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As for cellulose‐based aerogels, a feature of inadequate mechanics and easy‐flammability seriously restricts their practical applications. To address this issue, herein a lightweight, mechanical elastic and flame‐retardant phosphorylated lignin‐based cellulose nanofiber (PLCNF‐B) aerogel with the aid of boric acid was successfully obtained by freeze‐drying method. Due to the uniform and tough network structure benefitting by strong hydrogen bond between phosphorylated fibers and boric acid, the resultant aerogel showed excellent mechanical performance, that is, high compressive strength of 8.9 kPa (strain: 50%) and outstanding cyclic reliability (remain 90% after 10 cycles). Meanwhile, PLCNF‐B aerogel possesses highly improved flame‐retardant property, that is, a high LOI value (up to 46%), significantly reduced peak heat release rate (11.2 W/g) and total heat release rate (0.47 kJ/g). Based on structural observation and analysis, the flame‐retardant behavior should be attributed to the formation of PxOy/amorphous boron oxide protective layer, which is derived from the phosphorus containing group of PLCNF and boric acid. The splendid overall performance of aerogel material offers a potential material tactic for design and development of advanced bio‐based aerogels for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer waste in the environment is a more and more serious problem for nature. Therefore, the industry is increasingly interested in the use of materials that are biodegradable. Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) belongs to the group of biodegradable polymers, but this polymer often does not have the desired properties for many uses. Therefore, this polymer is often mixed with other biodegradable polymers to form blends with suitable properties. An alternative is, to change the polymer's properties with the addition of fibers. The aim of the present work is to use lyocell fibers to improve the mechanical properties of PBAT. Lyocell is an eco‐friendly cellulose fiber that is biodegradable. The lyocell fibers were embedded into a PBAT matrix in the form of a woven fabric, with different orientations of the fabric warp yarns to the long axis of composites. Consequently, composites with a warp yarn orientation of 0°, ±22.5°, ±45°, ±67.5°, and 90° were prepared. The mechanical properties were characterized by quasi‐static tensile testing and also by dynamic mechanical analysis. The elastic modulus as a function of warp yarn orientation was modeled with the modified rule‐of‐mixture theory and with the theory of elasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of polypropylene (PP) composites produced by adding 10% old newspaper fibers (ONP), 5% microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), 3% polypropylene carbonate (PPC), and waste toner from 1% to 4% on the mechanical properties, physical properties, morphological, and thermal properties were investigated. According to the FTIR‐ATR and SEM‐EDS analysis results, it was determined that a significant part of the waste toner used in the study consisted of polystyrene co‐acrylate, and the remaining part consisted of carbon black and trace amounts of silicate. In the research, it was determined that the flexural and tensile strengths of MCC/ONP/PP composites containing 1% waste toner and 3% PPC increased by 13% and 46%, respectively, compared to the control sample. Additionally, the samples with the lowest water absorption values were measured in composites containing 1% waste toner and 3% PPC. The highest crystallinity value (50.75%) was obtained with the use of 1% waste toner and 3% PPC in MCC/ONP/PP composites. However, with waste toner usage above 1%, the mechanical, thermal properties, and water absorption rate have slightly decreased. As a result of the study, it was concluded that up to 1% waste toner with 3% PPC can be used successfully in MCC/ONP/PP composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymeric fibers are often used as a drying additive for refractory castables because they can increase their permeability, reducing the risk of pressurization that is believed to trigger explosive spalling. Despite the potential of synthetic polymers to be engineered and obtain desired properties, the required parameters for inducing permeability enhancement remain unclear. This inhibits the development of novel designed drying additives and improvement of the numerical models. This work investigates the effect of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and cellulose fibers on the water transport in refractory castables through rapid neutron tomography, enabling the in situ visualization of the water distribution, the drying front advance and the size, intensity and duration of moisture accumulation. PE and cellulose fibers accelerate drying fronts earlier than PP, in which PE exhibits larger moisture accumulation, residual moisture behind its drying front and a slower drying rate at higher temperatures despite the early water removal initiation. In contrast, cellulose emerged as a better candidate, due to a swelling–shrinkage based mechanism. The neutron tomography observations unveil the dynamic and intricate effect of fibers in the permeability, emphasizing that safer industrial processes require a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms to develop better fibers and accurate