nm, due to nitroso groups conjugated with the aromatic nuclei of phenylpropane units. To analyze the ionization spectra, they have been deconvoluted. The resulting spectra are well approximated by 5 Gaussians with an error of no more than 5 %. Two options for carrying out the nitrosation reaction of lignosulfonates have been proposed: under static and dynamic conditions. It has been established that under dynamic conditions, nitroso derivatives of lignosulfonic acids are formed that do not contain metal cations, and the pH of the resulting solutions does not exceed 1.4. The elemental compositions of the isolated initial and nitrosated lignosulfonic acids have been determined. The nitrogen content of lignosulfonic acids has increased from 0.32 (initial) to 2.17 % (nitrosated). In addition, under dynamic conditions, an additional stage of separating the cation exchanger from the reaction medium by filtration is not required. New bands have appeared in the IR spectrum of nitrosated lignosulfonic acids: at 1540 cm–1, which is due to the presence of nitroso groups, and a wide absorption band at 1700...1715 cm–1, which can be caused by vibrations of the carboxyl group or the quinone monooxime tautomeric form of the guaiacyl structures of lignosulfonic acids.

What is lignin - the evolution of views (review)

The review considers changes in ideas about the biosynthesis, structure and functions of lignin in plants, starting from early mentions and up to the present. Alternative points of view on the process of lignin biosynthesis, its spatial and supramolecular structure, and the nature of lignincarbohydrate bonds are presented. 
 A special place in the review is occupied by the results of studies of lignin modification with the aim of reducing the content and changing the composition of monomer units by genetic engineering methods. Comparison of the structure of lignins isolated from transgenic and mutant trees, as well as herbaceous plants, showed that lignin biosynthesis is plastic and, in addition to canonical monolignols (coniferyl, synapic, and coumaric alcohols), other phenolic compounds can also participate in it.
 The study of the so-called "stress lignins" showed that lignin plays an important role in protecting plants from adverse environmental influences: mechanical damage, drought, low temperatures, pathogens, etc.
 The results of studies of the genetic modification of lignin made it possible to outline a program for directed modification of the biosynthesis process in order to obtain designer lignins, i.e. lignins with desired properties. This group also includes the so-called zip-lignins. They are distinguished by the presence of ester bonds between phenylpropane units.
 It is noted that, when conducting research in the field of genetic engineering, it is necessary to find a compromise between improving the processing of plant materials due to the modification of lignin and the viability of transgenic plants.

Synthesis of β-O-4 linked model oligolignol with a selectively deuterium-labelled methoxy group at the phenolic terminal unit

Abstract A lignin model oligomer with only β-O-4 linkages and a selectively deuterium-labelled methoxy group at the phenolic terminal units was synthesised to clarify the behaviour of the phenolic end of oligolignols. First, t-butoxycarbonylmethyl vanillin was synthesised and oligomerised by nucleophilic addition, a known method. The terminal of the oligomers was then subjected to nucleophilic addition to [3-OCD3]benzyl vanillin to achieve selective labelling of the terminal units. A deuterium-labelled lignin model oligomer (D-LM) was obtained through debenzylation and subsequent reduction. The results of thioacidolysis after methylation revealed that the degree of polymerisation was about five, and the deuterium-labelled phenylpropane unit was located only at the phenolic terminal moiety.

Функциональный состав и структурные особенности лигнинов высших растений

NMR spectroscopy is one of the effective methods for the study of plant raw materials, which makes it possible to identify differences in the structure and functional composition of lignins of various types of plant biomass. However, there are a number of limitations in the use of this method – in particular, the registration of NMR spectra at some nuclei (13C, 31P, etc.) usually requires considerable amount of time. This article proposes an approach to reduce the recording time of 31P NMR spectra by a factor of 17 without losing the quality of the result. With the help of this method and with the use of optimized experimental parameters, the functional group analysis of lignins of some softwood and hardwood species and herbaceous plants distributed in the European North of the Russian Federation was carried out. The types of structural units and their characteristic interstructural relationships per 100 phenylpropane units were determined by HSQC NMR. Differences in the functional composition and features of the structural organization of lignins were identified depending on the family to which the plant belongs. On the basis of the obtained array of experimental data the strategies of processing of specific types of plant raw materials were proposed. For example, lignins of the Birch and Beech families showed the largest number of β-aryl ether fragments with a free hydroxyl group in the α-position, which indicates the greater reactivity of these lignins. Accordingly, representatives of these families are priority raw materials in the development of lignin processing methods. At the same time, the structure of lignins of representatives of the Beech family proved to be the most resistant to hydrolytic degradation, which is important for lignin-directed bioprocessing concepts. For citation: Sypalova Yu.A., Shestakov S.L., Kozhevnikov A.Yu. Functional Composition and Structural Features of Higher Plant Lignins. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 5, pp. 164–183. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-5-164-183

