In this work, lignin/zinc oxide nanocomposites
with excellent UV-absorbent
performance were prepared through a novel hydrothermal method using
industrial alkali lignin (AL) as raw materials. AL was first modified
by quaternization to synthesize quaternized alkali lignin (QAL). The
QAL/ZnO nanocomposites with different lignin contents were then prepared
via a facile one-step hydrothermal method using QAL and zinc nitrate
hexahydrate and hexamethylenetetramine in aqueous solution. The prepared
nanocomposite possessed an average diameter of ∼100 nm and
showed excellent synergistic UV-absorbent performance. The particle
morphology and hybrid structure were carefully characterized by SEM,
TEM, XRD, FT-IR, XPS, UV–vis, and TG analyses. Interestingly,
it was found that the UV transmittance of polyurethane (PU) film was
significantly reduced and the mechanical properties of the PU were
significantly enhanced when blended with the prepared QAL/ZnO nanocomposite.
The results of this work were of practical importance for high value-added
application of industrial lignin in the field of functional materials
