Access to tough and transparent nanocomposites via Pickering emulsion polymerization using biocatalytic hybrid lignin nanoparticles as functional surfactants

Weak interfacial binding of lignin within synthetic polymer composites results in unsatisfactory mechanical properties that limit their application prospects. In the present work, polystyrene (PS) and poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) nanocomposites containing lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) are produced by simple melting of polymeric latex dispersions obtained from free radical polymerization of oil-in-water Pickering emulsions stabilized by hybrid LNPs coated with chitosan and glucose oxidase. Owing to the formation of viscous polymer melts, the hybrid LNPs ended up uniformly dispersed within the polymeric matrices, which gave the polymeric nanocomposites markedly improved tensile strength without sacrificing their elasticity in comparison to pure PS and PBMA. Consequently, the composites reinforced with 15 wt% of the hybrid particles showed improvement in toughness by a factor of 3.5 and 15 compared to those of the corresponding pristine PS and PBMA. In addition, the presence of the hybrid particles conferred the nanocomposites with commendable UV-blocking and antioxidant properties which are relevant for protective packaging and coating applications. Overall, our results show a new and green route with excellent material economy (overall mass yield up to 91%) to obtain strong and transparent polymeric nanocomposites reinforced with up to 30 wt% of LNPs, which is expected to attract renewed interest in lignin-polymer composites for a broad range of applications.

Automated summary

This study successfully improved the mechanical properties and protective properties of polystyrene and poly(butyl methacrylate) nanocomposites by enhancing the interfacial binding strength of lignin within the synthetic polymer composites, providing a novel and environmentally friendly route for producing strong and transparent polymeric nanocomposites.