The large-scale oil spills have repeatedly occurred and adversely affected our environment, and ecosystem. The primary method used for managing oil spills is to “dissolve” the spilled oil in water in form of emulsion droplets. Here an amphiphilic emulsifier is generally used to stabilized oil-water interface and initiate the formation of oil-in-water emulsion. However, recent studies have shown that the commercially used emulsifiers for oil spill cleanup processes have adversely affected our environment, and there is an immediate need to find new, ecofriendly alternatives to currently used emulsifiers. Here, we present nanoparticles synthesized from plant biopolymers as a new class of biocompatible emulsifiers, which allow for managing oil spills in a rapid and ecofriendly manner. We demonstrate the ability of plant-based nanomaterials to stabilize emulsion droplets using chitosan coated lignin nanoparticles as a model system. We also show the effect of presence of the lignin-chitosan composite nanoparticles on the metabolic activity of <i>Alcanivorax borkumensis</i>, and corresponding biofilm formation at the oil-water interface. The study presents a new design principle of engineering materials using plant-based precursors, and provides much-desired sustainable alternative to currently used harsh chemical emulsifiers.

Lignin nanoparticles as a sustainable oil dispersant

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.