Highly porous and oleophilic cryogels obtained from lignocellulosic nanostructures

• Grant number: 24/21240-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Rubia Figueredo Gouveia
• Grantee: Rubia Figueredo Gouveia
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Allan da Silva Pinto

Abstract

Environmental aspects combined with the economic valorization of biomass byproducts have proven to be of great scientific, technological and socioeconomic significance. Therefore, research focused on the development of innovative sustainable materials is strategic and essential for the country's development. In this context, this research's proposal aims to deconstruct sugarcane bagasse biomass into renewable nanostructures rich in lignin, such as lignocellulosic nanofibrils (LCNF) and nanolignin (NL). These nanostructures will be hierarchically organized into highly porous 3D systems (cryogels) based on LCNF and LCNF@NL. These materials can be functionalized to obtain specific properties, such as porosity, hydrophobicity and high surface area, making them an effective alternative to produce filters and/or membranes to capture environmental pollutants (e.g.: hydrophobic compounds). However, trapping pollutants in a liquid medium requires a highly porous and structurally flow-resistant material, allowing the fluid (pollutant) to permeate its porous structure and enhancing trapping efficiency. Therefore, these cryogels based on LCNF and LCNF@NL will be mechanically and structurally characterized, correlating their structure with specific properties, processing parameters and biodegradability. Additionally, cryogels will be investigated for their advanced morphological properties, being simultaneously analyzed in situ through the insertion of oils, using 4D X-ray tomography. Thus, it will be possible to modulate and understand such properties, resulting in multifunctional capabilities. Therefore, these renewable materials can be used in the development of new filters and/or membranes to capture and remove hydrophobic compounds, which can replace conventional plastic filters based on petroleum (non-renewable source). (AU)