Structure-Tunable Assembly of Lignin Sub-Micro Spheres by Modifying the Amphiphilic Interfaces of Lignin via n-alkane

Publication date: Available online 30 January 2020Source: European Polymer JournalAuthor(s): Bingqi Li, Shengping You, Wei Qi, Yuefei Wang, Rongxin Su, Zhimin HeAbstractLignin sub-micro spheres have drawn wide attention because of their biodegradable, biocompatible and large surface area. However, the formation of stable and tunable lignin micro/nanospheres are limited by lignin source, preparation method and aggregation characteristics. Amphiphilic lignin tends to form aggregates in water under two tunable forces, including hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions. Herein, we rationally modify the amphiphilic interface of corncob lignin (CL) with the chemical modification of four types of n-alkane to tune its amphiphilicity. Four alkylated CLs with similar chemical properties, but different interfacial interactions have been successfully synthesized. We find that n-alkane and aromatic skeleton contribute to the hydrophobic interactions to induce the aggregation of CL. The results show that modulating the hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions can successfully promote the formation of CL sub-micro spheres (CLS) with tunable surface properties. The higher hydrophobic interactions and longer alkyl chain, the smaller size of CLS. The average diameters of CLS can be reduced from 400 nm to 100 nm by increasing the length of alkyl chain. What’s more, CLS can disperse stably in water for 60 days and in acid-base environment at pH 4-10 for 30 days.Graphical abstract
Source: European Polymer Journal - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research