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Research progress on lignin-based composite coatings for wood protection
A review explores the advantages, challenges, and optimisation strategies for lignin-based composite coatings, highlighting their potential as eco-friendly alternatives for wood protection.
Wood materials face degradation caused by various biotic and abiotic factors, making surface coatings a critical protective solution. However, traditional petroleum-derived coatings pose environmental risks and lack biodegradability. In response, lignin-based composite coatings have emerged as a promising bio-based alternative.
Lignin, the second most abundant organic polymer globally, offers unique benefits for wood coatings, including improved UV resistance, mechanical strength, and durability due to its chemical structure. Despite these advantages, its application faces challenges such as poor dispersibility and limited interfacial compatibility.
Reading tip: Wood Coatings
Discover the solid knowledge base in industrial wood coatings! The comprehensive standard work “”Wood Coatings“” from Jorge Prieto and Jürgen Kiene focuses on interior and exterior coatings for wood and wood-based materials. It compares classic solvent-borne wood coatings with modern UV-curing systems and water-borne coating systems. Moreover, guide formulations and actual procedures for coatings are shown in detail. Summarized: this book provides a comprehensive overview, with practical solutions and support for everyone who deals with industrial wood coatings.
Optimisation strategies and future research directions
This review systematically summarises advanced modification strategies to enhance lignin’s hydrophobicity, environmental durability, and stability, thereby improving its efficiency in coatings. Recent research has demonstrated lignin’s potential as a multifunctional filler, significantly enhancing wood protection properties.
The findings offer valuable insights into lignin’s optimisation for use in eco-friendly composite coatings, encouraging further research and development to replace petroleum-based alternatives in wood protection applications.
Source: Chen, S. et al., Research progress on lignin-based composite coatings for wood protection. Progress in Organic Coatings, 213, 109971 (2026).
