Colloidal lignin nanoparticles from acid hydrotropic fractionation for producing tough, biodegradable, and UV blocking PVA nanocomposite

Colloidal lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) from low temperature acid hydrotropic fractionation (AHF) of poplar wood and commercial alkali using p-Toluenesulfonic (p-TsOH) were directly mixed with PVA to make PVA/AHF-LNP nanocomposite films. p-TsOH itself acted as a plasticizer for PVA; however the application alone reduced film tensile strength therefore toughness. At proper loadings LNPs p-TsOH, both failure strain composites improved. The formation hydrogen bonding between p-TsOH/AHF-LNP aggregates hydroxyl groups on molecular chains, breakage reforming aggregates, along nanophase crazing due presence identified main mechanisms improving toughness nanocomposite. composite also had improved UV shielding performance biodegradability compared neat PVA. This could be used biodegradable anti-ultraviolet packing film.