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Bioplastics were produced by mixing starch with sorbitol, glacial acetic acid, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) during the manufacturing process. The physical characteristics of the bioplastics were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Tensile strength, elongation, and Young's modulus tests were utilized to assess the mechanical characteristics of bioplastics. The bioplastic with the highest tensile strength was BP3 (7.03 ± 0.34 N/mm2), whereas BP0 had a tensile strength of 1.57 ± 0.11 N/m2. The addition of CMC increased the viscosity of the solution and, consequently, the strength of the bioplastic. The range of bioplastic hydrophobicity was ~ 128.32–323.74%. FTIR and XPS test results indicated that the physical mixing utilized during synthesis did not result in the addition of functional groups other than the native functional groups of the substances since no chemical reaction occurred. The thermal behavior investigation revealed that increasing the amount of CMC added to TPS can increase the presence of O–H functional groups in bioplastics, contributing to an increase in the glass transition temperature. Furthermore, both bioplastics broke down at ~ 250 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional papermaking was a significant innovation that intrigued the information-sharing society in a wide range of the globe. The importance of finding the historical background hidden behind the historical traditional paper is critical to understanding societies in history. Advanced molecular biological research is applied to many forensic studies to identify the origin and criminal events. Yet, biological research refrained from the heritage science of traditional papers due to its damage to the samples. The current study explores the Pearson correlation between DNA in traditional paper and non-destructive measurement of characteristics of traditional paper. DNA concentration and purity were found to have a proportional relationship based on the CIEL*a*b* color system. The color of the traditional paper was assessed assessment shows green and yellow rather than red and blue. The DNA concentration demonstrated a positive linear correlation with the peaks of 992 cm−1, 1599 cm−1, and 1628 to 1638 cm−1 region, which were lignin-specific functional groups. The presence of lignin in traditional paper defines the colors green and yellow, which is related to the presence of a cell wall. The quantity of cell walls present is linked to DNA survival during the traditional papermaking process. Furthermore, the partial least square (PLS) regression model is established. The prediction model based on DNA, paper properties, and smoothing + the second derivative preprocessed attenuated total reflection-Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectral data demonstrated valid purity predictions. The evaluation parameter of the cross-validated prediction model contains a low Root Mean Square Error of Cross-Validation (RMSECV) of 0.091 for DNA purity. The determination coefficient was close to 1. However, the further establishment of a validated DNA extraction methodology is required for the consistency of the prediction model for DNA concentration. The hierarchical clustering analysis demonstrated the agglomerative dendrogram on traditional paper samples. For the dendrogram, the Nasu paper mulberry (originating in northern Japan) was distinguished from another paper mulberry (originating in southwestern Japan) by clustering. By multivariate statistical analysis, the DNA presence and quality were predictable from the Japanese traditional papers. In addition, the clustering analysis provided the possible origin of paper mulberry materials for traditional papers. Based on the preliminary information, the need for DNA analysis on historical traditional paper can be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is challenging to purify oily wastewater, which affects water-energy-food production. One promising method is membrane-based separation. This paper reviews the current research trend of applying cellulose as a membrane material that mimics one of three typical biostructures: superhydrophobic, underwater superoleophobic, and Janus surfaces. Nature has provided efficient and effective structures through the evolutionary process. This has inspired many researchers to create technologies that mimic nature's structures or the fabrication process. Lotus leaves, fish scales, and Namib beetles are three representative structures with distinct functional and surface properties: superhydrophobic, underwater superoleophobic, and Janus surfaces. The characteristics of these structures have been widely studied and applied to membrane materials to improve their performance. One attractive membrane material is cellulose, whichhas been studied from the perspective of its biodegradability and sustainability. In this review, the principles, mechanisms, fabrication processes, and membrane performances are summarized and compared. The theory of wettability is also described to build a comprehensive understanding of the concept. Finally, future outlook is discussed to challenge the gap between laboratory and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple one-step microwave-assisted synthesis approach for preparing fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) with an average diameter of 7.86 nm from 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical-mediated-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TEMPO-CNF) and 4,7,10-Trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine is reported in this study. The synthesized TEMPO-CDs exhibited excitation-dependent emission, with optimal excitation and emission wavelengths of 390 nm and 449 nm (bright blue ray), respectively. The fluorescence properties of the synthesized TEMPO-CDs were successfully and selectively quenched by Fe3+ within seconds and by Mn2+ after 10 min. Thus, this phenomenon is further applicable to the development of a fluorescence-sensing system for the quantitative detection of Fe3+ and Mn2+ using the same CD probe; this is the first time such findings have been reported in the CD-related literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study clarifies the absorption behavior of micro-droplets of water on treated paper to support the design of functional microstructures, such as electronics and micro-fluid channels, on paper. The period of time between when a micro-droplet of water ejected from an ink-jet head lands on the paper's surface and its complete disappearance by absorption was defined as the micro-sizing degree (MSD), and an MSD measurement method was established. The MSD was evaluated using microscopic high-speed video images of the side view recorded every millisecond. Several grades of commercially available ink-jet paper media and laboratory sheets having different levels of water repellency prepared from a pulp and a sizing agent were examined. The MSD of commercial ink-jet papers, which are known to absorb water very quickly, was 3-6 ms. Weakly sized laboratory sheets exhibited a lower MSD of 2-3 ms. The absorption behavior was analyzed in terms of the capillary pressure with and without the Laplace pressure; the theoretical and experimental results agreed moderately well. The results indicated that the Laplace pressure cannot be neglected in the analysis. The MSD of a wet surface where a preceding micro-droplet had already landed was higher than that on a dry or partially wet surface, presumably because water remains inside pores for an unexpectedly long time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laid lines are observed frequently in Japanese paper. For restoration of historic document paper, the laid line intervals should be consistent between the restoration paper and the original paper for harmonized appearance. Considering this prerequisite, the perception mechanisms of the laid lines are discussed. Laid lines can be easily observed against backlight. However, there are several cases where laid lines are not visible against backlight, but are clearly visible with diffuse reflected light. With paper sheets formed on screens with short bamboo splint pitches, laid lines were observed only with diffuse reflected light. Within these sheets, there was no fiber mass distribution or surface roughness that correlated with the periodicity of the laid lines. On the other hand, paper sheets produced using long splint pitches exhibited light transmission unevenness, fiber mass unevenness, and surface roughness. Microscopic observations using two-way low-angle illumination revealed the following mechanism. In the flow sheet-forming method, fibers are oriented strongly in the cross-splint direction in the first layer while some fibers rotate and become aligned along the interspaces between the splints in the second layer during dehydration. Bidirectionally oriented fibers perpendicular to each other result in a contrasting reflectivity perceived as laid lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two types of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) surface characteristics were evaluated by oil contact angle under ethanol–water solution at several concentrations as well as in air. Wood pulp-based 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxylradical (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCNF) sheets and bamboo-derived mechanical counter collision cellulose nanofiber (ACC-CNF) sheets were fabricated by casting followed by drying. The CNF shows underwater superoleophobic mimicking fish skin properties and slippery surface mimicking Nepenthes pitcher. The underwater superoleophobic properties of CNF was evaluated theoretically and experimentally. The theoretical calculation and experimental results of contact angle showed a large deviation. The roughness, zeta potential, and water absorption at different concentrations were key factors that determine the deviation. Antifouling investigation revealed that CNF was a good candidate for antifouling material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]