numerical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isolation of cellulose nanofibers from areca nut shell has been successfully carried out using a simple alkaline treatment, acid hydrolysis, and followed by a morphological modification using low‐energy sonication method. The alkaline treatment consists of dewaxing and bleaching process to remove lignin, while acid hydrolysis process was carried out to remove hemicellulose. Mechanical fibrillation was carried out via ultrasonication and low‐power homogenization with 100 W cleaner and 3 W homogenizer to obtain fine fibers. Following the scanning electron microscope (SEM) result, the ultrasonicated treatment sample showed better lignin and hemicellulose removal processes and increased dispersity, as well as reduce diameter of cellulose fibers from 710.4 to 451.6 nm. The particle size analyzer (PSA) showed that the colloidal cellulose after sonication provide a frequent diameter of 56 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy result showed that sonication is an effective removal process of noncellulosic components. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the crystallinity of nanocellulose decrease following the sonication process. Hence, low‐energy ultrasonication is a viable approach to enhance the morphology and mechanical strength of cellulose nanofiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY Cotton fiber is the most valuable naturally available material for the textile industry and the fiber length and strength are key determinants of its quality. Dynamic changes in the pectin, xyloglucan, xylan, and cellulose polysaccharide epitope content during fiber growth contribute to complex remodeling of fiber cell wall (CW) and quality. Detailed knowledge about polysaccharide compositional and structural alteration in the fiber during fiber elongation and strengthening is important to understand the molecular dynamics of fiber development and improve its quality. Here, large‐scale glycome profiling coupled with fiber phenotype and transcriptome profiling was conducted on fiber collected daily covering the most critical window of fiber development. The profiling studies with high temporal resolution allowed us to identify specific polysaccharide epitopes associated with distinct fiber phenotypes that might contribute to fiber quality. This study revealed the critical role of highly branched RG‐I pectin epitopes such as β‐1,4‐linked‐galactans, β‐1,6‐linked‐galactans, and arabinogalactans, in addition to earlier reported homogalacturonans and xyloglucans in the formation of cotton fiber middle lamella and contributing to fiber plasticity and elongation. We also propose the essential role of heteroxylans (Xyl‐MeGlcA and Xyl‐3Ar), as a guiding factor for secondary CW cellulose microfibril arrangement, thus contributing to fiber strength. Correlation analysis of profiles of polysaccharide epitopes from glycome data and expression profiles of glycosyltransferase‐encoding genes from transcriptome data identified several key putative glycosyltransferases that are potentially involved in synthesizing the critical polysaccharide epitopes. The findings of this study provide a foundation to identify molecular factors that dictate important fiber traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, two green extraction methods are explored to valorize rice straw into cellulose fibers (CFs), namely subcritical water extraction (SWE) and combined ultrasound‐heating treatment (USHT). The resultant fibers are, thereafter, successfully pretreated with (3‐glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (GPS) and incorporated at 3% wt into poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) by melt‐mixing. The green composites are shaped into films by thermo‐compression and characterized in terms of their performance for food packaging applications. The chemical analysis of the fibers reveals that SWE is more effective to selectively remove hemicelluloses than USHT, whereas silanization promotes the removal of lignin in both fiber types. Fiber incorporation, more notably in the case of the silanized fibers, restricts the movement of the PBS chains, indicating good interaction with the biopolyester matrix. In particular, CFs act as antinucleating agents in PBS, delaying both glass transition and crystallization from the melt phenomena and hindering crystal formation. Furthermore, the fibers mechanically reinforce and improve the oxygen barrier of the PBS films. The highest barrier enhancement is obtained for the thermo‐compressed composite film with silanized fibers obtained by SWE, yielding a decrease of nearly 20% in the permeability to oxygen versus the unfilled PBS film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable functionalization of bacterial cellulose for cost‐effective bionanocomposites with desired properties has received growing attention in recent years. This article presents the results of work aimed at obtaining bionanocomposite materials based on bacterial cellulose, a natural and eco‐friendly material. Bacterial cellulose obtained from the Kombucha symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) fermentation process is functionalized by embedding with diatom frustules, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). The effects of functionalization on mechanical, optical, plasmonic, electrical, chemiluminescent, and antimicrobial properties are evaluated. Morphological characteristics of the nanocomposites