Abstract
This work reports on a green and simple procedure to manufacture spherical lignin particles (SLPs) in sub-micron scale. Softwood kraft lignin was fractionated using a ubiquitous organic solvent, acetone, which is recoverable and reused in a following step to produce SLPs via self-assembly method. A portion phenolic content was increased in acetone-soluble lignin. The SLPs with an average diameter of 736 ± 39 nm were produced and used as natural-multifunctional additive for polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films. Moreover, we presented a developed composite film of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA/SLPs) with an excellent UV-shielding ability and retaining its transparency. Enhancement in thermal and mechanical properties and UV-shielding ability of the obtained PVA/SLPs composite films was demonstrated. With only 0.2 wt% incorporation of SLPs, the composite film (PVA/0.2SLPs) exhibited melting temperature at 177 ± 2.6 °C, approximately 15 °C higher than that of the neat PVA film. Crystallinity of PVA/0.2SPLs composite film increased by 80% compared with the neat film. Modulus of the composite films was increased significantly from 1.7 ± 0.1 to 2.0 ± 0.2 GPa with 0.2 wt% loading of lignin particles. UV transmittance in both UVA and UVB regions through PVA/0.2SPLs composite films was significantly decreased while a satisfactory visible light transmittance was retained. This work provides a simple and green process for producing SLPs, which can be used in PVA films as UV-shielding agent and enhancer of thermal and mechanical properties.
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Authors wish to acknowledge Prof. Dr. S. Seraphin, Professional Authorship Center (PAC), NSTDA for useful suggestions.
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Authors appreciate the funding support from National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand (No.2052415).
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Hararak, B., Winotapun, C., Inyai, J. et al. Production of UV-shielded spherical lignin particles as multifunctional bio-additives for polyvinyl alcohol composite films. J Nanopart Res 23, 193 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-021-05308-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-021-05308-z