Micro and Nanolignin in Aqueous Dispersions and Polymers : Interactions, Properties, and Applications

Micro and Nanolignin in Aqueous Dispersions and Polymers: Interactions, Properties, and Applications presents the very latest research on lignin biorefinery treatments, production, chemistry, and refining, exploring a range of innovative applications of lignin and lignin-based composites at both the micro and the nanoscale.

The book begins by presenting the latest developments in extraction methods and properties, with topics including methods for value-added microlignin, color characteristics, refining and functionalization, depolymerization for phenolic monomer production, and production of sulphur-free lignin nanoparticles. This is followed by in-depth sections focusing on the preparation of lignin for advanced applications at the microscale, then at the nanoscale, covering a range of areas such as construction, fiber manufacturing, food packaging, biomedicine, wood preservation, wastewater treatment, and agriculture.

This valuable resource enables the reader to identify the high added value of a biomass residue and supports possible development and use for mass and niche high impact application sectors. This information is of interest to researchers, scientists, and advanced students, across bio-based polymers and bio-composites, polymer science and engineering, nanomaterials, chemistry, sustainable materials, materials science, and chemical engineering. Moreover, it is also addressed to the professionals that as well as those in an R&D industrial setting to are looking on ideas and perspectives on how to utilize bio-based materials in advanced industrial applications.

• Provides detailed information on extraction methods, properties, refining and functionalization processes
• Guides the reader through the preparation of lignin both at the micro and nanoscale, as a filler, a matrix, and in all-lignin composites
• Takes a design-for-application approach, opening the door to high value applications across a range of sectors

Dr. Debora Puglia is a Researcher and Lecturer in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, at the Università degli Studi di Perugia, Italy. Involved in the development and characterization of polymeric, composite and nanocomposite materials, her research interests are related to the study of biodegradable polymers and nanocomposites, thermosetting and thermoplastic matrix composites reinforced with vegetable fibers, nanocomposites reinforced with silica, lignocellulosic and carbon nanostructures. Dr. Puglia has co-edited 1 book, authored 20 book chapters and published more than 150 papers in peer reviewed journals.

Dr. Carlo Santulli is Associate Professor of Materials Science and Technology at the Università degli Studi di Camerino, where he lectures on materials science and experimentation to industrial designers. His research interests are in composite materials and nanocomposites, natural fibres and sustainable materials, waste upcycling, bio-inspired design and biomimetics. He has around 30 years experience in this field, having worked at the Università di Roma - La Sapienza, JRC Ispra, University of Liverpool, where he got his PhD, University of Nottingham, University of Reading, and Seconda Università di Napoli. He has also been Invited Researcher and Professor at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Ecole des Mines de Saint Etienne, Université de Rouen, Università di Bologna, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Dr. Santulli has over 200 publications to his name, including a book on biomimetics.

Fabrizio Sarasini received the Laurea degree (cum laude) in Materials Engineering and the Ph.D. degree in Materials Engineering from Sapienza University of Rome in 2002 and 2007, respectively. Since June 2019 he is Associate Professor of Materials Science and Technology at the Department of Chemical Engineering Materials Environment of Sapienza University of Rome. His research interests include the use of plant fibres in biopolymers for designing biocomposites with reduced environmental impact, fibre/matrix interfacial modification and assessment, the valorization of agro-industrial wastes as fillers in thermoplastic matrices (micro- and nanoscale), 3D printing of polymers and polymer matrix composites, the low and high velocity impact response of composite materials for structural applications. He has directed or co-directed three PhD theses and has been responsible for four collaborative research programs. He has more than 160 international peer-reviewed journal papers.