Elucidation of bioactivity of tricin released by thioacidolysis from wheat straw lignin

Tricin is a complex compound with chemical bonds to phenylpropane units of lignin in gramineous plants, and it is predominantly bound to lignin by β-O-4 ether bonds. Thioacidolysis cleaves the alkyl aryl ether bonds, which releases tricin from the tricin-lignin complex and maintains the natural structure of the tricin. In this study, milled wood lignin (MWL) was isolated from wheat straw by Bjӧrkman’s method, and the MWL was subjected to thioacidolysis to release tricin from the MWL. Medium-pressure preparative liquid chromatography was used for further purification. FT-IR and 1H-NMR analyses showed that the purified fraction was composed mainly of tricin-type flavonoids. The extracted tricin had strong scavenging capacity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 51.9 mg/L. Drug sensitivity paper testing showed that the extracted tricin inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli. The bacteriostatic circle diameters of tricin from wheat straw MWL and quercetin standard were 9.17 and 7.52 mm, respectively. A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay showed that the tricin from wheat straw MWL had possible inhibitory effect on lung cancer A549 cells, with a maximum inhibitory performance of 44.5%.

Preparation and Anti-Lung Cancer Activity Analysis of Guaiacyl-Type Dehydrogenation Polymer.

In this paper, guaiacyl dehydrogenated lignin polymer (G-DHP) was synthesized using coniferin as a substrate in the presence of β-glucosidase and laccase. Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR) determination revealed that the structure of G-DHP was relatively similar to that of ginkgo milled wood lignin (MWL), with both containing β-O-4, β-5, β-1, β-β, and 5-5 substructures. G-DHP fractions with different molecular weights were obtained by classification with different polar solvents. The bioactivity assay indicated that the ether-soluble fraction (DC2) showed the strongest inhibition of A549 lung cancer cells, with an IC50 of 181.46 ± 28.01 μg/mL. The DC2 fraction was further purified using medium-pressure liquid chromatography. Anti-cancer analysis revealed that the D4 and D5 compounds from DC2 had better anti-tumor activity, with IC50 values of 61.54 ± 17.10 μg/mL and 28.61 ± 8.52 μg/mL, respectively. Heating electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HESI-MS) results showed that both the D4 and D5 were β-5-linked dimers of coniferyl aldehyde, and the 13C-NMR and 1H-NMR analyses confirmed the structure of the D5. Together, these results indicate that the presence of an aldehyde group on the side chain of the phenylpropane unit of G-DHP enhances its anticancer activity.

Preparation of High-Toughness Lignin Phenolic Resin Biomaterials Based via Polybutylene Succinate Molecular Intercalation

Lignin has many potential applications and is a biopolymer with a three-dimensional network structure. It is composed of three phenylpropane units, p-hydroxyphenyl, guaiacyl, and syringyl, connected by ether bonds and carbon-carbon bonds, and it contains a large number of phenol or aldehyde structural units, resulting in complex lignin structures. This limits the application of lignin. To expand the application range of lignin, we prepared lignin thermoplastic phenolic resins (LPRs) by using lignin instead of phenol; these LPRs had molecular weights of up to 1917 g/mol, a molecular weight distribution of 1.451, and an O/P value of up to 2.73. Due to the complex structure of the lignin, the synthetic lignin thermoplastic phenolic resins were not very tough, which greatly affected the performance of the material. If the lignin phenolic resins were toughened, their application range would be substantially expanded. Polybutylene succinate (PBS) has excellent processability and excellent mechanical properties. The toughening effects of different PBS contents in the LPRs were investigated. PBS was found to be compatible with the LPRs, and the flexible chain segments of the small PBS molecules were embedded in the molecular chain segments of the LPRs, thus reducing the crystallinities of the LPRs. The good compatibility between the two materials promoted hydrogen bond formation between the PBS and LPRs. Rheological data showed good interfacial bonding between the materials, and the modulus of the high-melting PBS made the LPRs more damage resistant. When PBS was added at 30%, the tensile strength of the LPRs was increased by 2.8 times to 1.65 MPa, and the elongation at break increased by 31 times to 93%. This work demonstrates the potential of lignin thermoplastic phenolic resins for industrial applications and provides novel concepts for toughening biobased aromatic resins with PBS.

