Direct production of lignin-containing cellulose nanofibril (LCNF) and nanopaper (LCNP) from marginal wood for food packaging
The purpose of this project is to develop an easy process to prepare lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNFs) from marginal wood such as timber residues from forest thinning projects. Adding lignin to cellulose nanofibrils improves thermal stability, UV-blocking performance, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial ability, and water-resistant properties. However, the preparation of LCNFs by pure mechanical fibrillation is more challenging than that of cellulose nanofibrils from bleached pulp due to the recalcitrant lignocellulosic structure and the hydrophobic nature of lignin. Because of this, pretreating lignocellulosic biomass before mechanical fibrillation is energy- and cost-intensive.
Our preliminary study indicated that LCNF can be produced from ground wood with molten salt hydrate (MSH) pretreatment followed by mechanical fibrillation.
Expected Results
The success of the project would offer an alternative approach to produce high-value LCNF and LCNP from low-value marginal wood sources with improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
People
Principal Investigators
-
Person
Hoon Kim, PhD
Research Chemisthttps://research.fs.usda.gov/about/people/hoon.kim -
Person
Junyong Zhu, PhD
Research General Engineerhttps://research.fs.usda.gov/about/people/junyong.zhu
Collaborators
Xuejun Pan, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Haisun Du, University of Wisconsin–Madison