Recent progress towards greener conversion of Dawn process lignin to lignin nanoparticles  

Lignin is a by-product of biorefinery which is produced in very large quantities. Despite of multiple beneficial features of lignin the use of crude lignin is hindered by its complex structure and heterogeneity. Conversion of crude lignin to spherical lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) with well-defined surface structure is one of promising ways of facilitating of the use of lignin in value-added applications. Researchers from Aalto University have improved previously developed for the LNPs preparation 2-solvent system to more eco-friendly 3-solvent system by including to the system environmentally preferable solvent.

Chemical modification of Dawn process lignin opens new possibility to extend the field of the LNPs’ application  

Researchers from Aalto University have successfully esterified Dawn process lignin with fatty acids in order to facilitate its use and improve its properties. Research work on stabilization of Pickering emulsions with LNPs made of modified Dawn process lignin and search for new applications of the particles are ongoing.

LNPs made of Dawn process lignin is a promising eco-friendly stabilizer of Pickering emulsions  

Environmental concerns of using of traditional surfactants attracted the attention to Pickering emulsions in which solid particles are used for the stabilization instead of traditional surfactant. Research work on stabilization of Pickering emulsions with the LNPs made of Dawn process lignin is ongoing at Aalto University. Recent results have shown pronounced ability of the LNPs to stabilize water:oil emulsions.

An MSc thesis worker Elijah Mark Garcia has researched in his thesis the development of LNPs and derivatized LNPs and evaluated their performance in Pickering emulsions for suitable applications. Developing applications for biorefinery lignin: chemical modification and nanoparticle preparation (aalto.fi)