Seria: NOMATEN Online Seminar

Prelegent i afiliacja: Dr. Maurice Collins, University of Limerick, Ireland

Data: April 30th, 2024

Miejsce: https://meet.goto.com/NCBJmeetings/nomaten-seminar

Streszczenie: As we head towards 2030 and 55% carbon emission reduction targets with the ultimate goal of net zero carbon by 2050. It has become evident that materials and the source of such materials will play a key role for future generations of devices and products. This along with the depletion of petroleum resources and their associated environmental impact has driven increased interest in biobased materials as potential sustainable drop-in replacements for fossil-based equivalents.  Lignocellulosic biomass, hard and soft wood, straw corncobs and other products from agriculture and forestry offers an abundant and renewable alternative to fossil-based materials. Taking a look at Lignin, it is amorphous and the only naturally occurring aromatic biopolymer, it is present in the cell wall of pith, roots, fruit, buds and bark. Currently, it is a non-valorised by product of the paper industry. The synthesis of lignin is carried out by the enzyme-initiated dehydrogenative random polymerisation of coniferyl alcohol, sinapyl alcohol and p-coumaryl alcohol and this  leads to a cross-linked and highly heterogeneous aromatic polymer with chemical and physical properties largely  determined by the syringyl (S), guaiacyl (G), and p-hydroxyphenyl content, molecular weight, the degree of branching, and purity with extraction method, e.g., kraft/organosolv, also influencing its structure. This talk addresses structure/property/processing relationships of lignin and their influence on its ultimate function/ application.  Tailoring of miscibility/ immiscibility of lignin-based blends is utilised to produce highly tuned fibres (nano and micron), hydrogels and porous materials for advanced applications in composites (automotive, construction), energy creation and storage, biomedical and sensing.