Lignin: From Nature to Advanced Materials

Dear Colleagues,

Lignin, a bio-based renewable compound that can be used to obtain valuable low-molecular-weight products or hybrid materials, has become one of the most important biopolymers obtained from biomass in the twenty-first century. The attractiveness of lignin is increasing due to the intensive development of low-waste technologies and methods of effective processing of bioavailable materials. The potential of this biopolymer, underappreciated for many years, is being rediscovered and utilized. Research is being done with the aim of defining the structure of lignin and characterizing the factors that determine it. This biopolymer has become a promising source for obtaining small-molecule organic compounds. The multiplicity of identified functional groups provides a basis for its use in adsorption. Furthermore, lignin is becoming a platform for obtaining highly advanced sensors and/or biosensors. The variety of applications of lignin means that it is currently one of the most intensively developed materials.
The number of studies which emphasize the importance of lignin for the development of related materials topic is still limited. Hence, it seems that the materials presented in the framework of the proposed Special Issue will be of interest for many scientists and will contribute to the intensification of scientific work in this field.
This Special Issue aims to cover recent progress and trends in the utilization of lignin or modified/de-polymerized lignin in chemical synthesis, design of functional materials and/or biomaterials, as polymer fillers, cement admixtures, and others.
Submissions are welcome but not limited to the topics listed below. Types of contributions to this Special Isssue can be full research articles, short communications, and reviews focusing on the utilization of lignin for chemicals and functional materials.

• Chemical modification/depolymerization of lignin;
• Combustion/co-combustion of lignin for energy;
• Gasification of lignin for syngas/hydrogen;
• Production of bio-aromatic chemicals from lignin;
• Synthesis of bio-based polymeric materials from lignin (e.g., resins, polymer composites, cement admixtures);
• Design of lignin-based hybrid materials;
• Practical utylity of lignin and lignin-based materials.

Dr. Łukasz Klapiszewski
Prof. Teofil Jesionowski
Guest Editors

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