Synthesis Methods of Graphene from Lignin (SMGL)
Description:
Overview of Technology
A synthesis method of graphene nanosheets from lignin using thermal treatment processes. This subject matter relates to a method for synthesizing carbon nanomaterials such as graphene nanosheets from wood by-products such as lignin using a thermal treatment process.
Background
Lignin refers to:
- kraft lignin (thiolignin) and lignosulfonate (LS) from the pulping process
- sulfur-free lignin from biomass conversion technologies
- other lignin products and derivatives from unusual plant sources or experimental pulping processes
Description of Technology
This method can produce graphene nanosheets using thermal treatment processes at 800-1100 degrees Celsius in the presence of Fe Catalyst with the protection of inert atmospheres eg. Argon or nitrogen gas.
Lignin naturally has a bonded aromatic ring structure that makes the thermal conversion of lignin to graphene nanosheets much easier than that of wood carbohydrates such as cellulose and hemicelluloses which are composed of hybridized carbon atoms.
Additional to the graphene nanosheets synthesized from lignin, cooking chemicals left in the lignin during the pulping operation can be also recovered from this process. SEM and HRTEM images, Raman spectra and X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the existence of graphene nanosheets produced from this process.
Benefits
Graphene nanosheets can be prepared from technical sodium lignosulfonates by a simple thermal treatment in the presence of an Fe catalyst. Although further studies are needed for this graphene synthesis method, this study suggested a possibility that lignin can be a unique valuable carbon source for the synthesis of graphene.
This method is also very simple and cost effective compared to current methods.
Applications
These graphene nanosheets have potential applications in Nano‑electronic devices, energy storage, chemical probes, biosensors, biomedical, biological sensing materials, composites etc.
Opportunity
Utilization of lignin from pulping operations to produce high value-added carbon-based nanomaterials develops many potential new applications for by-products from processing renewable wood and agricultural residues.