II. Wood components and interfaces

Research in PII focuses on isolating and modifying wood components for various material applications, with a focus on fundamental characteristics and material interfaces. Wood-based elements such as cellulose (including nanocellulose), lignin, hemicelluloses, and low molecular compounds offer sustainable potential beyond paper and cardboard products. Acquiring fundamental knowledge is crucial to unlock the wood-based components’ full potential for novel material applications.

The core of WWSC's research involves cellulose-rich fibers and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). CNFs, whether liberated or within a porous fiber wall, exhibit complex colloidal behavior when interacting with water. Preserving the nanostructure of the cell wall without fibrillation is advantageous, as it allows utilization without excessive water, which also will be addressed in our future research.

Lignin, a biogenic source of aromatic carbon, has the potential to fossil-based materials. Elucidating the chemical structure and morphology of native and technical lignin fractions requires advanced characterization methods of which some are developed within WWSC. Our has also enhanced understanding of hemicelluloses and their role in plant cell wall assembly.

Tailoring interfaces is critical for sustainable wood-based materials. In circular materials for multiple reuse, efficient fiber component recycling depends on controlling secondary bonding forces at the interface. For durable materials, interfaces must ensure moisture stability, often through covalent bonds. WWSC has developed unique methods and expertise over the years, which will remain central to the future work in Program II.