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A review of the potential application of lignin in the production of bio-binder: challenges and opportunities

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Abstract

The aim is to treat nature in such a way that usage of natural resources has little to zero hazards to our environment. There is a need to protect the earth and its ecology from approaching disasters brought on by anthropogenic activity, particularly the combustion of fossil fuels for energy. The net-zero emission shall be achieved worldwide by embracing sustainable bio-energy resources. Under this domain, the invention of bio-ethanol also known as 2G-ethanol from crop residue (lignocellulosic biomass) took place and is contributing toward rural development and energy independence. Similarly, researchers have modified the conventional petroleum-based bitumen by incorporating various types of lignin, including wood lignin, kraft lignin, soda lignin, lignosulfonates, and lignin-derived from biofuel production. This review encompasses the growth in biofuel production and advantages stemming from bitumen modified using lignin obtained as a byproduct from bio-fuel industries. The study also explores potential approaches for producing a direct alternative bio-binder using lignin. However, there remains a necessity for dedicated research and development to optimize the production methods of bio-binders. Using bio-bitumen or bio-binder in constructing bituminous layers shall contribute to reducing the dependency on fossil fuels, lowering the carbon footprint, improving the performance, and valorizing the biowaste. This review comprehensively outlines the challenges in the production of bio-binder from lignin. Also, this shall serve as a starting point for further research projects by highlighting the potential of lignin as a source for developing a direct alternative bio-binder in pavement engineering.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the facilities provided by the Department of Civil Engineering of the National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Mangaluru, India

    Yatish R G, Doma Hemanth Kumar, Raviraj H M & A. U. Ravi Shankar

  2. J.N.N College of Engineering, Shivamogga, India

    Raghuram K. Chinnabhandar

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  1. Yatish R G
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Contributions

YRG contributed to conceptualization, data curation, methodology, and writing—original draft. DHK contributed to investigation, formal analysis, resources, and writing—review. RKC, RHM, and AUR contributed to writing—review and editing.

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Correspondence to Yatish R G.

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R G, Y., Kumar, D.H., Chinnabhandar, R.K. et al. A review of the potential application of lignin in the production of bio-binder: challenges and opportunities. J Mater Sci 59, 3205–3224 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-024-09429-3

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