are studied using electron microscopy. Addition of diatom frustules introduced into the SCOBY culture media results in bionanocomposite materials with enhanced tensile strength and increased ultraviolet (UV) blockage properties. In situ functionalization of bacterial cellulose with AgNPs tunes plasmonic and chemiluminescent properties, revealing the biosensing potential of the material. Modified bacterial cellulose shows antimicrobial activity in experiments with gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. Dual functionalization of bacterial cellulose with PEDOT:PSS and AgNPs results in improved electrical conductivity of the bionanocomposite. Overall, bottom‐up physical functionalization approaches and the resulting bionanocomposite materials will open up new opportunities for the low‐cost production of green materials and contribute to the development of a sustainable economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Practical simulation training with proper haptic feedback and the fragility of the human body is required to overcome the long learning curve associated with laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR). However, few hernia models accurately reflect the texture and fragility of the human body. Therefore, in this study, we developed a novel model for transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) LIHR training and evaluated its validity. Methods: We developed a high‐quality mock peritoneum with a hydrated polyvinyl alcohol layer and a unique two‐way crossing cellulose fiber layer. To complete the simulation, the peritoneum was adhered to a urethane foam inguinal base with surgical landmarks. Participants could perform all the procedures required for the TAPP LIHR. Twenty‐four surgeons performed TAPP LIHR simulation using a novel simulator. Their opinions were rated on a 5‐point Likert scale. Additionally, 6 surgical residents and 10 surgical experts performed the procedure. Their performance was evaluated using the TAPP checklist score and procedure time. Results: Most participants strongly agreed that the TAPP LIHR simulator with an exchangeable peritoneum model was useful. The participants agreed on the model fidelity for tactile sensation, forceps handling, and humanlike anatomy. In comparisons between surgical residents and experts, the experts had significantly higher scores (10.6 vs. 17.2, p < 0.05) and shorter procedure times (92.3 vs. 55.9 min; p <.05) than did surgical residents. Conclusions: We developed a high‐quality exchangeable peritoneal model that mimics the human peritoneum's texture and fragility. This model enhances laparoscopic simulation training, potentially shortening TAPP LIHR learning curves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of phosphorous (P), and oxygen (O) heteroatoms in the natural honeydew chemical structure is one of the most effective, and practical approaches to synthesizing activated carbon for possible high‐performance energy storage applications. The performance metrics of supercapacitors depend on surface functional groups and high‐surface‐area electrodes that can play a dominant role in areas that require high‐power applications. Here, we report a phosphorous and oxygen co‐doped honeydew peel‐derived activated carbon (HDP‐AC) electrode with low surface area for supercapacitor via H3PO4 activation. This activator forms phosphorylation with cellulose fibers in the HDP. The formation of heteroatoms stabilizes the cellulose structure by preventing the formation of levoglucosan (C6H10O5), a cellulose combustion product, which would otherwise offer a pathway for a substantial degradation of cellulose into volatile products. Therefore, heteroatom doping has proved effective, in improving the electrochemical properties of AC‐based electrodes for supercapacitors. The specific capacitance of HDP‐AC exhibits greatly improved performance with increasing carbon‐to‐H3PO4 ratio, especially in energy density and power density. The improved performance is attributed to the high phosphorous doping with a hierarchical porous structure, which enables the transportation of ions at higher current rates. The high specific capacitance of 486, and 478 F/g at 0.6, and 1.3 A/g in 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte with a prominent retention of 98.5 % is observed for 2 M H3PO4 having an impregnation ratio of 1 : 4. The higher yield of HDP‐AC could only be obtained at an activation temperature of 500 °C with an optimized amount of H3PO4 ratio. The findings suggest that the concentration of heteroatoms as surface functional groups in the synthesized HDP‐AC depends on the chosen biomass precursor and the processing conditions. This work opens new avenues for utilizing biomass‐derived materials in energy storage, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices in addressing environmental challenges and advancing toward a greener future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights This study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating Mahua oil cake microcellulose (MOCM) on the mechanical and sound absorption properties of flax fiber‐reinforced polymer composites fabricated using the compression molding technique. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that MOCM had a crystallite size (Cs) of 6.71 nm and a crystallinity index (CI) of 63.25%, indicating its potential for mechanical reinforcement. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated that MOCM exhibits thermal stability up to 355.44°C, which is suitable for high‐temperature applications. Mechanical testing revealed that the incorporating 7.5 wt.% MOCM into flax fiber composites achieved optimal results, with the tensile strength reaching 70.23 MPa, flexural strength peaking at 113.23 MPa, and impact strength at 33.4 kJ/m2. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the improved interfacial bonding between the fibers and matrix, contributing to enhanced mechanical performance. The noise reduction coefficient (NRC) and sound absorption coefficient (SAC) also improved with increasing MOCM content, with the highest SAC (0.328) and NRC (0.312) values observed at 10 wt.% MOCM. These findings suggest that MOCM enhances both the mechanical and acoustic properties of flax fiber composites, making it a promising material for applications in the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries, where both structural integrity and sound absorption are critical. Novel use of MOCM as sustainable cellulose for polymer composites Synergy of MOCM and flax fibers enhances mechanical and acoustic properties 7.5% MOCM compositions optimally improves strength and sound absorption MOCM: eco‐friendly alternative to synthetic fillers in polymers Comprehensive MOCM characterization for future biomaterial applications [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining cellulose‐based components with functional materials is highly interesting in various research fields due to the improved strength and stiffness of the materials combined with their low weight. Herein, the mechanical properties of opal films are improved by incorporating cellulose fibers and microcrystalline cellulose. This is evidenced by the increase in tensile strength of 162.8% after adding 10 wt% of microcrystalline cellulose. For this purpose, core–shell particles with a rigid, crosslinked polystyrene core and a soft shell of poly(ethyl acrylate) and poly(ethyl acrylate‐co‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) are synthesized via starved‐feed emulsion polymerization. The synthesized particles' well‐defined shape, morphology, and thermal properties are analyzed using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry measurements. Free‐standing mechanochromic opal films with incorporated cellulose and structural colors are obtained after processing the core–shell particles with cellulose via extrusion and the melt‐shear organization technique. The homogeneous distribution of the cellulose within the composite material is investigated using fluorescent‐labeled cellulose. The opal film's angle‐dependent structural color is demonstrated using reflection spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser induced graphene (LIG), prepared directly with an in situ synthesis method onto Kraft Paper substrates, is proposed for the manufacture of biodegradable electronic devices. The investigation explores the influence of laser power and scanning speed on the properties of LIG conductive tracks and a sheet resistance of up to 0.25 kΩ sq−1. Raman spectroscopy and microscopy is used to analyse the interfacial properties, in particular the transition of cellulose fibers to carbonized graphene flakes through photothermal pyrolysis, leading to the formation of coral‐like structures. To demonstrate the applicability of the approach, flexible resistive heaters have been manufactured and tests show rapid heating with a homogeneous distribution and a maximum temperature of 145.5 °C. Additionally, an electro‐thermal conversion efficiency (hr+c) of 17.05 mW (°C cm2)−1 is achieved. Finally, a comparative Life Cycle Assessment with FR‐4 based electronics has been undertaken and the environmental impacts are calculated. The impact assessment shows a two magnitude lower impact on the environment for most categories, which suggests the approach is beneficial for the environment at a global production level. The results show that the photothermal pyrolysis of Kraft paper using a laser diode allows for low‐impact devices flexible and green electronics products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose, a naturally abundant biopolymer, holds great potential as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers. However, the limited understanding and awareness surrounding cellulose utilization, particularly from agricultural origins, have impeded the complete harnessing of this highly biodegradable resource. This study aimed to extract and characterize cellulose from jute and banana fibers. The extracted cellulose exhibits a light yellow to white color, and microscopic analysis of the fibers showed micro‐fibrils. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) characterization indicated that the extracted cellulose from biomass primarily consists of cellulose II structures, except for the treated banana fiber (M:L = 1:8), which contains both cellulose I and II. Moreover, increasing the M:L ratio of alkali treatment enhanced the percentage of cellulose‐II, as observed from the XRD data. The findings of this study carry significant implications for the efficient production of cellulose fibers, with diverse applications spanning from high‐volume products like regenerated fibers, automotive parts, packaging, absorbent products (diapers), textiles, and precast concrete, drug delivery mediums, electronics, additive manufacturing, bone and tissue scaffolding, and so on. This research opens the door to harnessing the potential of cellulose derived from jute and banana fibers in various industries. Highlights: Extraction cellulose using the kraft process.Isolated cellulose shows a micron‐sized structure.Optimal extraction achieved with M:L ratio of 1:4.Applications of isolated cellulose: regenerated fibers, packaging, absorbent products (diapers), textiles, and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study focused on improving the properties of polylactic acid (PLA) for wider application in load‐bearing scenarios. Various methods were explored to optimize the interaction between PLA and natural fibers, particularly wood fibers (WFs). Alkalized and epoxy‐impregnated WFs were evaluated against untreated WFs and cellulose fibers in both injection molding (IM) and fused deposition modeling (FDM). FTIR analysis revealed the removal of hemicellulose and lignin in alkalized WFs and uniform epoxy curing. Addition of fibers reduced PLA's thermal stability while acting as nucleating agents. Additionally, fibers augmented the storage modulus of biocomposites, with alkalized fibers exhibiting the highest tensile modulus in IM. FDM samples with a 0° raster angle showed superior impact resistance compared to IM counterparts. Moreover, raster angle significantly influenced FDM biocomposite properties, enhancing the tensile strength and modulus of untreated WF and cellulose fibers at 0°. Although FDM did not produce alkalized WF samples, epoxy impregnation emerged as a promising method for enhancing PLA/WF composite mechanical properties in the IM process, offering valuable insights for composite material development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose fibers were modified via aqueous silane‐graphene oxide (GO) coordination by flash drying and extrusion dispersion process. The adsorption of GO reduced the polarity of the cellulose fiber surface and attenuated the agglomeration effect between the cellulose fibers, thus facilitating the dispersion of fibers in the rubber matrix. Adding aqueous 3‐aminopropylsilane oligomer (8150) incorporated active sites on the surface of cellulose fibers, thereby improving the interfacial binding properties of cellulose nano fibers (CNFs) and natural rubber (NR). After blending the modified CNFs with NR latex, high‐temperature flocculation was performed using an atomised flash device. Finally, CNF/NR was pre‐dispersed through a twin‐screw extruder, after which a CNF/NR masterbatch with excellent performance was prepared. Experimental results revealed that composites prepared using GO‐8150 via the flash drying‐twin‐screw dispersion process exhibited excellent dispersion characteristics, processing properties, mechanical properties, rolling resistance, wear resistance, and heat generation properties. Compared with traditional dry mixing, the composites prepared by flash drying‐twin‐screw dispersion process showed a 16.95% increase in tensile strength, 16.07% increase in 300% constant elongation, 19.01% reduction in abrasion consumption, 42.26% reduction in rolling resistance, and a reduction in the Payne effect. This study offers an efficient and environmentally friendly method for the high‐value utilization of natural fibers and the preparation of NR composites with excellent properties, while providing a green and nonpolluting modification process with no acidic liquid discharge. Highlights: GO‐8150 reduces the polarity of the fibers and promotes dispersion.The flash extrusion dispersion process achieves green flocculation.42% lower rolling resistance for rubber composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coconut fibers contain many lignocellulosic components; therefore, they have the potential to be used as cellulose‐based materials. This study aims to synthesize carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) for bioplastic applications from coconut fiber cellulose obtained from South Tangerang, Indonesia. The isolation of cellulose was conducted in two key stages: alkaline treatment using a delignification reactor and bleaching with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The facile synthesis of CMC involved two important steps: alkaline treatment and carboxymethylation of isolated cellulose. The yield of cellulose isolated from coconut fiber was 16.39% for biomass and 64.84% for delignification products. The cellulose produced exhibited a crystallinity index (C.I.) of 89%. The yield of CMC was 14.67%, with a C.I. was 56.66%. The CMC obtained was categorized as having a medium molecular weight of 249,048 Da with a polymerization degree of 1046. Cellulose starts to decompose at a temperature interval of 292.05–381.45°C, whereas CMC decomposes at a lower temperature interval of 245.42–299.73°C. Thermochemical calculations were conducted by using the density functional theory (DFT), confirming a spontaneous reaction with a Gibbs free energy of −5.25 kJ mol−1. Bioplastics were fabricated in two stages: blending with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMChi) and plasticizing with glycerol. The addition of CMCh increased the C.I. and tensile strength, while the addition of glycerol to CMC/CMChi (80/20) blend‐based bioplastic reduced the C.I. and tensile strength, but enhanced the relative contact angle. Highlights: Cellulose was isolated from coconut fibers through a two‐stage process involving delignification and bleaching;Carboxymethyl cellulose was synthesized