Creating solar cells and glass from wood - or a billion tons of biowaste
Researchers map out how biomass from plants could replace nonrenewable resources in optical applications

Date:
November 4, 2021
Source:
Aalto University
Summary:
Scientists have taken a close look at how lignocellulose -- or
plant biomass -- can be used for optical applications, potentially
replacing commonly used materials like sand and plastics.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
A digital, urbanised world consumes huge amounts of raw materials that
could hardly be called environmentally friendly. One promising solution
may be found in renewable raw materials, according to research published
in Advanced Materials. In their paper, the international research group
has taken a close look at how lignocellulose -- or plant biomass --
can be used for optical applications, potentially replacing commonly
used materials like sand and plastics.


==========================================================================
`We wanted to map out as comprehensively as possible how lignocellulose
could replace the nonrenewable resources found in widely used technology,
like smart devices or solar cells,' says Jaana Vapaavuori, assistant
professor of functional materials at Aalto University, who carried out
the analysis with colleagues at the University of Turku, RISE - Research Institute of Sweden, and University of British Columbia.

Lignocellulose, the term that encompasses cellulose, hemicellulose and
lignin, is found in nearly every plant on Earth. When scientists break
it down into very small parts and put it back together, they can create
totally new, usable materials.

In their extensive review of the field, the researchers assessed the
various manufacturing processes and characteristics needed for optical applications, for example, transparency, reflectiveness, UV-light
filtering, as well as structural colours.

`Through combining properties of lignocellulose, we could create
light-reactive surfaces for windows or materials that react to certain chemicals or steam. We could even make UV protectors that soak up
radiation, acting like a sunblock on surfaces,' explains Vapaavuori.

`We can actually add functionalities to lignocellulose and customise it
more easily than glass. For instance, if we could replace the glass in
solar cells with lignocellulose, we could improve light absorption and
achieve better operating efficiency,' says Kati Miettunen, professor of materials engineering at the University of Turku.



========================================================================== Because forest biomass is already in high demand and vast carbon sinks
are crucial to the health of the planet, as a source of lignocellulose
the researchers point to what's not being used: more than a billion tons
of biomass waste created by industry and agriculture each year.

`There is massive untapped potential in the leftovers of lignocellulose
from other industries,' Vapaavuori emphasises.

For now, researchers are still studying bio-based materials and creating prototypes. At Aalto University, for example, scientists have developed
light fibres and light-reactive fabrics.

Vapaavuori says that the leap to scaling-up and commercialisation could
be achieved in two ways.

`Either we create new uses for bio-based waste through government
regulations or research brings about such cool demos and breakthroughs
that it drives demand for renewable alternatives for optical
applications. We believe that we need both political direction and solid research.' A major obstacle in the development and commercialisation of lignocellulose- based innovations has been its manufacturing cost. Eyes
were on nanocellulose already at the beginning of the 2000s but it's
only now that the energy consumption and cost of production have dropped
enough to make industrial use possible. Another ongoing challenge lies
in a simple but fundamental ingredient of processing: water.

`Cellulose loves water. To use it in optical applications, we need to
find a way make it stable in humid conditions,' says Vapaavuori.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Aalto_University. Note: Content may
be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Joice Jaqueline Kaschuk, Yazan Al Haj, Orlando J. Rojas, Kati
Miettunen,
Tiffany Abitbol, Jaana Vapaavuori. Plant‐based
Structures as an Opportunity to Engineer Optical Functions in
next‐generation Light Management. Advanced Materials, 2021;
2104473 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202104473 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211104162608.htm

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