High quantum-yield lignin fluorescence materials based on polymer confinement strategy and its application as a natural ratiometric pH sensor film

The high quantum-yield (QY) lignin fluorescence material at solid state was obtained via the polymer confinement strategy, using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as polymer matrix and organic solvent lignin (OL) as luminescent material. The absolute QY of lignin/PVA film could reach 13.68 % by optimizing the raw material of OL, of which was even higher than that in THF medium due to their hydrogen bond interaction for inhibiting aggregation and rigid environment for decreasing molecular rotation and vibration. In addition, under the encapsulation of PVA, the resistance of photobleaching of lignin fluorescence was also enhanced. Finally, OL was proved as a natural ratiometric fluorescence pH sensor from the electronegativity change of phenylpropane unit, and the fluorescence of lignin/PVA film showed a naked-eye recognition for spoiled pork detection. This work provided a new perspective to lignin fluorescence for really using as a feedstock for luminescent materials.

Multilamellar spherical micelles of alkali lignin: dissipative particle dynamics simulations.

Lignin has an immense potential for the production of lignin-based functional materials. In this work, effect of 2-chloro-ethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (AC)-grafted alkali lignin (AL) on the morphologies in water was investigated by dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations. The results showed that AL molecules formed spherical micelles, but the corresponding phenylpropane units of AL were randomly distributed in spherical micelles. However, AC-grafted modification of phenolic hydroxyl groups in AL led to the formation of multilamellar spherical micelles. The formation of multilamellar spherical micelles of AL mainly went through four stages: small clusters, larger aggregates with a core-shell structure, trilaminar, and multilamellar spherical micelles. AL molecules resulted in dimethomorph molecules being randomly distributed in the spherical micelle, while the dimethomorph molecules were perfectly entrapped into the spherical micelles of AC-grafted AL. Various molecular weights of AL had no effect on the formation and size of multilamellar spherical micelles. With increasing the content of AC-grafted AL, small clusters, multilamellar spherical micelles, tube-like, and lamellar aggregates were observed successively. This work highlights the potential of lignin to prepare monodispersed lignin-based functional colloidal spheres. Coarse-grained beads were performed energy minimization, geometric optimization, NPT ensemble (298 K and 1.0 bar), and NVT ensemble (298 K) calculations. DPD simulations were carried out at 300,000 steps in a 30×30×30 Rc3 cubic box with Materials Studio 7.0 program.

Comprehensive Characterization of Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Lignan-Rich Coniferous Knotwood Extractives.

A knotwood of coniferous trees containing large amounts of polyphenolic extractives is considered a promising industrial-scale source of lignans possessing antioxidant properties and other bioactivities. The present study is aimed at a detailed characterization of the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of lignan-rich extractives obtained from the knotwood of the Norway spruce, Scotch pine, Siberian fir, and Siberian larch growing in the European North of Russia as a region with a highly developed forest industry. To achieve this, a comprehensive approach based on a combination of two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy with high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry, and the determination of antioxidant activity by the three complementary methods were proposed. The studied knotwood samples contained from 3.9 to 17% of extractive substances and were comparable to Trolox's antioxidant activity in the single-electron transfer processes and superoxide radical scavenging, which is associated with the predominance of polyphenolic compounds. The latter was represented by 12 tentatively identified monolignans and 27 oligolignans containing 3-5 phenylpropane units in their structure. The extracts were characterized by an identical set of lignans and differed only in the ratios of their individual compounds. Other components of the knotwood were flavonoids taxifolin, quercetin (Siberian larch), and three stilbenes (pinosylvin, its methyl ester, and pterostilbene), which were identified in the Scotch pine extractives. Sesquiterpene juvabione and its derivatives were found in extracts of Siberian larch knotwood.

Lignan (+)-Piperitol-γ,γ-Dimethylallylether from Stem Bark of Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) DC (Rutaceae)

Lignans are a group of phenylpropanoid dimers in which the phenylpropane units are linked by their propyl side chains' central carbon (C8). Lignans have various biological activities, including antiviral, anticancer, cancer preventive, and cytotoxic. Zanthoxylum rhetsa (Roxb.) DC is a tree with prickly branchlets belonging to the Zanthoxylum genus, commonly known as panggal buaya in Indonesia. Asian tribes have used this plant as traditional medicine. In this study, (+)-piperitol-γ,γ-dimethylallylether, a furofuran lignan, was successfully isolated. The chemical structure of compound 1 was determined based on spectroscopic data, including 1D- and 2D-NMR, mass spectroscopy, and by comparing with previous spectral data. In addition, compound 1 was tested for its cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines in vitro and showed weak activity with the IC50 value of 261.37 µg/mL.

