37. Lignin for Nanoparticle Synthesis

Lignin is a complex polymer commercially useful in industrial and agricultural activities. The intricate chemical composition of lignin has attracted significant attention for its potential use as a raw material in synthesizing alternative compounds. Despite increasing interest in valorizing lignin, most of it is still primarily used as an energy source, and only a small number of lignin-derived compounds have been successfully developed on an industrial scale. Since lignin nanoparticles may be used in biological and environmental domains, it is critical to apply simple, safe, affordable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly methods to produce nanoparticles that adhere to an eco-friendly approach. This chapter addresses the technological barriers and difficulties in efficiently transforming lignin moieties into added-value products. The development of lignin-based products requires a variety of modification processes. However, these pathways are significantly influenced by the chemical structure of lignin. This chapter highlights the significant impact of commercial lignin extraction methods on the properties of the resulting technical lignin. Ultimately, these properties dictate its ability to interact with other substances, producing valorized lignin-derived materials tailored for diverse applications. A summary of current approaches to technical lignin functionalization is also provided, along with their significant recent advancements in the synthesis of lignin nanoparticles utilizing lignin structure, including their greener synthetic approach.