WP1 has been devoted to the conversion of BLs (black liquors) from the Kraft process of Eucalyptus pulp into purified lignin. The BLs were selected and characterized, after which the most suitable technologies for lignin extraction were selected on the base of the characterisation studies, analyses and tests. Then pure lignin was used in suitable blends, prepared in WP2, to be used as fibre precursors for obtaining fibre-based carbon-rich materials (non-wovens mainly). In WP2, the manufacturing of carbon fibres and derived fibre-based materials (fibrous mats and non-wovens) from high-purity lignin has been carried out. Validation and testing of the obtained materials, mainly at application level, and mainly on structured Carbons and related derivatives, carbonized fibers, mats/nonwoven fabrics was also performed.
Morphological, physico-chemical, and benchmarking analyses on the EUCALIVA Lignins and on the obtained carbonized materials, mainly Carbon structured (nano-)powders to be used in conductive inks, (bio-)sensors, and several other functional added-value applications (fuel, photo-catalytic and solar cells, energy harvesters, optoelectronics and LED, supercapacitors, chemical (bio-)sensors, and rechargeable batteries), were carried out. These (nano-)structured Carbons were successfully tested and employed to produce conductive inks, useful for both screen printing and spray-coating production of miniaturized electrodes The screen-electrode was printed both on flexible and stretchable materials. For the stretchable ones, electrical parameters variations were studied when remarkable physical stress is applied to the electrode. The produced electrodes were employed to develop sensors and biosensors for application in different fields.
Regarding the activated carbon production, both carbon fibres and non-wovens were used to perform trials for obtaining activated carbon. However, goods results were got obtained only with non-wovens. Activated carbon felts from non-wovens had promising results. Supercapacitors and hydrogen energy storage are two of the possible end-uses of the activated carbon felts produced in EUCALIVA.
Lastly, the EUCALVIA team has developed an exploitation strategy that is complementary with all the partners’ research and/or business activities. The principal objectives related to the exploitation of results are as follows:
- Identifying relevant IP to be derived from project results in order to protect it.
- Distribution and /or ownership of foreground IP between partners
- Update of the patent analysis of new identified competing patents.
- Establishment of a best practice for the knowledge transfer from the RTOs and uptake by the SMEs (technology transfer).
- Identification and contact with potential STAKEHOLDERS stakeholders interested in the project results: (i) Suppliers (hemp processors, and ingredient manufacturers), (ii) distributors (ingredient suppliers, retailers and other players in the supply chain), and (iii) potential users (consumers, large food companies, etc.)
- Establishment of a marketing strategy and preferred route to market.
