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Polymers
Volume 17
Issue 16
10.3390/polym17162263
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Review

Valorization of Agro-Industrial Lignin as a Functional Polymer for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment

by
Elena Ungureanu
1,
Bogdan-Marian Tofanica
1,*,
Eugen Ulea
1,
Ovidiu C. Ungureanu
2,
Maria E. Fortună
3,*,
Răzvan Rotaru
3,
Irina Volf
4 and
Valentin I. Popa
4
1
“Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 3 Mihail Sadoveanu Alley, 700490 Iasi, Romania
2
“Vasile Goldis” Western University of Arad, 94 the Boulevard of the Revolution, 310025 Arad, Romania
3
“Petru Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania
4
“Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 73 Prof. Dr. Docent Mangeron Boulevard, 700050 Iasi, Romania
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Polymers 2025, 17(16), 2263; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17162263
Submission received: 9 July 2025 / Revised: 19 August 2025 / Accepted: 20 August 2025 / Published: 21 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Polymers for Emerging Applications)
Versions Notes

Abstract

The rational design of functional and sustainable polymers is central to addressing global environmental challenges. In this context, unmodified lignin derived from Sarkanda grass (Tripidium bengalense), an abundant agro-industrial lignocellulosic byproduct, was systematically investigated as a natural polymeric adsorbent for the remediation of aqueous media contaminated with heavy metals. The study evaluates lignin’s behavior toward nine metal(loid) ions: arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, nickel, lead, and zinc. Adsorption performance was systematically investigated under static batch conditions, optimizing key parameters, with equilibrium and kinetic data modeled using established isotherms and rate equations. Surface characterization and seed germination bioassays provided supporting evidence. Unmodified Sarkanda grass lignin demonstrated effective adsorption, exhibiting a clear preference for Cu(II) followed by other divalent cations, with lower capacities for As(III) and Cr(VI). Adsorption kinetics consistently followed a pseudo-second-order model, indicating chemisorption as the dominant mechanism. Thermodynamic studies revealed spontaneous and endothermic processes. Bioassays confirmed significant reduction in aqueous toxicity and strong metal sequestration. This work positions unmodified Sarkanda grass lignin as a bio-based, low-cost polymer platform for emerging water treatment technologies, contributing to circular bioeconomy goals and highlighting the potential of natural polymers in sustainable materials design. 
Keywords: Sarkanda grass lignin; sorption; heavy metals; biopolymer; germination Sarkanda grass lignin; sorption; heavy metals; biopolymer; germination

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MDPI and ACS Style

Ungureanu, E.; Tofanica, B.-M.; Ulea, E.; Ungureanu, O.C.; Fortună, M.E.; Rotaru, R.; Volf, I.; Popa, V.I. Valorization of Agro-Industrial Lignin as a Functional Polymer for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment. Polymers 2025, 17, 2263. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17162263

AMA Style

Ungureanu E, Tofanica B-M, Ulea E, Ungureanu OC, Fortună ME, Rotaru R, Volf I, Popa VI. Valorization of Agro-Industrial Lignin as a Functional Polymer for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment. Polymers. 2025; 17(16):2263. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17162263

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ungureanu, Elena, Bogdan-Marian Tofanica, Eugen Ulea, Ovidiu C. Ungureanu, Maria E. Fortună, Răzvan Rotaru, Irina Volf, and Valentin I. Popa. 2025. "Valorization of Agro-Industrial Lignin as a Functional Polymer for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment" Polymers 17, no. 16: 2263. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17162263

APA Style

Ungureanu, E., Tofanica, B.-M., Ulea, E., Ungureanu, O. C., Fortună, M. E., Rotaru, R., Volf, I., & Popa, V. I. (2025). Valorization of Agro-Industrial Lignin as a Functional Polymer for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment. Polymers, 17(16), 2263. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17162263

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