Formulation and characterization of biobased gel materials
Description of the line
In this area of research, gel-type materials derived from fractions obtained from biomass in the biorefinery research line are formulated. The gels are composed of a dispersed liquid phase and a continuous solid phase (matrix). Depending on the type of liquid phase, gels are called by different names: oleogels (oils), hydrogels (water), ionogels (ionic liquids), organogels (organic solvents) and alcogels (alcohols). This research line is currently focused on the production and characterization of “physical” gels obtained from the cellulosic fractions obtained in biorefinery that is incorporated as a continuous solid phase of these materials. The main types of gels formulated are: ionogels, hydrogels and aerogels/xerogels. The formulation of the gels is optimized for some of their main applications, such as for use in the medical/pharmaceutical sector. The characterization of these materials is based on the study of their thermal and rheological properties, and structure by NMR, FTIR and SEM analysis.
Funding:
P2018/EMT-4348 (SUSTEC-CM)
Project PID2020-113570RB-I00: Biorrefineria integrada de madera y huesos de frutas: escalado, formulación de bioproductos y análisis tecnoeconómico