Lignin Nanoparticles Stabilized Pickering Emulsion as a new platform for sustainable functional materials

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K05156
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 34030:Green sustainable chemistry and environmental chemistry-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (2022-2023); Meisei University (2021)
• Principal Investigator: Ago Mariko 東京農工大学, 農学部, 寄付講座教員 (90389172)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 上本 道久 明星大学, 理工学部, 教授 (00176645)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: リグニン / ナノ粒子 / エアロゾルフロー / 表面エネルギー / ピッカリングエマルション / コロイド粒子 / バイオマス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The main objective of this study was to develop Pickering emulsions using lignin nanoparticles and to develop a new material design method. First, spherical lignin nano- to microparticles were synthesized by an aerosol flow method using kraft lignin and lignin sulfonic acid. To evaluate the properties of the obtained lignin microparticles, morphology, average particle size, and particle size distribution of the lignin microparticles were investigated. Pickering emulsions were then prepared using the lignin microparticles, and their stability was investigated. The results showed that o/w-type Pickering emulsions were formed and stabilized over a period of several months. As examples of application development, environmental purification materials and　adhesive were synthesized, and their functionality was evaluated.

Free Research Field

木質科学，高分子材料学，コロイド化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の主材料であるリグニンは，バイオマス資源であることから脱炭素社会の実現に向け，カーボンニュートラルな機能性材料として，用途展範が期待される。化石由来ポリマー微粒子を代替することが可能であることから，昨今顕在化しているマイクロプラスチック問題の解決策となる。
リグニンはこれまで未利用バイオマスとして位置づけられ，有効活用が進んでいなかったが，本提案のリグニン微粒子の開発によって，停滞していたリグニン活用を解決する一方，ひいては製紙産業，森林産業の活性化にもつながる。