Phase separation of cellulose derivatives during extrusion – one way to enable the next generation drugs
The project aims to study the plasticisation of cellulose derivatives by water and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The project will use and develop scattering techniques and different mechanical, thermal and permeability characterisation techniques such as DMA/DMA+RH, DSC and oxygen permeability at different RH. The purpose is to better understand how cellulose derivatives interact with water as […]
Tailored Lignin-Derived Materials for Remediation of Water, Soil, and Sediments
This project aims to develop value-added lignin-derived materials and explore their potential in mitigating pollution from both emerging and regulated contaminants, including PFAS and other micropollutants. The target materials include lignin-derived carbons and biochars with tailored surfaces, modified lignins, lignin-based composites, and 3-D materials.
Molecularly designed cellulose materials for triboelectric applications
Cellulose films possesses favorable triboelectric properties otherwise only found in synthetic, oil-based polymer materials. This can open up entirely new possibilities within the area of internet-of-things (IoT), which is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades. Cheap and sustainable sensor devices based on renewable, self-electrified systems without the need of batteries, self-powered by insignificant […]
Nanostructured composites from latex nanoparticles
Latex nanoparticles with controllable physico-chemical properties, such as size, rigidity and surface functionality, have shown great promise in modifying and tailoring macroscopic properties of cellulosic nanomaterials. For instance, it has been found that cationic nanoparticles can stiffen or plasticize cellulose nanopapers depending on additive amount. The impact of nanoparticle shell functionality will be further investigated […]
A multiscale modelling approach aided by X-ray techniques to deepen the understanding of the effect of climate change on the hygromechanical behaviour of wood
Climate change has shown to alter the mechanical properties of wood. This suggest an alteration of the hygromechanical behaviour, behaviour that by itself is not fully elucidated yet. The deeper understanding of the hygromechanics of wood is important in the correct prediction and interpretation of drying and long-term behaviour of this material. In this light, […]
Atomistic understanding of biomass interaction with hydrotreating catalysts
The development of catalysts to upgrade renewable feedstocks is vital for a sustainable future. Alternative feedstocks typically differ in chemical composition compared to fossil-based feedstocks and to further develop catalytic materials that enable efficient and environmentally friendly chemical processes, it is necessary to understand the functional mechanisms of these materials in detail.The high oxygen content […]
Defibrillation of cellulosic substrates by novel bio-based ionic liquids
New bio-based ionic liquids were developed as a greener and simple pathway for the activation of cellulosic substrates compatible with chemical modification (such as in situ polymerization). Preliminary experiments showed that these ionic liquids promote swelling/dispersing/defibrillation/partial dissolution of cellulose while retaining cellulose I crystalline structure after regeneration (full dissolution is not achieved). To get a […]
Bottom-up assembly of synthetic plant cells
Recently, isolated CNFs has been utilized as outer cell wall to assemble around micro containers (Paulraj, T. et al., Nat. Comm., 2020). In such an assembly termed as “plantosomes” or synthetic plant cell, the lipid growth was regulated by changes in the pH or ions, similar to what occurs in plant cells. This project focuses […]
Theoretical study of lignin swelling in atomistic details
In this project vi use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate hygroscopic properties of various lignins. Our hope is that structure and dynamics on the atomistic level of details will complement existing macromechanical models. The goal is to test existing atomistic models of lignin subject to its interactions with water. The output of the project […]
Molecular Basis of the Interactions and Recalcitrance of Lignocellulosic Biomass
Lignocellulosic biomass represents the main renewable resource from the biosphere for the production of biofuels, platform chemicals and bio-based materials. Lignocellulose consists of a complex polymeric network of cellulose microfibrils embedded in a matrix of hemicelluloses, pectins, and lignins with exquisite organization from the nano- to the microscale. However, the heterogeneity of the lignocellulose polymeric […]
Functional lignin nanomaterials
This is a umbrella theme of research carried out in Sustainable Materials Chemistry (SUSMATCHEM) research group in Stockholm University. We aim to make most out of lignin with minimal processing and chemical modification according to the principles of green chemistry. In addition to fundamental studies of structure and properties of lignin and lignin nanoparticles, we […]
Native cellulose’s interplay in materials and dispersions (CELLO)
This project supported by the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet) focus on native cellulose´s interplay in materials and dispersions. The overall aim is to study and explain the intra- and intermolecular interactions of cellulose which occur during dissolution, in dispersions and in the regeneration of novel nanobiocomposite materials.