by reacting the cellulose of coconut fibers with monochloroacetic acid in isopropanol with NaOH as the catayst;The optimum condition for achieving the highest elongation at break among the blending compositions was found in the CMC/CMChi (80/20) blend bioplastic;Adding up to 30 wt% glycerol decreased the tensile strength and increased the elongation at break;The addition of glycerol enhanced the hydrophobic properties of CMC/CMCh blend‐based bioplastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural polymer cellulose exhibits significant potential for various applications due to its unique optical, electronic, and chemical properties. However, the use of cellulose materials in luminescent applications has been relatively limited. This study aims to develop a simple and efficient method to enhance the fluorescence of cellulose materials by incorporating rare earth elements, thereby expanding their range of applications. In this work, we synthesized hybrid cellulose materials by grafting Eu‐bpy (H2bpydc=2,2‐bipyridine‐5,5‐dicarboxylic acid) onto the surface of cellulose fibers through a straightforward post‐processing procedure, resulting in materials with excellent fluorescence properties. By leveraging the abundant hydroxyl groups on the surface of cellulose fibers, Eu‐bpy@CF exhibits high luminescence in response to relative humidity and pH changes, with a noticeable color shift from light red to red visible to the naked eye. Consequently, these materials were further applied in the construction of smart fluorescent switches for the highly accurate and selective detection of phenylenediamine. Our research provides a simple approach to creating environmentally responsive handheld fluorescent papers and expands the diversity of rare‐earth cellulose fibers for developing new fluorescent materials with smart functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Nowadays, non‐timber sources are of greater interest as they avoid deforestation and the pollution which occurs with cellulose obtention. An emerging alternative is using weeds such as windmill grass (Chloris spp.) to isolate cellulose since the plant grows in large quantities near crops or landfills used for farming. The present study aims to explore windmill grass as an alternative source of cellulose for applications as reinforcement in biopolymeric matrices. Treatment was conducted using the peroxyformic pulping method, varying the formic acid (FA) and hydrogen peroxide (HP) concentration to obtain an optimum cellulose extraction condition. The isolated celluloses were analyzed for chemical composition, yield, chemical functionality, crystallinity, and morphology. The optimum pulping condition (FA = 87.5%, HP = 3%) shows the gradual removal of non‐cellulosic components by microscopy. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed a high crystallinity index (89.63%) with a characteristic cellulose type I pattern. To evaluate the reinforced effect of Chloris spp. celluloses, film formulations were made using sweet potato starch, glycerol, and cellulose at different concentrations (2.5, 5.0, and 7.5% w/w). The films' mechanical, physicochemical, and thermal properties were measured, and results indicate that adding cellulose fibers significantly improves these properties of sweet potato starch films, revealing further applications and non‐wood windmill grass added value with potential applications in the packaging sector. Windmill grass (Chloris spp.) is presented as a non‐wood source of cellulose. The peroxyformic method is reported as a less polluting cellulose extraction process. Optimal cellulose pulp presents enhanced physicochemical properties after bleaching. Cellulose‐reinforced sweet potato starch films exhibit a stable biopolymeric matrix. The films produced show enhanced water barrier and mechanical/thermal properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Dietary fibers (DFs) may influence the structural, nutritional and techno‐functional properties of starch within food systems. Moreover, DFs have favorable effects on the digestive system and potentially a lower glycemic index. These potential benefits may change depending on DF type. Starch processed in the presence of soluble and insoluble fibers can undergo different structural and functional changes, and the present study investigated the effects of short‐chain and long‐chain inulin and cellulose on the structural and digestive properties of wheat starch. RESULTS: The combined use of differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) provided insights into the structural changes in starch and inulin at different levels. Short‐chain and long‐chain inulin had higher water retention capacity and a potential to limit starch gelatinization. The FTIR results revealed an interaction between starch and inulin. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed morphological changes in starch and inulin after the hydrothermal treatment. Cellulose fiber was not affected by the hydrothermal treatment and had no influence on starch behavior. The structural differences observed through XRD, FTIR and scanning electron microscopy analyses between starch with and without inulin fibers did not significantly impact starch digestibility, except for the dilution effect caused by adding DFs. CONCLUSION: The present study highlights the importance of utilizing different analytical tools to assess changes in food samples at different scales. Although short‐chain and long‐chain inulin could potentially limit starch gelatinization, the duration of the heat treatment (90 °C for 10 min) was sufficient to ensure complete starch gelatinization. The dilution effect caused by adding fibers was the primary reason for the effect on starch digestibility. