Speakers
Description
Lignin-based hydrogels offer a sustainable route for developing functional polymeric matrices from renewable biomass resources. In this study, organosolv lignin obtained from hazelnut-shell biomass was combined with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) to produce borate-crosslinked hydrogels intended for sustained boron release. Formulation conditions were optimized to obtain reproducible and macroscopically homogeneous hydrogel structures with stable gel formation. The structural and morphological characteristics of the hydrogels were evaluated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Comparative FTIR analysis, including relative band-integration assessment of selected spectral regions, supported changes associated with borate–polyol network formation, while SEM revealed a porous morphology potentially relevant to water uptake and boron diffusion. The selected formulations exhibited approximately 600% swelling, demonstrating substantial hydration capacity of the lignin/PVA network. Boron incorporation into the hydrogel matrix was quantitatively determined, and boron release was monitored by a UV–Vis spectrophotometric procedure based on Azomethine-H chemistry. The developed analytical approach enabled time-dependent evaluation of boron mobilization from the hydrated polymer network and establishment of reproducible release profiles. Differences in formulation composition affected both swelling behavior and boron-release profiles, indicating that the lignin/PVA/borate network can be tuned through formulation design. These findings demonstrate the potential of organosolv lignin/PVA hydrogels as renewable polymeric matrices for sustained micronutrient delivery, particularly for boron-fertilizer applications.
| Conference Topics | Polymer-based materials – Sustainability and Circularity |
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