ORS9-0048
From Lignin to Light-Responsive Nanocoatings: Lignin-derived (Meth)acrylate Materialsacrylate Materials
When and Where
Nov 30, -0001
12:00am - 12:00am
Presenter(s)
Thi Thanh Tam Huynh (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Transforming lignin, the most abundant renewable source of aromatic carbon, into functional and processable materials remains a significant challenge in sustainable polymer design. This study presents lignin-derived (meth)acrylates, a solvent-free and atom-economical platform that converts depolymerized hardwood lignin into bioaromatic (meth)acrylic photobiopolymers, integrating renewable chemistry with multifunctional interfacial performance. Depolymerized lignin is initially glycidylated to produce glycidylated lignin (GDL), which is subsequently blended with glycerol triglycidyl ether (GTE). GTE, which may be partially or wholly bioderived, enhances miscibility, flexibility, and processability. The resulting viscous GDL/GTE blend is then (meth)acrylated with (meth)acrylic acid, which can potentially be sourced from renewable resources. The lignin-derived (meth)acrylate resins are reacted under stoichiometric, solvent-free conditions to yield bio-resins that can be directly UV-cured into transparent, water-repellent, and conformal coatings. These coatings form stable interfaces across diverse media, including air, water, wood, glass, and hydrogels. In addition to their structural and protective functions, lignin-derived methacrylate coatings exhibit intrinsic bioaromatic fluorescence due to covalently stabilized lignin chromophores within the glycerol-based matrix. This inherent photonic functionality enables light-activated optical logic, camouflage patterning, and integration into soft or aqueous environments. Overall, these findings demonstrate that molecular hybridization of lignin and glycerol bridges green chemistry, interfacial materials design, and photonic functionality, establishing lignin-derived methacrylates as a versatile platform for sustainable, multifunctional, and photoactive materials predominantly derived from renewable carbon.
