Description:
Reference #: 1683
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for Lignin-based Adhesives using Silyl Ether Hardeners and Thiol-ene Chemistry.
Background:
Modern adhesives, such as epoxy resins or latex, offer high adhesion strength on a diverse range of substrates. However, the feedstocks for the manufacturing of these materials are often fossil fuels that are increasingly unsustainable and undesirable for environments therefore greener adhesives are required. Lignin is a renewable feedstock that is abundant and inexpensive but still presents challenges for its valorization.
Invention Description:
This invention describes strong adhesives that contain biomass and hardener. In this work, we converted functionalized lignin into broad-spectrum adhesives using thiol-silyl ether crosslinkers. The two components are mixed and then heated to create a strong adhesion between two surfaces. The setup is resistant to water and force for prolonged periods of time.
Potential Applications:
Adhesives are increasingly catered to the government regulations. Our formulations aim to have adhesives with biomass as the raw materials with hardeners that warrant strong adhesion. Our adhesives can be used to bond many materials in a variety of manufacturing sectors. Increasing customer preference and government regulations demand adhesives to be greener and more sustainable. This formulation uses a waste byproduct of the paper industry and allows for the creation of high biomass content adhesives.
Advantages and Benefits:
This technology uses sustainable feedstocks in its formulation. The lignin biomass is used as the polymer and is derived from a waste stream for the paper industry. There is a great opportunity to create sustainable adhesives with low-cost waste streams.