About Hydrophobicity of Lignin: A Review of Selected Chemical Methods for Lignin Valorisation in Biopolymer Production
Anton Lisý,
Aleš Ház,
Richard Nadányi,
Michal Jablonský,
Igor Šurina
Affiliations
Anton Lisý
Department of Wood, Pulp and Paper, Institute of Natural and Synthetic Polymers, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology STU in Bratislava, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia
Aleš Ház
Department of Wood, Pulp and Paper, Institute of Natural and Synthetic Polymers, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology STU in Bratislava, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia
Richard Nadányi
Department of Wood, Pulp and Paper, Institute of Natural and Synthetic Polymers, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology STU in Bratislava, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia
Michal Jablonský
Department of Wood, Pulp and Paper, Institute of Natural and Synthetic Polymers, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology STU in Bratislava, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia
Igor Šurina
Department of Wood, Pulp and Paper, Institute of Natural and Synthetic Polymers, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology STU in Bratislava, 81237 Bratislava, Slovakia
Lignin is the second most abundant renewable natural polymer that occurs on Earth, and as such, it should be widely utilised by industries in a variety of applications. However, these applications and possible research seem to be limited or prevented by a variety of factors, mainly the high heterogeneity of lignin. Selective modifications of the structure and of functional groups allow better properties in material applications, whereas the separation of different qualitative lignin groups permits selective application in industry. This review is aimed at modification of the lignin structure, increasing the hydrophobicity of the produced materials, and focusing on several perspective modifications for industrial-scale production of lignin-based polymers, as well as challenges, opportunities, and other important factors to take into consideration.