Probable Biosynthetic Pathways of Silymarin Precursors

Background: Silymarin is composed of a mixture of flavonolignans derived from secondary plant metabolism. These constituents are present in substantial amounts in milk thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Asteraceae)] seeds. Silymarin has antioxidant properties that impact it with protective effects. Because of its chemoprotective effect against liver disease, silymarin is considered a complementary and alternative hepatoprotective medicine.BRMethods and Results: Coniferyl alcohol and taxifolin, the two precursors for silymarin biosyntesis, are derived from phenylpropane and flavonoid units, respectively. Coniferyl alcohol is synthesized via the monolignol biosynthetic pathway, whereas taxifolin is synthesized via the flavonoid pathway. Multiple variables, including related substrates, production, and activating enzymes require consideration to study the biosynthetic pathway of silymarin.BRConclusions: This review is helpful as it summarizes the probable biosynthetic pathways of silymarin and multiple related activating enzymes and substrates found in various plants. A further understanding of silymarin is expected to increase its industrial use value.

An Efficient Method of Birch Ethanol Lignin Sulfation with a Sulfaic Acid-Urea Mixture.

For the first time, the process of birch ethanol lignin sulfation with a sulfamic acid-urea mixture in a 1,4-dioxane medium was optimized experimentally and numerically. The high yield of the sulfated ethanol lignin (more than 96%) and containing 7.1 and 7.9 wt % of sulfur was produced at process temperatures of 80 and 90 °C for 3 h. The sample with the highest sulfur content (8.1 wt %) was obtained at a temperature of 100 °C for 2 h. The structure and molecular weight distribution of the sulfated birch ethanol lignin was established by FTIR, 2D 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. The introduction of sulfate groups into the lignin structure was confirmed by FTIR by the appearance of absorption bands characteristic of the vibrations of sulfate group bonds. According to 2D NMR spectroscopy data, both the alcohol and phenolic hydroxyl groups of the ethanol lignin were subjected to sulfation. The sulfated birch ethanol lignin with a weight average molecular weight of 7.6 kDa and a polydispersity index of 1.81 was obtained under the optimum process conditions. Differences in the structure of the phenylpropane units of birch ethanol lignin (syringyl-type predominates) and abies ethanol lignin (guaiacyl-type predominates) was manifested in the fact that the sulfation of the former proceeds more completely at moderate temperatures than the latter. In contrast to sulfated abies ethanol lignin, the sulfated birch ethanol lignin had a bimodal and wider molecular weight distribution, as well as less thermal stability. The introduction of sulfate groups into ethanol lignin reduced its thermal stability.

Preparation of uniform lignosulfonate-based colloidal spheres for UV-absorbing thermoplastics

Lignosulfonate-based colloidal spheres were prepared from sodium lignosulfonate and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (NaLS/CTAB) complex through electrostatic and hydrophobic self-assembly. Due to the stronger hydrophobicity and UV-blocking performance, NaLS/CTAB colloids were easier to be blended with HDPE than lignosulfonate, and therefore applied to UV-absorbing thermoplastics. Results showed NaLS/CTAB colloidal spheres had a particle size of 160 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.081. NaLS/CTAB molecules started to form spheres at critical water content of 64 vol% when the initial concentration of NaLS/CTAB in EtOH was 0.5 mg/cm3 and the obtaining of colloids was completed at a water content of 90 vol%. The size and polydispersity of spheres were well controlled by adjusting initial concentrations of NaLS/CTAB in EtOH. Since NaLS/CTAB colloidal spheres retained phenylpropane units and phenolic hydroxyl groups of NaLS, NaLS/CTAB/HDPE composites displayed excellent UV-absorbing properties. Meanwhile, the mechanical property of NaLS/CTAB/HDPE composites was also superior to that of frequently-used CaCO3/HDPE materials in industry, reaching the requirement of industrial uses. However, too high additions would result in the increased agglomeration of NaLS/CTAB spheres in HDPE, and thus the deteriorated mechanical property. Additionally, the added spheres played a role of “ball”, which caused the decreased viscosity, improved flowability and processability of composites.

Fractionation of Biomass using Green Solvents

Green solvents show several favorable features to be used as extraction and fractionation solvents, such as their ease of preparation and lower cost, and they can be both non-toxic and biodegradable when prepared with natural compounds. Due to their properties, green solvents' application in biomass fractionation has been extensively studied during the past years. The presented work describes the application of several possible combinations to create deep eutectic solvents with the potential to be used in processing different types of biomass. The results of studies suggest that deep eutectic solvents may have an important ability to dissolve lignin molecules from plants and can realize a mild catalytic mechanism (acid-base) that will activate the checked cleavage of non-stable ether linkages between phenylpropane units.