Solvents drive self-assembly mechanisms and inherent properties of Kraft lignin nanoparticles (<50 nm)

Hypothesis: Strikingly, Kraft lignin nanoparticles (KLNPs) can substitute polluting nanoparticles in diverse applications. An attractive method for synthesizing KLNPs is Solvent shifting. We hypothesized that by a detailed understanding of the solvent properties and influence of the process parameters, one could derive new fundamental and technical information about the lignin nanoparticle formation process. Experiments: DMSO and THF were chosen best solvents based on the Hansen solubility parameter of lignin. The four synthesis parameters such as lignin concentration, (anti-solvent) water volume, temperature, and stirring speed were used to investigate the size, polydispersity index (PDI), morphology as well as the thermal, mechanical and optical properties of KLNPsDMSO & KLNPsTHF.

Automated summary

This study investigated the method and influencing factors of synthesizing Kraft lignin nanoparticles (KLNPs) using solvent shifting, and analyzed their physical properties.