Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems

Lignin Chemistry

The Lignin Chemistry research group is led by Prof. Mikhail Balakshin. The core of our activity are practical issues of lignin valorization.

Image shows a road that leads out of the forest. On the road there is a sheme of the macromolecule lignin shown and there is a street sign indicating the end of the fossil resource era and the beginning of the biorefinery era.

Our Research areas:

Lignin Analytics
Lignin Engineering
Integrated Biorefinery

Our core knowledge is in deep understanding of lignin chemistry and technology. We are working on engineering of optimal lignins for specific applications by elucidating the correlation between process conditions, lignin structure, lignin properties and application performance. To achieve this challenging, yet very important task, we cooperate with artificial intelligence groups and application experts at our Department, University and worldwide.

This image shows the route to biomass valorization informed by artificial intelligence.

Lignin Engineering: Process, Structure, Properties, and Application Performance

For more information click here: https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202002553

The image shows a new model of spruce lignin

Lignin Analytics: New Model of Spruce Lignin

For more information click here: https://doi.org/10.1039/D0GC00926A

Image shows the process of producing lignin micro-nanoparticles by an aerosol flow reactor

Integrated biorefinery: lignin micro-/nanoparticles from biorefinery lignin

For more information click here: https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.9b06511

Lignin is the only large renewable source of green aromatic chemicals and polymers and therefore the key player in the modern and future biorefinery. However, lignin commercialization for high-value products is very challenging due to its very complex nature and the high variety of different technical lignins. Our group is addressing this challenge by developing best lignin types for specific applications via understanding the correlation between process conditions, lignin structures and properties and their performance in specific applications using advanced methodology (new biorefinery processes, cutting-edge analytics, artificial intelligence).

We are looking for further fruitful cooperation with different groups working in various areas of lignin production and applications in academia, research institutes and industry.

The image shows an Overview of NMR Methods needed for lignin analysis

Comparison of Different NMR Methods:

These methods are complementary;
The best method is dependent on the research task and substrate type

The image shows two 13C NMR spectra of aspen milled wood lignin

Lignin structure on a functional level can be described comprehensively by advanced ¹³C NMR.

For more information click here: https://doi.org/10.1039/C5RA16649G

Heteronuclear Single Quantum Coherence (HSQC) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy

2. Lignin Engineering:

Lignin valorization requires tremendous analytical efforts and method development including lignin structural analysis and, especially, high‐throughput methods for the evaluation of lignin performance in specific applications.

New and comprehensive lignin structure–performance relationships are urgently needed in order to be able to engineer lignins and lignin properties to certain application requirements.