Issue 4, 2024

Tailoring lignin nanoparticle properties: the effects of pH and salt on shape and antioxidant capacity

Abstract

In this study we explore the extent to which we can tune lignin nanoparticles produced in a biorefinery that couples a microbial electrolysis cell to lignin depolymerization. We vary the salt type and pH and monitor the size and shape of the nanoparticles, as well as the antioxidant capacity of the mixture. We found that the salt type influences the shape of the lignin nanoparticles – ranging from spherical (phosphate) to rod-like (nitrate and chloride) and flower-like (carbonate). Additionally, the shape and the size influence the antioxidant capacity due to changes in the surface area to volume ratio. The flower-like nanoparticles have a high surface area to volume ratio and the highest antioxidant capacity, which is similar to that of the industrial benchmark antioxidant, Trolox. The antioxidant capacity of the lignin nanoparticles illustrates their high potential value in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, personal care, and agricultural industries.

Graphical abstract: Tailoring lignin nanoparticle properties: the effects of pH and salt on shape and antioxidant capacity

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
19 Oct 2023
Accepted
30 Jan 2024
First published
06 Feb 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Sustain., 2024,2, 988-994

Tailoring lignin nanoparticle properties: the effects of pH and salt on shape and antioxidant capacity

N. Obrzut, R. Hickmott and K. Gray, RSC Sustain., 2024, 2, 988 DOI: 10.1039/D3SU00380A

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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