Facile fabrication and characterization of kraft lignin@Fe3O4 nanocomposites using pH driven precipitation: effects on increasing lignin content

Published

April 1, 2021

Author(s)

Frankie A. Petrie, Justin Gorham, Robert T. Busch, Serhiy O. Leontsev, Esteban E. Urena-Benavides, Erick S. Vasquez

Abstract

Kraft lignin@Fe3O4 multicore nanocomposites fabrication proceeded using a simple pH-driven precipitation technique. An alkaline solution for kraft lignin (pH 12) was rapidly injected into an aqueous-based magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticle colloidal suspension (pH 7) under constant mixing conditions, allowing the fabrication of lignin magnetic nanocomposites. The study presents a complete characterization of the nanocomposites' chemical, structural, and morphological properties. The effects of increased lignin to initial Fe3O4 mass content, varying from 1 to 20, are discussed. Results showed that nanocomposites fabricated above 5:1 lignin:Fe3O4 had the highest lignin coverage and content (>20%), possessed superparamagnetic properties (Ms 45 emu/g); had a negative surface charge (-30 mV), and were stable (DH 150 nm). Lignin@Fe3O4 nanocomposites displayed heterogeneous multicore structures, allowing rapid magnetically induced separations. After 5 mins exposure to a rare-Earth neodymium magnet (0.5" x0.5" x2"), lignin@Fe3O4 nanocomposites exhibited a maximum methylene blue removal efficiency of 74.1% ± 7.1 %. Compared to previous studies, this work offers a facile assembly of kraft lignin onto magnetic nanoparticles to produce lignin@Fe3O4 nanocomposites based on pH-driven precipitation without needing organic solvents or lignin functionalization. These nanocomposites have potential in magnetically induced separations to remove organic dyes, heavy metals, or other lignin adsorbates.

Citation

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

Volume

181

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.03.105

Local Download

Keywords

Magnetite, Kraft lignin, lignin@Fe3O4 nanocomposites

Citation

Petrie, F. , Gorham, J. , Busch, R. , Leontsev, S. , Urena-Benavides, E. and Vasquez, E. (2021), Facile fabrication and characterization of kraft lignin@Fe3O4 nanocomposites using pH driven precipitation: effects on increasing lignin content, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.03.105, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=931473 (Accessed April 19, 2024)