PARTIFACE: Green route to wood-derived Janus particles for stabilized interfaces

We are extremely thrilled to start our new research project “PARTIFACE” since the beginning of June 2020, supported by the European Research Council and led by Assist. Prof. Kirsi S. Mikkonen. This project aims to develop a green conversion route using enzymatic crosslinking to build a novel concept, in which tailored bi-facial “Janus” particles will be prepared from two of the most abundant, but underexploited wood-based biopolymers: lignin and hemicelluloses.

Using environmentally friendly technology, this project will design sophisticated and sustainable hierarchical architectures from the abovementioned biopolymers. Due to their two ‘faces’ with opposite properties, these tailored wood-based particles are expected to have a superior capacity to stabilize emulsion interfaces.

Therefore, we envision a breakthrough in interface and colloid science, contributing to more sustainable use of the Earth’s resources.