Wood-based phase-change composites are promising for solar-thermal energy storage and thermal regulation. However, native wood limits phase-change material (PCM) uptake, whereas extensive delignification removes lignin’s intrinsic light-harvesting capacity. We developed a cell−wall nano-engineering approach using aqueous p-toluenesulfonic acid to partially remove hemicellulose and redistribute retained lignin. This treatment increased cell-wall accessibility while preserving the wood's photothermal function. After impregnation with poly(ethylene glycol) impregnation, the resulting composite achieved a melting enthalpy of 154.9 J g−1 and an encapsulation efficiency of 78.5%. It showed no visible leakage at 80 °C and maintained stable thermal-storage performance over 100 heating−cooling cycles (differential scanning calorimetry). Lignin redistribution and reassembly within the cell wall also improved water repellency and moisture resistance. Compared with native- and delignified-wood controls, the composite showed stronger broadband absorption and an apparent photothermal conversion efficiency of 83.2% under two-sun irradiation. This lignin-retaining strategy integrates physical PCM confinement, thermal storage, and intrinsic photothermal conversion without requiring additional light absorbers.
Carbon-based shape-stabilized phase change materials (SSPCMs) are promising for thermal energy storage, but their performance is often limited by low PCM loading. Enhancing the compatibility between the PCM and supporting matrix is an effective approach to address this issue. Herein, biomass waste was converted into ac...
Sustainable development underpins strategies for mitigating environmental challenges through the design of resource-efficient materials and energy-conscious systems. Phase-change materials (PCMs) show substantial potential for addressing challenges in thermal energy storage and regulation. Yet, their performance is oft...
Dimberu G. Atinafu, H. Kua, Yu-Jin Kang et al.· Biochar· 1 citation
To advance the high-value utilization of lignin and develop sustainable materials for clean energy applications, a fully bioderived polyimine vitrimer (VL) was synthesized through an energy-efficient room-temperature process by covalently integrating levulinic acid-modified lignin with a soybean oil-derived diamine....
R. Qi, Fei Song, Li-Hong Hu et al.· ACS Applied Polymer Material...· 0 citations
As a major byproduct of the pulp and paper industry, lignosulfonates can be converted into photothermoelectric gels via their inherent structural advantages, offering an effective pathway for high-value utilization of agricultural and forestry wastes, source reduction of plastic pollution, and circular economy developm...
Ju-Chun Liu, He-Bang Li, Tian-Long He et al.· Biosensors & bioelectronics· 0 citations
Phase change microcapsules are attractive thermal regulation fillers; however, their integration into polymer matrices remains limited by weak interfacial compatibility and structural deterioration during processing. Herein, a sustainable dual-role lignin interfacial engineering strategy is proposed to address these ch...
Yu-Han Chen, Jing-Yi Liang, Zhuo-Na Liao et al.· International Journal of Bio...· 0 citations
Pectin films are promising renewable materials for biodegradable coatings; however, their high hydrophilicity and limited resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation restrict practical applications. This work investigated the influence of kraft lignin (0–5 wt%) on the structure–property relationships of grape-derived pect...
Amanda Marcely Reis, C. M. Cholant, Lincoln Audrew Cordeiro et al.· Journal of Composites Scienc...· 0 citations
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