2012- 21st Annual NC State Undergraduate Research Symposium

Session Time : 4/10/12 12:15 PM - 4/10/12 1:30 PM

Content Area : Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Poster Appointment: , -

Student Presenters :
Dayne A Plemmons Chemical Engineering

Mentors and/or Co-Authors :
Orlin Velev Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Abstract Title : Synthesis and Characterization of Environmentally-Benign Biopolymer Nanoparticles

Abstract :
Nanoparticles of numerous compounds have recently become attractive due to useful properties exhibited by nanoscale materials. However, the nanoparticles’ long-term stability coupled with recent toxicity and environmental health concerns limit the extent to which they can be responsibly utilized. Here, a novel approach to the synthesis of lignin nanoparticles that could biodegrade after utilization has been developed. Nanoparticles of two different craft lignins were synthesized in primarily water-based solvents with sizes easily tuned between 50 and 500 nanometers based on parameters including pH and solvent viscosity. Nanoparticles stable in the human pH range were synthesized by vigorously diluting an organic solution of lignin with water, an antisolvent. Dynamic light scattering and zeta-potential measurements showed that nanoparticles synthesized via this route remained stable for weeks. These nanoparticles could potentially be used as a carrier-system for pharmaceuticals as well as a stabilizing agent for foams.