Ligineb

Ligineb is a hypothetical class of porous hybrid materials discussed in theoretical and speculative literature on energy storage and carbon capture. The name combines lignin-derived organic linkers with inorganic metal nodes, yielding a covalently bound network that is intended to resemble metal-organic frameworks but with distinctive linker chemistry and potential for enhanced stability.

Conceptually, ligineb frameworks are envisioned as three-dimensional lattices in which multidentate organic ligands derived from lignin fragments connect metal clusters (for example, iron, aluminum, or magnesium nodes). The resulting structure is predicted to exhibit high porosity, tunable pore sizes, and a robust chemical and thermal profile suitable for harsh operating environments. In theoretical designs, surface areas on the order of several hundred to a few thousand square meters per gram and pore volumes around 0.6–1.2 cm3/g are cited, with the ability to tailor porosity through linker length and functional groups.

Synthesis concepts proposed for ligineb involve solvothermal or ionothermal methods using lignin-derived fragments as organic linkers, paired with metal salts under controlled temperatures and templating conditions. Variants are imagined by altering metal nodes, linker functionality, and post-synthetic modifications to adjust hydrophobicity, acidity, or electronic structure.

Potential applications highlighted in speculative discourse include selective gas adsorption (notably CO2 capture), heterogeneous catalysis, and energy storage as electrode materials or capacitive scaffolds. As of now, ligineb remains primarily a theoretical construct with limited experimental validation; it is often cited in discussions contrasting traditional MOFs and covalent organic frameworks.

See also: metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, porous polymers.