Due to the negative impact of synthetic petroleum-based polymers on the environment and human health, as well as the drive for a sustainable, closed-loop economy, environmental protection and the depletion of petroleum resources, recent years have seen a growing interest in polymers of natural origin, which, due to their renewable nature, unique properties and wide availability, are potential components in many advanced applications. The use of renewable resources, including biomass, as a raw material for the production of new polymer-based materials is becoming increasingly important. Biomass-derived lignin has great potential due to both its specific chemical structure and properties, hence numerous attempts are being made to use this material within the framework of so-called high added value. Along with cellulose or hemicellulose, it is the main component of woody biomass, and its share varies depending on the type of plant, but is most often around 20%. The popularity that lignin is gaining in recent years is related to intensive research work devoted to, among other things, its isolation, functionalization, characterization, as well as new directions for its applications. It can be used in two forms both as an unmodified biopolymer (component or as embedded in a matrix) and modified (fragmentation, depolymerization of lignin, modification through the creation of new chemically active sites; chemical modification mainly of hydroxyl groups) used for the production of a new generation of functional materials, biomaterials, hybrid materials and polymers with special properties.
Biopolymers such lignin can be used in two forms both as an unmodified biopolymer (component or as embedded in a matrix) and modified (fragmentation, depolymerization of lignin, modification through the creation of new chemically active sites; chemical modification mainly of hydroxyl groups) used for the production of a new generation of functional materials, biomaterials, hybrid materials and polymers with special properties.
The purpose of this Research Topic is to provide state-of-the-art knowledge, technology and highlight advances in the prospects of environmentally friendly natural polymers from biomass with special consideration of lignin from the wood industry and research related to polymer matrix interactions with lignin and other studies focusing on all aspects of the manufacture, modification, characterization and application of biopolymers and lignin-polymer composites.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Innovative lignin recovery technologies/isolation of lignin from different types of biomass with particular consideration of wood industry
• Lignin as a renewable raw material for the production of biofuels and chemicals
• Modification of lignin
• Synthesis of bio-based polymeric materials from lignin
• Design of hybrid materials based on lignin
• Practical utilization and application areas of lignin and lignin-based materials
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Keywords:
polymers and biopolymers, lignin from biomass, functionalized lignin, lignin-based composites, advanced materials, sustainable applications
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Due to the negative impact of synthetic petroleum-based polymers on the environment and human health, as well as the drive for a sustainable, closed-loop economy, environmental protection and the depletion of petroleum resources, recent years have seen a growing interest in polymers of natural origin, which, due to their renewable nature, unique properties and wide availability, are potential components in many advanced applications. The use of renewable resources, including biomass, as a raw material for the production of new polymer-based materials is becoming increasingly important. Biomass-derived lignin has great potential due to both its specific chemical structure and properties, hence numerous attempts are being made to use this material within the framework of so-called high added value. Along with cellulose or hemicellulose, it is the main component of woody biomass, and its share varies depending on the type of plant, but is most often around 20%. The popularity that lignin is gaining in recent years is related to intensive research work devoted to, among other things, its isolation, functionalization, characterization, as well as new directions for its applications. It can be used in two forms both as an unmodified biopolymer (component or as embedded in a matrix) and modified (fragmentation, depolymerization of lignin, modification through the creation of new chemically active sites; chemical modification mainly of hydroxyl groups) used for the production of a new generation of functional materials, biomaterials, hybrid materials and polymers with special properties.
Biopolymers such lignin can be used in two forms both as an unmodified biopolymer (component or as embedded in a matrix) and modified (fragmentation, depolymerization of lignin, modification through the creation of new chemically active sites; chemical modification mainly of hydroxyl groups) used for the production of a new generation of functional materials, biomaterials, hybrid materials and polymers with special properties.
The purpose of this Research Topic is to provide state-of-the-art knowledge, technology and highlight advances in the prospects of environmentally friendly natural polymers from biomass with special consideration of lignin from the wood industry and research related to polymer matrix interactions with lignin and other studies focusing on all aspects of the manufacture, modification, characterization and application of biopolymers and lignin-polymer composites.
We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Innovative lignin recovery technologies/isolation of lignin from different types of biomass with particular consideration of wood industry
• Lignin as a renewable raw material for the production of biofuels and chemicals
• Modification of lignin
• Synthesis of bio-based polymeric materials from lignin
• Design of hybrid materials based on lignin
• Practical utilization and application areas of lignin and lignin-based materials
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Keywords:
polymers and biopolymers, lignin from biomass, functionalized lignin, lignin-based composites, advanced materials, sustainable applications
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.