Rapid fabrication of xylan-based hydrogel by graft polymerization via a dynamic lignin-Fe3+ plant catechol system

Nan Li; Dan Sun; Zhenhua Su; Xiang Hao; Mingfei Li; Junli Ren; Feng Peng

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118306

Rapid fabrication of xylan-based hydrogel by graft polymerization via a dynamic lignin-Fe³⁺ plant catechol system

Carbohydr Polym. 2021 Oct 1:269:118306. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118306. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Authors

Nan Li¹, Dan Sun¹, Zhenhua Su², Xiang Hao³, Mingfei Li¹, Junli Ren⁴, Feng Peng⁵

Affiliations

¹ Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
² China National Pulp and Paper Research Institute, Beijing 100102, China.
³ Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China. Electronic address: xianghao@bjfu.edu.cn.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510640, China.
⁵ Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China. Electronic address: fengpeng@bjfu.edu.cn.

PMID: 34294323
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118306

Abstract

Traditional preparation methods of the hydrogel are not only tedious but also requiring external stimuli. Here, a plant catechol-inspired self-catalytic system (sulfonated lignin and iron ion) has been introduced to rapidly trigger the graft polymerization of vinyl monomers on the carboxymethyl xylan (CMX) at room temperature, generating an elastic, UV-shield, and conductive hydrogel. The rapid preparation process can be finished at room temperature in 5 min without the removal of oxygen. The hydrogel shows charming extension ratio (up to 460%) and tensile stress (up to 23 kPa), which can be ascribed to the double network structure constructed from Fe³⁺ and CMX. The hydrogel exhibits great transparency (up to 85.37%), fascinating UV-blocking (up to 99%), and conductive features, thereby serving as potential human body sensors. The rapid preparation of xylan-derived hydrogels via dynamic lignin catechol chemistry may open up a new approach to high-valued utilization of biomass.

Keywords: Graft polymerization; Lignin-Fe(3+); Rapid preparation; Xylan.