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work describes the preparation of bio‐based precursor carbon fibers (CFs) by a solvent‐free process. Fibers from lignin, cellulose acetate, and triacetin as plasticizer are successfully obtained by melt‐spinning showing a potential alternative to traditional precursor fibers from petroleum produced by wet‐spinning. Thermal, morphological, and structural properties of precursor fibers are studied. In particular, precursor fibers present glass transition temperatures lower than neat polymers, indicating the feasibility of using melt‐spinning due to an enhanced softening. Two stabilization thermal treatments with fast or slow heating are adopted to prepare the precursor fibers for carbonization. The CF yield achieves 32% for the materials at high lignin content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The porous nature and gel network of aerogel fibers make them ideal options for personal thermal management because they can significantly cut down on energy waste. However, aerogel fibers generally suffer from poor mechanical properties and single function. Herein, the porous continuous bacterial cellulose/graphene oxide@polydopamine core–shell aerogel fibers with high strength, excellent photothermal properties, and thermal insulation are investigated by wet spinning and freeze‐drying. The bacterial cellulose/graphene oxide@polydopamine aerogel fiber prepared by wet spinning method has a porous structure, which can prevent heat convection, reduce heat conduction, and suppress heat radiation, making the aerogel fiber have excellent thermal insulation properties. More crucially, graphene oxide may considerably enhance infrared radiation's capacity for heating, while polydopamine can enhance ultraviolet light absorption and boost photothermal conversion capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gels as compelling soft material shows its promising versatility in actuators, soft electronics, and biomedical sensors. However, most gel materials are too rigid to cope with long‐term changing scenarios and specific needs. Inspired by the switchable behavior of bio‐behavior of muscle, the study reports a thermodynamically controllable and stiffness‐transformative cellulose‐salt gel by simple thermal mixing of hydrous salt, cellulose nanofiber, and polyacrylamide. The achieved cellulosic gel with dynamic microstructure presents an amazing stiffness switchability between crystalline state and melted states of 32.38 to 0.02 MPa, as well as the regulable light transmittance between 41.59% and 93.43%. In addition, this cellulose‐salt gel has excellent thermal controllable behavior. That is, by controlling the crystallization process, the cellulose‐salt gel displays the start‐stop releasing‐energy behaviors on demand. Enabled by these outstanding properties, the study further demonstrates the promising application of cellulose‐salt gel in controllable soft‐rigid coupling thermoelectric device, showing the broader implications for wearable electronics aiming at on‐demand work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearable sensing technologies have witnessed rapid development in recent years due to their accessibility, functionality, and affordability. However, heat accumulation and electromagnetic interference in electronic components adversely affect the sensing performance and seriously damage human health. Herein, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs)‐based composites with high thermal conductivity (TC) and excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance are prepared using CNFs as templates followed by coating with tannic acid non‐covalent and 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane covalent co‐modified graphene nanoplatelets (denoted as mGNPs) through a simple electrostatic self‐assembly method. The subsequent hot‐pressing process yield order and layer mGNPs in CNFs‐based composites with mGNPs distributed along the orientation and in close contact with CNFs, a fashion similar to the human nervous system. The resulting CNFs‐based composites reveal a high TC of 136.2 W/(m·K) and a superior EMI shielding effectiveness of 105 dB. Thus, they are used as wearable sensors based on the triboelectric effect to monitor human health in real‐time, as well as express emotion through Morse code. In sum, the proposed strategy provides an avenue to prolong the service life of flexible wearable sensors and ensure their safe use, promising for future wisdom in healthcare and smart robotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are environmentally friendly building blocks used in the preparation of chiral nematic iridescent films through evaporation‐induced self‐assembly. However, the brittleness of CNC films limits their versatility, especially in applications that require mechanical flexibility. In this study, it is innovatively engineered flexible colored CNC films entirely composed of cellulose by introducing cross‐linked chemically modified cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) as a supporting network. By reducing the surface charge content of CNFs and anchoring them in a