Green Chemistry is proud to present the Green Chemistry Emerging Investigators Series. This collection aims to highlight the excellent research being carried out by researchers in the early stages of their independent career from across the breadth of green chemistry. For more information about this series, click here
Among the contributions to this series is a Tutorial Review entitled The development of lignin towards a natural and sustainable platform for optical materials
Read our interview with the corresponding author Lin Dai below.
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What aspects of this work are you most excited about at the moment and what do you find most challenging about it?
In addition to providing mechanical support and conferring chemical and biological resistance to trees and other natural plants, lignin exhibits a variety range of optical properties, including photothermal conversion, ultraviolet blocking, photoluminescence, and aggregation-induced emission. This inherent combination of mechanical and optical functionalities offers a highly promising source of inspiration for the development of advanced optical materials, representing one of the most compelling attributes of lignin. We regard the following aspects as the most challenging:
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What is the next step? What work is planned?
My research team is dedicated to advancing the field of “lignin chemistry and materials,” with a particular focus on the macromolecular design of lignin and the development of its functional properties. For instance, we aim to elucidate the photothermal conversion mechanisms of lignin molecules and explore pathways for the repolymerization of industrial lignin fragments. We are committed to expanding the application scope of lignin-based materials and enhancing their practical performance.
Please describe your journey to becoming an independent researcher
My research career began at Beijing Forestry University, where I pursued my doctoral studies under the dedicated guidance of Professors Jiandu Lei and Jing He. Their mentorship was instrumental in developing my expertise in molecular modification and the design and fabrication of micro‑ and nanomaterials.
I have further expanded my research capabilities through postdoctoral training under the supervision of Professor Yonghao Ni, at the University of New Brunswick. This experience allowed me to deepen my knowledge in biomass‑based and paper‑based functional materials, while strengthening my ability to integrate theoretical foundations with practical applications.
Since joining Tianjin University of Science and Technology in 2016, I have actively engaged in numerous interdisciplinary collaborations, which have led to several innovative research outcomes. Collectively, these educational and collaborative experiences have equipped me with the skills to identify research directions, organize teams, and execute projects, ultimately shaping my path as an independent researcher.
Can you share one piece of career-related advice or wisdom with other early career scientists?
Continuous learning, active engagement, critical thinking, and effective execution.
Why did you choose to publish in Green Chemistry?
Green Chemistry is a leading journal in the fields of chemistry and sustainable technology, widely recognized for its high academic prestige. Our manuscript aligns closely with the journal’s scope, and we believe that publication in this journal will effectively disseminate our research findings to a broad and relevant audience within the scientific community.
