Toward waste valorization by converting bioethanol production residues into nanoparticles and nanocomposite films

A “waste-valorization” approach was developed to transform recalcitrant hydrolysis lignin (HL) from second-generation bioethanol production into multifunctional bio-based products. The extracted with aqueous acetone, yielding two fractions enriched in and cellulose, respectively. soluble (SHL) converted anionic cationic colloidal particles (CLPs c-CLPs). insoluble cellulose-rich fraction transformed lignocellulosic nanofibrils that were further combined CLPs or c-CLPs obtain nanocomposite films tailored mechanical properties, oxygen permeability antioxidant properties. To enable prospective applications of beyond, also produced a soda (SL) the influence type on particle size ecotoxicity evaluated. Finally, carbon footprint entire process assessed an integration industrial scale considered reduce energy consumption. While most previous work utilizes purified pristine often cellulose fibers produce nanomaterials, this provides proof concept for utilizing lignin-rich side stream as raw material functional nanomaterials renewable composites.