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A strong, biodegradable and recyclable lignocellulosic bioplastic

Author

Listed:
  • Qinqin Xia

    (University of Maryland)

  • Chaoji Chen

    (University of Maryland)

  • Yonggang Yao

    (University of Maryland)

  • Jianguo Li

    (University of Maryland)

  • Shuaiming He

    (University of Maryland)

  • Yubing Zhou

    (University of Maryland)

  • Teng Li

    (University of Maryland)

  • Xuejun Pan

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Yuan Yao

    (Yale University)

  • Liangbing Hu

    (University of Maryland
    University of Maryland)

Abstract

Renewable and biodegradable materials derived from biomass are attractive candidates to replace non-biodegradable petrochemical plastics. However, the mechanical performance and wet stability of biomass are generally insufficient for practical applications. Herein, we report a facile in situ lignin regeneration strategy to synthesize a high-performance bioplastic from lignocellulosic resources (for example, wood). In this process, the porous matrix of natural wood is deconstructed to form a homogeneous cellulose–lignin slurry that features nanoscale entanglement and hydrogen bonding between the regenerated lignin and cellulose micro/nanofibrils. The resulting lignocellulosic bioplastic shows high mechanical strength, excellent water stability, ultraviolet-light resistance and improved thermal stability. Furthermore, the lignocellulosic bioplastic has a lower environmental impact as it can be easily recycled or safely biodegraded in the natural environment. This in situ lignin regeneration strategy involving only green and recyclable chemicals provides a promising route to producing strong, biodegradable and sustainable lignocellulosic bioplastic as a promising alternative to petrochemical plastics.

Suggested Citation

  • Qinqin Xia & Chaoji Chen & Yonggang Yao & Jianguo Li & Shuaiming He & Yubing Zhou & Teng Li & Xuejun Pan & Yuan Yao & Liangbing Hu, 2021. "A strong, biodegradable and recyclable lignocellulosic bioplastic," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(7), pages 627-635, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:4:y:2021:i:7:d:10.1038_s41893-021-00702-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-021-00702-w
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    Cited by:

    1. Song, Wenlu & He, Yu & Huang, Rui & Li, Jianfeng & Yu, Yujie & Xia, Peng, 2023. "Life cycle assessment of deep-eutectic-solvent-assisted hydrothermal disintegration of microalgae for biodiesel and biogas co-production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    2. Siyuan Fang & Xingyi Lyu & Tian Tong & Aniqa Ibnat Lim & Tao Li & Jiming Bao & Yun Hang Hu, 2023. "Turning dead leaves into an active multifunctional material as evaporator, photocatalyst, and bioplastic," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Swikriti Khadke & Pragya Gupta & Shanmukh Rachakunta & Chandreswar Mahata & Suma Dawn & Mohit Sharma & Deepak Verma & Aniruddha Pradhan & Ambati Mounika Sai Krishna & Seeram Ramakrishna & Sabyasachi C, 2021. "Efficient Plastic Recycling and Remolding Circular Economy Using the Technology of Trust–Blockchain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-15, August.
    4. Erfan Oliaei & Peter Olsén & Tom Lindström & Lars A. Berglund, 2022. "Highly reinforced and degradable lignocellulose biocomposites by polymerization of new polyester oligomers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.

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