The booming lignin-derived functional composites/nanocomposites

Abstract

Biobased materials are increasingly gaining prominence in the field of advanced ecofriendly materials, and biomass-derived functional composites are exhibiting immense promise due to their superior manufacturability, flexibility, and eco-efficiency. In recent years, many enlightening and remarkable works and multiple emerging functional composites have been achieved from lignin polymer. Lignin-derived functional composites (LFCs) can be tailored into diverse favorable blocks across multiple domains. Here, we review the state-of-the-art advances in the development and application of lignin-based advanced functional composites in several rising fields. The macromolecular structure and intrinsic properties of lignin are firstly elaborated in terms of versatile material fabrication. We then categorize the manufacturing strategies of lignin-derived building blocks for 3D printing, nanomaterials, hydrogels, biodegradable composites and electrochemical materials. In particular, their applications in environment, biomedicine, sensor, functional packaging, and energy storage are highlighted. Finally, we shed light on the bottlenecks and challenges of LFCs, and some potential opportunities and future prospects for novel biobased materials are discussed. We anticipate harnessing the potential of lignin-derived materials by leveraging green chemistry and viable technologies to facilitate biobased material development.