Karnitski, Aliaksandr Natarajan, Logeshwaran Lee, Young Jun Kim, Sung-Soo 2024-11-07T02:00:21Z 2024-11-07T02:00:21Z 2024-11-06 2024-11 0141-8130 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/150988 This study focuses on understanding the chemical reactions and results of Kraft lignin transformation through nitric acid treatment and subsequent carbonization. With its rich carbon content, lignin stands out as a promising candidate for the manufacturing of high-value carbon materials. The lignin underwent effective nitration, depolymerization, and oxidation under ambient conditions and at 40 degrees C, while a slight increase in reaction temperature significantly reduced the reaction time. The molecular weight Mw was effectively reduced from 4371 g/mol to 767 g/mol. The acid-treated lignin samples with incorporated nitro groups were further carbonized to create nitrogen-doped carbon structures. The resulting materials show stable nitrogen content (about at 5 wt%) even after carbonization due to the transformation of nitro groups into thermally stable pyridinic moieties, thereby exhibiting enhanced electrocatalytic properties compared to nitrogen-free carbon materials derived from Kraft lignin. The nitric acid-assisted treatment of lignin obviates the need for catalysts, and additional extraction or purification steps for preparing bio-derived carbon precursors, rendering it facile, fast, and cost-efficient. English Elsevier BV Controlled chemical transformation of lignin by nitric acid treatment and carbonization Article 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136408 1 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, v.281, no.Part 4 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 281 Part 4 Y scie scopus 001338682800001 2-s2.0-85206256309 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Chemistry, Applied Polymer Science Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Chemistry Polymer Science Article OXYGEN REDUCTION CATALYTIC-OXIDATION CARBON ELECTROCATALYST NANOPARTICLES SPECTRA NMR Nitration Nitric acid Nitrogen-doped carbon materials Kraft lignin Depolymerization