LIGsp
Project summary
The utilization of biomass and its derivatives presents a partial solution to mitigate the greenhouse effect. While technologies for converting carbohydrates into value-added products are established, lignin valorization remains underdeveloped.
Project LIGsp aims to synthesize carbon microspheres from biorefinery byproducts, including lignin and phenolic-containing biooil fractions, using hydrothermal carbonization and a modified Stöber method.
These carbon microspheres have encapsulation properties, controlled permeability, functional surfaces, high surface-to-volume ratios, and thermal stability, making them promising materials for energy storage and environmental applications. The carbon microspheres will be additionally thermochemically activated, resulting in a nitrogen-doped carbon material with developed porosity that can be used in supercapacitors and fuel cells. LIGsp's work could significantly contribute to the sustainable utilization of lignin and other biomass residues, fostering a greener and more energy-efficient future.
Total funding of the project: 300 000
Project implementation period: 36 months
Place of implementation: Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry
Project implementation
30.12.2025.
Project progress report for the period of 01.10.2025.-30.12.2025.
Work package 1 “Study the synthesis of carbon microspheres from biooil ” .
- A comparison of the products of hydrothermal carbonization of bio-oil and its fractions has been made, which shows that carbon spheres are formed at lower temperatures (200-250 °C) for bio-oil and anhydrosugars, but at higher temperatures (300 °C) for the phenolic fraction.
- Experiments were conducted using resorcinol as a model substance, and it was shown that it is possible to obtain homogeneous spheres using the Stöber method. Solid products were not obtained using vanillin as a model substance.
Work package 2 “Study the synthesis of carbon microspheres from SW-lignin”.
- Experiments were carried out on hydrothermal carbonization of 10% lignin in a water-ethanol medium at 150, 200, 250, 300 °C with heating times of 2, 4, 8 and 16 hours.
- After hydrothermal carbonization, the liquid part, the lignin fraction dissolved in water and alcohol during the reaction, was subjected to Stöber synthesis.
- The chemical analysis of the obtained particles was performed using elemental analysis, Py-GC/MS, and the morphology and particle size were determined using SEM.
Work package 3 “Development of thermal and thermochemical treatment process of CS and it impact on electrochemical parameters” was started.
- Spherical carbon particles obtained from resorcinol and thermally stabilized by the Stöber method were used to prepare battery electrodes and initiate coin cell measurements.
- Thermochemical treatment of spherical carbon model material was initiated.
Work package 4 “Dissemination and outreach”
- A school project has been developed to produce biochar and bio-oil by pyrolyzing seaweed.
30.09.2025
Project progress report for the period of 01.07.2025.-30.09.2025.
Work package 1 “Study the synthesis of carbon microspheres from biooil ” .
- Seperatd phenol fraction analyzed with a combination of chemical analysis methods, such as, iodometric sugar titration, potentiometric titration of acids and aldehydes, spectrophotometric determination of phenols, with GC-FID/MS and HPLC-UV/ELSD/MS. Quantitative analysis will be aimed at evaluating the yields of the target chemical products for understanding the impact of components on the sphere.
- Synthesized carbon spheres from phenol fraction. Chemical analysis of the obtained particles was performed using element analysis, Py-GC/MS and morphology and particle size were determined using SEM.
- Experiments were started to obtain carbon microspheres by Stöber method of phenol fraction.
Work package 2 “Study the synthesis of carbon microspheres from SW-lignin”.
Experiments were started to obtain carbon microspheres:
- Stöber method of lignin fraction dissolved in water and ethanol,
- hydrothermal carbonization of lignin in the aquatic environment.
Chemical analysis of the obtained particles was performed using element analysis, Py-GC/MS and morphology and particle size were determined using SEM.
Work package 3 “Development of thermal and thermochemical treatment process of CS and it impact on electrochemical parameters” was started.
- The obtained particles were stabilized at 800 °C.
- It was found that after thermal treatment it is possible to preserve the morphology of the particles - spheres.
Work package 4 “Dissemination and outreach ”
Participation in Researchers’ Night 2025, engaging the public with science communication activities.
30.06.2025.
Project progress report for the period of 01.04.2025.-30.06.2025.
Work package 1 “Study the synthesis of carbon microspheres from biooil ”.
- Synthesized bio-oil analyzed with a combination of chemical analysis methods, such as, iodometric sugar titration, potentiometric titration of acids and aldehydes, spectrophotometric determination of phenols, with GC-FID/MS and HPLC-UV/ELSD/MS. Quantitative analysis will be aimed at evaluating the yields of the target chemical products for understanding the impact of components on the sphere.
- Carbon spheres synthesized from bio-oil by hydrothermal carbonization.
- Experiments were started to obtain carbon microspheres by Stöber method of biooil.
Work package 2 “Study the synthesis of carbon microspheres from SW-lignin”.
- Chemical analysis (Py-GC/MS ), elemental analysis, ash content was determined for lignin.
- Lignin samples were fractionated with water, ethanol.
Work package 4 “Dissemination and outreach ”.
- The charcoal factory SIA "KRK Vidzeme" was visited.
- Kalvis Liepiņš defended his master's thesis "Oxidation of activated carbon with hydrogen peroxide to improve surface hydrophilicity"
Work package 5 “Management and coordination”
Project meetings was held
30.03.2025
Project progress report for the period of 01.01.2025.-30.03.2025.
During the period, three project activities were started according to the work plan.
Work package 1 “Study the synthesis of carbon microspheres from biooil ” was started.
- During the reporting period, birch and spruce wood was prepared (material crushing, sieving, treatment with 0.5% sulfuric acid), biooil was obtained by fast pyrolysis (water vapor, 400°C).
- Separation of the phenolic fraction was started.
- Experiments were started to obtain carbon microspheres by hydrothermal carbonization of biooil.
Work package 2 “Study the synthesis of carbon microspheres from SW-lignin” was started.
5 kg of LIGNOVA™ Crude lignin was purchased from the Estonian company “Fibenol”.
Work package 5 “Management and coordination”.
Data Management Plan prepared and published: https://doi.org/10.5281/
01.01.2025.
Beginning of the project.
