Utilization of composite particles with customizable cross-linked lignin patches for dental cleansing.

Lignin, a natural polyphenol polymer, is a biocompatible, cost-effective and accessible material. To fully utilize the benefits of lignin, it is crucial to transform its complex macromolecules into nanoscale particles in a single solvent. In this research, an assembly-mediated internal cross-linking method in single solvent was proposed to manufacture cross-linked lignin colloidal particles with nanoscale particle size controlled to be around 50 nm. Then, cross-linked lignin composite particles with a unique "patchy" structure for dental cleansing were obtained by rapidly grafting the cross-linked lignin colloidal particles onto the surface of silica microspheres through the bridging effect of silane coupling agent. The resulting composite particles have rivets with adjustable hardness, significantly lower than traditional abrasives like silica in both hardness and modulus. Through the group cleansing behavior of soft interlocking, a breakthrough has been achieved in the high solid content agglomeration friction mode of traditional abrasives, which effectively reduces tooth wear and exhibits an excellent plaque removal effect.

Nanoscale Composite Lignin Colloids with Tunable Visible Colors Used for Anti-UV Cosmetics.

Nanoscale composite lignin colloids were prepared on a large scale with a process of assembly-mediated internal cross-linking in a good solvent, thus possessing absolutely nanoscale dimensions, excellent robustness, and less aggregation. The therefore prime UV resistance and various natural visible colors contribute to the preservation and beautification of skin.

Electrospray lignin nanoparticles as Pickering emulsions stabilizers with antioxidant activity, UV barrier properties and biological safety.

The inherent complexity and large particle size of native-state lignin are the major factors limiting its performance in high value-added materials. To realize the high-value application of lignin, nanotechnology is a promising method. Therefore, we offer a nanomanufacturing approach to produce lignin nanoparticles with uniform size, regular shape and high yield using electrospray. They are efficient in stabilizing oil-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsions that remain for one month. Lignin has the abilities to demonstrate broad-spectrum UV resistance and green antioxidant properties in advanced materials, taking advantage of its inherent chemical characteristics. In addition, lignin has high safety for topical products according to an in vitro cytotoxicity test. In addition, the nanoparticle concentrations used in the emulsion were as low as 0.1 mg/ml, which maintained UV-resistant ability and overcame traditional lignin-based materials with unfavorable dark colors. Overall, lignin nanoparticles not only act as stabilizers at the water-oil interface but also realize the high functionality of lignin.

Self-assembled/composited lignin colloids utilizing for therapy, cosmetics and emulsification.

Lignin, the most abundant source of renewable aromatic compounds on the planet, is attracting more scholarly attention due to its possibility of replacing petroleum-based chemicals and products. However, it remains underutilized because of the heterogeneity of its multi-level structure that prevents homogenization and standardization of derived products. The key to solving these problems lies in finding a general preparation method to achieve the integrated utilization of lignin molecules at all levels. The assembly-mediated granulation methods provide a significant means for the integrated value-added utilization of lignin, and for biomass productization applications, it is significant to understand the molecular mechanisms of lignin nano-colloids (LNCs) formation thus accurately guiding their functionalization. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the assembly morphology and behavior of lignin in different solutions towards colloids is of great scientific importance. In this minireview, we focus on the assembly behavior of lignin in different solvents, specifically in mono-solvent and multi-solvent, and in particular, we review various methods for preparing lignin composite colloids and concentrate on the applications in therapy, cosmetics and emulsification, which are important for guiding the preparation and efficient utilization of LNCs.