Novel insight into the chemo-rheological properties of Ethanol lignin: A mini-review

Lignin is the most abundant renewable aromatic polymer in nature. Its unique chemical structure and multifunctional nature provide great potential for sustainable material development. In recent years, ethanol lignin has garnered significant attention due to its green extraction process and low molecular weight. Consequently, its efficient separation and functional application in biomass refining have become research hotspots. The development of lignin-based thermoplastic materials focuses on understanding the thermoplastic-remodeling mechanisms, including glass transition behavior, melt kinetics, and dynamic changes in chemical bonds. Additionally, the type of lignin, structural modification methods and processing conditions (such as temperature and pressure) significantly influence its thermoplastic properties. Dynamic covalent bond design or functional group modification could remarkably enhance the compatibility between lignin and polymers, thereby optimizing the mechanical properties and thermal stability of composites. Despite advances in toughening, antioxidant properties, and self-healing capabilities of lignin-based materials, the issue of performance degradation under high lignin loading remains unresolved. Future research should further explore the intermolecular interaction mechanisms of lignin, develop efficient targeted modification strategies, and investigate green, low-energy processing technologies to achieve the large-scale conversion of biomass waste into high-value-added materials. This paper systematically reviews the latest research on lignin structure, ethanol extraction technologies, and thermoplastic reconstruction mechanisms to provide theoretical support for the efficient utilization of lignin and to promote its innovative application in packaging, 3D printing, flexible electronics, and other fields, thereby contributing to the realization of global carbon neutrality goals.