Strong and biocompatible lignin /poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) composite nanofibers

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is an attractive biopolymer potential for various applications, but its brittle nature is a big handicap. In this study, we proposed lignin copolymers as mechanical reinforcement agents for PHB. A series of lignin copolymers (random and block) were synthesized via the solvent free ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of β-butyrolactone and/or ε-caprolactone onto lignin core. The lignin copolymers were characterized by...