Coatings

Coatings Made from Wood Waste Can Provide Anti-Fogging and Anti-Reflective Properties for Glasses and Windshields

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Researchers have discovered a way to transform wood waste into a bio-based transparent film that can be used for anti-fogging and anti-reflective coatings on glasses and vehicle windows. This groundbreaking development not only offers an alternative to the toxic synthetic materials currently used for coatings, but it also turns a waste product into a valuable carbon sink.

The study, conducted as part of FinnCERES, the Academy of Finland’s flagship center for materials bioeconomy research, was recently published in the Chemical Engineering Journal.

Lignin, a waste product abundant in the paper and pulp production industry, is traditionally burned to produce heat due to its challenging processability. While the idea of using lignin nanoparticles for anti-fogging coatings is not new, scientists have struggled to create transparent films from these particles.

Lead author of the study, doctoral researcher Alexander Henn, explains that transparent coatings are crucial for optical applications. Previous attempts at creating lignin particle films have resulted in a visible appearance, even with relatively thin films. Henn aimed to overcome this challenge by minimizing the particle size to achieve invisible particle films.

To achieve this, the research team used acetylated lignin and developed an improved method to esterify the material. This new reaction occurs at a low temperature of 60°C and takes just a few minutes.

“The lignin particles I made from the acetylated lignin had rather surprising properties, which made the rest of this study very interesting,” says Henn. He adds that the discovery of creating photonic films from lignin nanoparticles was unexpected.

In addition to anti-fogging and anti-reflective coatings, the researchers found that lignin nanoparticles could also be used to create colored films. By controlling the thickness of the coating and utilizing multi-layer films, the team successfully achieved materials with different structural colors.

The study benefited from the collaboration and expertise of different team members. According to Henn, Sahar Babaeipour played a crucial role in controlling the particles’ photonic properties, while Paula Nousiainen and Kristoffer Meinander provided expertise in lignin chemistry and photonic phenomena, respectively.

The team conducted a feasibility study, which demonstrated that the reaction was easy to perform and yielded high results. This suggests that the production process could be scaled up to industrial levels. Professor Monika Österberg highlights the commercial value of lignin-based products and their potential to act as carbon sinks, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels.

Henn emphasizes the importance of collaboration in achieving impactful research outcomes. By including a techno-economic analysis with the assistance of Professor Pekka Oinas and doctoral researcher Susanna Forssell, the study is able to explore the potential applications and economic viability of lignin-based coatings beyond the laboratory setting.

*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it

Ravina
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Ravina Pandya,  Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has an expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals.