Valorization of Camellia oleifera through integrated lignin extraction and tunable nanoparticle synthesis

The high-value utilization of Camellia oleifera, a major agroforestry waste, is critical for sustainable biomass management. This study presents a green integrated process for efficient lignin extraction and controllable nanoparticle synthesis via acidic solvent extraction and solvent-exchange nanot...

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Main Authors: Yougen Wu, Chengyun Deng, Xiaolu Zhao, Zhiping Wu, Zhenyan Ma, Hui Wang, Lishu Shao, Lin Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIP Publishing LLC 2025-04-01
Series:AIP Advances
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0265408
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author Yougen Wu
Chengyun Deng
Xiaolu Zhao
Zhiping Wu
Zhenyan Ma
Hui Wang
Lishu Shao
Lin Zhang
author_facet Yougen Wu
Chengyun Deng
Xiaolu Zhao
Zhiping Wu
Zhenyan Ma
Hui Wang
Lishu Shao
Lin Zhang
author_sort Yougen Wu
collection DOAJ
description The high-value utilization of Camellia oleifera, a major agroforestry waste, is critical for sustainable biomass management. This study presents a green integrated process for efficient lignin extraction and controllable nanoparticle synthesis via acidic solvent extraction and solvent-exchange nanotechnology. Two solvent systems were systematically optimized: HCl/1,4-dioxane achieved higher lignin purity (71.53%–73.52%) under optimal conditions (110 °C, 75 min, 90% solvent ratio), whereas p-TsOH/ethylene glycol low eutectic solvent (70 °C, 75 min, 65% ratio) yielded superior extraction efficiency (27.38%–28.74%). Subsequent solvent exchange enabled precise regulation of lignin nanoparticle morphology and size. Solvent polarity governed structural outcomes, with acetone producing elongated porous particles (153 ± 1 nm, PDI = 0.322) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) generating uniform spheres (140 ± 1 nm, PDI = 0.109). FTIR and zeta potential analyses revealed that tetrahydrofuran’s hydrophobic effects enhanced surface electronegativity (−37.5 mV), conferring exceptional colloidal stability (<1% size increase over 30 days). Synergistic optimization of THF/water ratio (50%) and lignin concentration (0.7 mg/ml) produced ultrasmall nanoparticles (80 nm, PDI = 0.082). This work elucidates the multiscale mechanism of solvent polarity in lignin extraction-nanostructuring and establishes a low-carbon pathway for agroforestry waste valorization. The methodology demonstrates significant potential for advancing green material synthesis and nanotechnology applications through biomass-derived functional nanomaterials.
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spelling doaj-art-64a4bfe63ec8466bae179917fcdaed5d2025-08-20T02:11:05ZengAIP Publishing LLCAIP Advances2158-32262025-04-01154045229045229-1210.1063/5.0265408Valorization of Camellia oleifera through integrated lignin extraction and tunable nanoparticle synthesisYougen Wu0Chengyun Deng1Xiaolu Zhao2Zhiping Wu3Zhenyan Ma4Hui Wang5Lishu Shao6Lin Zhang7College of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaCollege of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaCollege of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaCollege of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaCollege of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaCollege of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaCollege of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaCollege of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaThe high-value utilization of Camellia oleifera, a major agroforestry waste, is critical for sustainable biomass management. This study presents a green integrated process for efficient lignin extraction and controllable nanoparticle synthesis via acidic solvent extraction and solvent-exchange nanotechnology. Two solvent systems were systematically optimized: HCl/1,4-dioxane achieved higher lignin purity (71.53%–73.52%) under optimal conditions (110 °C, 75 min, 90% solvent ratio), whereas p-TsOH/ethylene glycol low eutectic solvent (70 °C, 75 min, 65% ratio) yielded superior extraction efficiency (27.38%–28.74%). Subsequent solvent exchange enabled precise regulation of lignin nanoparticle morphology and size. Solvent polarity governed structural outcomes, with acetone producing elongated porous particles (153 ± 1 nm, PDI = 0.322) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) generating uniform spheres (140 ± 1 nm, PDI = 0.109). FTIR and zeta potential analyses revealed that tetrahydrofuran’s hydrophobic effects enhanced surface electronegativity (−37.5 mV), conferring exceptional colloidal stability (<1% size increase over 30 days). Synergistic optimization of THF/water ratio (50%) and lignin concentration (0.7 mg/ml) produced ultrasmall nanoparticles (80 nm, PDI = 0.082). This work elucidates the multiscale mechanism of solvent polarity in lignin extraction-nanostructuring and establishes a low-carbon pathway for agroforestry waste valorization. The methodology demonstrates significant potential for advancing green material synthesis and nanotechnology applications through biomass-derived functional nanomaterials.http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0265408
spellingShingle Yougen Wu
Chengyun Deng
Xiaolu Zhao
Zhiping Wu
Zhenyan Ma
Hui Wang
Lishu Shao
Lin Zhang
Valorization of Camellia oleifera through integrated lignin extraction and tunable nanoparticle synthesis
AIP Advances
title Valorization of Camellia oleifera through integrated lignin extraction and tunable nanoparticle synthesis
title_full Valorization of Camellia oleifera through integrated lignin extraction and tunable nanoparticle synthesis
title_fullStr Valorization of Camellia oleifera through integrated lignin extraction and tunable nanoparticle synthesis
title_full_unstemmed Valorization of Camellia oleifera through integrated lignin extraction and tunable nanoparticle synthesis
title_short Valorization of Camellia oleifera through integrated lignin extraction and tunable nanoparticle synthesis
title_sort valorization of camellia oleifera through integrated lignin extraction and tunable nanoparticle synthesis
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0265408
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