Fundamental Investigation of Novel Bark-Based Lignocellulosic Nanofibrils for Composite Applications

用于复合材料应用的新型树皮木质纤维素纳米原纤维的基础研究

• 批准号: RGPIN-2017-06737
• 负责人: Yan, Ning
• 金额: $ 3.42万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=712357
• 关键词: Fundamental; Investigation; Novel; Bark; Based

There is a growing interest in utilizing renewable biomass materials to produce environmentally friendly products due to the concern for fossil fuel depletion and climate change. Bark, a waste stream produced in large quantities in saw mills and pulp and paper operations, is a valuable source of biomass that has found only a few low-valued usages in the industry. Over the last 6 years, we have developed extraction and conversion technologies for obtaining polyphenolic compounds from bark and to make value-added bark-based adhesives, resins, and foam products. However, depending on the wood species, a significant amount of solid residues still remain after the extraction. In order to realize the full potential of a bark biorefinery, utilization of all bark fractions, including the bark extraction residues, is necessary. The proposed NSERC Discovery application complements and extends our past work on bark biorefinery to focus on fundamental understanding of the nanofibrillation process of converting the bark extraction residues to highly promising novel bark-based lignocellulosic nanofibrils (BLNF) with a high lignin content. The specific research objectives that will be addressed by this NSERC proposal are to elucidate: 1) the role of bark microstructure and lignin on nanofibrillation processes of BLNF; 2) the effect of drying methods on structure, morphology, and surface topochemistry of BLNF; 3) the application of BLNF in thermoset and thermoplastic polymer composites as reinforcement for enhanced mechanical, thermal, and barrier performance. The mechanistic insights gained through these fundamental studies will contribute significantly to the realization of a true bark biorefinery process, by which all fractions of the bark materials are used for making valued added products. If successful, the bark-derived valued-added green chemicals and BLNF containing composites will reduce the market reliances on fossil fuel derived products and help transform Canadian forest mills into integrated biorefineries, greatly enhancing the forest sector's competitiveness in the global marketplace. HQP's trained by the project will be ideally suited to become the future leaders in the emerging bio-economy making significant contributions to Canada's long term prosperity and well-being.

由于对化石燃料枯竭和气候变化的担忧，人们对利用可再生生物质材料生产环保产品越来越感兴趣。树皮是锯木厂、纸浆和造纸厂大量产生的废物流，是一种宝贵的生物质来源，但在该行业中仅发现了一些低价值用途。在过去 6 年里，我们开发了提取和转化技术，用于从树皮中获取多酚化合物，并制造增值的树皮粘合剂、树脂和泡沫产品。然而，根据木材种类，提取后仍残留大量固体残留物。为了充分发挥树皮生物精炼厂的潜力，必须利用所有树皮部分，包括树皮提取残留物。拟议的 NSERC Discovery 应用补充并扩展了我们过去在树皮生物精炼方面的工作，重点是对将树皮提取残留物转化为具有高木质素含量的新型基于树皮的木质纤维素纳米纤维（BLNF）的纳米纤维化过程的基本理解。 NSERC 提案将解决的具体研究目标是阐明：1）树皮微观结构和木质素对 BLNF 纳米纤化过程的作用； 2）干燥方法对BLNF结构、形貌和表面拓扑化学的影响； 3) BLNF 在热固性和热塑性聚合物复合材料中的应用，作为增强材料的机械、热和阻隔性能。通过这些基础研究获得的机理见解将极大地有助于实现真正的树皮生物精炼工艺，通过该工艺，树皮材料的所有部分都用于制造增值产品。如果成功，树皮衍生的增值绿色化学品和含有BLNF的复合材料将减少市场对化石燃料衍生产品的依赖，并帮助加拿大林业工厂转变为综合生物炼制厂，从而大大提高林业部门在全球市场的竞争力。受该项目培训的 HQP 将非常适合成为新兴生物经济的未来领导者，为加拿大的长期繁荣和福祉做出重大贡献。