Lignin as a Sustainable Material: Present Advances and Future Perspectives
A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Processes".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 January 2027 | Viewed by 3
Special Issue Editors
Interests: lignin-based polymers; polymer chemistry; lignin modification; nanocomposites; polymer blends; polymer adhesives; structure–property relationships
Interests: lignocellulosic biomass; lignin-based polymers; biomass chemical modification; bio-based polymer materials; polymer adhesives; structure–property relationships
Interests: lignin-based polymers; polymer chemistry; lignin modification; structure–property relationships; nanocomposites; polymer adhesives; surface chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Lignin, owing to its wide availability, aromatic structure, and rich functionality, offers opportunities for the partial replacement of fossil-based feedstocks and for use as a functional filler or precursor in reactive systems, including polyurethanes, thermosets, adhesives, and coatings. From a technological perspective, lignin is also being explored in polymer blends and composites as a value-added route to tailor properties such as stiffness, thermal stability, and UV protection. However, the use of lignins in advanced materials is hindered by key challenges, particularly structural variability arising from botanical source and pulping processes, as well as dispersion and interfacial compatibility. In this context, fractionation, chemical modification, and interface engineering are expected to enable more consistent performance and support higher value-added applications aligned with biomass valorization and circular economy strategies.
This special issue on “Lignin as a Sustainable Material: Present Advances and Future Perspectives” seeks high-quality works focusing on the latest advances in lignin, its modifications, and applications. Topics include, but are not limited to:
- Lignin valorization strategies and pathways toward higher value-added applications;
- Chemical modification and functionalization of lignin;
- Depolymerization routes;
- Interface engineering and compatibilization in lignin-based polymer blend and composite systems;
- Technological applications of lignin-containing systems.
Dr. Rogério Ramos De Sousa Junior
Dr. Guilherme Elias Saltarelli Garcia
Dr. Demetrio Jackson Dos Santos
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- lignin valorization
- lignin functionalization
- lignin fractionation
- lignin depolymerization
- interface engineering
- compatibilization
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