Unravelling the impact of lignin particle size and content on enhanced value in plastic composites

The shift towards a sustainable plastics economy is driving interest in agricultural waste and byproducts for plastic composites, offering benefits like enhanced sustainability, reduced costs, and improved mechanical properties. Lignin, one of the three main components of lignocellulosic biomass, is...

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Main Authors: Zoi Terzopoulou, Christina Pappa, Konstantinos Triantafyllidis, Dimitrios N. Bikiaris
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949839224001378
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author Zoi Terzopoulou
Christina Pappa
Konstantinos Triantafyllidis
Dimitrios N. Bikiaris
author_facet Zoi Terzopoulou
Christina Pappa
Konstantinos Triantafyllidis
Dimitrios N. Bikiaris
author_sort Zoi Terzopoulou
collection DOAJ
description The shift towards a sustainable plastics economy is driving interest in agricultural waste and byproducts for plastic composites, offering benefits like enhanced sustainability, reduced costs, and improved mechanical properties. Lignin, one of the three main components of lignocellulosic biomass, is a promising filler for polymer composites due to its abundance, reactivity, and functional properties, despite challenges in extraction and processing. This review examines the impact of lignin particle size reduction, from microparticles (LMPs) to nanoparticles (LNPs), on the properties of polymer composites, focusing on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and other polyesters. Reducing lignin particle size can enhance stress transfer and particle wetting in the matrix, although optimal size thresholds and filler contents for desired properties remain uncertain. The paper discusses lignin's characteristics based on source and size reduction method, its functionalization for better dispersion, and various preparation methods of lignin-containing composites. Applications in packaging and are agriculture are highlighted, with an emphasis on achieving a balance between improved properties, cost efficiency, and environmental impact. Finally, it highlights the need for standardized reporting on lignin’s origin, isolation method, molecular weight, Tg, and particle size to enable effective comparisons and advancements in lignin-based polymer composites.
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spelling doaj-art-67ef3dc695864f0ba8c72151dbe3282e2025-08-20T02:47:45ZengElsevierSustainable Chemistry for the Environment2949-83922025-03-01910019410.1016/j.scenv.2024.100194Unravelling the impact of lignin particle size and content on enhanced value in plastic compositesZoi Terzopoulou0Christina Pappa1Konstantinos Triantafyllidis2Dimitrios N. Bikiaris3Laboratory of Polymer and Colors Chemistry and Technology, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece; Laboratory of Industrial Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Greece; Corresponding author at: Laboratory of Polymer and Colors Chemistry and Technology, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, GreeceLaboratory of Chemical and Environmental Technology, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, GreeceLaboratory of Chemical and Environmental Technology, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, GreeceLaboratory of Polymer and Colors Chemistry and Technology, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, GreeceThe shift towards a sustainable plastics economy is driving interest in agricultural waste and byproducts for plastic composites, offering benefits like enhanced sustainability, reduced costs, and improved mechanical properties. Lignin, one of the three main components of lignocellulosic biomass, is a promising filler for polymer composites due to its abundance, reactivity, and functional properties, despite challenges in extraction and processing. This review examines the impact of lignin particle size reduction, from microparticles (LMPs) to nanoparticles (LNPs), on the properties of polymer composites, focusing on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and other polyesters. Reducing lignin particle size can enhance stress transfer and particle wetting in the matrix, although optimal size thresholds and filler contents for desired properties remain uncertain. The paper discusses lignin's characteristics based on source and size reduction method, its functionalization for better dispersion, and various preparation methods of lignin-containing composites. Applications in packaging and are agriculture are highlighted, with an emphasis on achieving a balance between improved properties, cost efficiency, and environmental impact. Finally, it highlights the need for standardized reporting on lignin’s origin, isolation method, molecular weight, Tg, and particle size to enable effective comparisons and advancements in lignin-based polymer composites.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949839224001378ligninnanoligninpolymer compositesgreen additives
spellingShingle Zoi Terzopoulou
Christina Pappa
Konstantinos Triantafyllidis
Dimitrios N. Bikiaris
Unravelling the impact of lignin particle size and content on enhanced value in plastic composites
Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment
lignin
nanolignin
polymer composites
green additives
title Unravelling the impact of lignin particle size and content on enhanced value in plastic composites
title_full Unravelling the impact of lignin particle size and content on enhanced value in plastic composites
title_fullStr Unravelling the impact of lignin particle size and content on enhanced value in plastic composites
title_full_unstemmed Unravelling the impact of lignin particle size and content on enhanced value in plastic composites
title_short Unravelling the impact of lignin particle size and content on enhanced value in plastic composites
title_sort unravelling the impact of lignin particle size and content on enhanced value in plastic composites
topic lignin
nanolignin
polymer composites
green additives
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949839224001378
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AT christinapappa unravellingtheimpactofligninparticlesizeandcontentonenhancedvalueinplasticcomposites
AT konstantinostriantafyllidis unravellingtheimpactofligninparticlesizeandcontentonenhancedvalueinplasticcomposites
AT dimitriosnbikiaris unravellingtheimpactofligninparticlesizeandcontentonenhancedvalueinplasticcomposites