network, the disruption to the self‐assembly process of CNCs caused by CNFs is minimized. This effectively preserves the structural colors of CNCs films. Furthermore, the CNFs network enhances the tensile strength and elongation of these all‐cellulose composite films, enabling them to be folded with excellent flexibility while still maintaining a high Young's modulus. Vibrant red, green, and blue‐colored all‐cellulose photonic films can also be achieved by simply adjusting the sonication energy input on the suspension of CNCs. The all‐cellulose‐based flexible films have the potential to be applied as an eco‐friendly and sustainable photonic material when flexibility is essential, for instance, in applications like flexible sensors, anti‐counterfeit labels, or foldable display components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing (AM) is widely recognized as a versatile tool for achieving complex geometries and customized functionalities in designed materials. However, the challenge lies in selecting an appropriate AM method that simultaneously realizes desired microstructures and macroscopic geometrical designs in a single sample. This study presents a direct ink writing method for 3D printing intricate, high‐fidelity macroscopic cellulose aerogel forms. The resulting aerogels exhibit tunable anisotropic mechanical and thermal characteristics by incorporating fibers of different length scales into the hydrogel inks. The alignment of nanofibers significantly enhances mechanical strength and thermal resistance, leading to higher thermal conductivities in the longitudinal direction (65 mW m−1 K−1) compared to the transverse direction (24 mW m−1 K−1). Moreover, the rehydration of printed cellulose aerogels for biomedical applications preserves their high surface area (≈300 m2 g−1) while significantly improving mechanical properties in the transverse direction. These printed cellulose aerogels demonstrate excellent cellular viability (>90% for NIH/3T3 fibroblasts) and exhibit robust antibacterial activity through in situ‐grown silver nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocellulose and its derivatives represent the most abundant biopolymers on Earth, offering a wide range of advantages, including versatility in preparation, customizable functional group incorporation, and compatibility with various materials. They open up new horizons in the development of various types of metal‐ion batteries (MIBs). This work concisely categorizes nanocellulose design strategies, including rational isolation, surface chemical enhancement, and effective physical treatments. Subsequently, an overview of recent advancements in utilizing nanocellulose and its derivatives to enhance the performance of MIBs, from lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) to post lithium‐ion batteries (e.g., Na+, K+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Ca2+) are provided. The pivotal roles of nanocellulose in electrode design, interface engineering, electrolyte modification, and binder optimization are highlighted. Lastly, the challenges and prospects of utilizing nanocellulose and its derivatives in MIBs are delved into. This work aims to comprehensively cover recent developments in nanocellulose surface modification strategies and illuminate their current applications in emerging MIBs with impressive energy and power densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of 5G equipment, aerospace, sensors, thermal management devices and other fields in the direction of high power, high performance and miniaturization, the heat released during usage increases significantly, leaving great application prospects for heat dissipation materials. In spite of great attention paid to film materials due to their light weight and flexibility, they have the obvious disadvantage of poor thermal conductivity. In this work, carboxylated cellulose (CNF‐C)/dopamine‐coated nickel‐coated graphene (PDA‐Ni@GNS) composite films with high in‐plane thermal conductivity (in‐plane TC) have been fabricated by a simple vacuum‐assisted filtration method. In the prepared composite films, the flaky packing layers were found to be stacked orderly and form an excellent thermally conductive network, resulting in an increase in in‐plane TC by 322.1% (sample W4) as compared with that of neat films. By comparing the in‐plane TCs of the composite films with that of a commercial gasket, it was readily seen that the present composite films had fairly excellent heat dissipation properties. The composite exhibits not only sufficiently high in‐plane TC and tensile strength of 149.02 MPa but also exhibits hydrophobic property, imparting the composite films good working stability under extreme conditions, which ensured of their potential applications in thermal management materials. Highlights: The introduction of Ni promotes the construction of heat conduction path.High in‐plane TC is obtained through layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly.The modification of filler enhanced the mechanical properties of the films.The modification of fillers led to the hydrophobicity of the film.The introduction of PDA made the films have insulating properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), self‐healing elastomers stand out as a cutting‐edge field in Rubber Science and Technology. These materials have the potential to reduce resource consumption, prolong the lifespan of infrastructure and products, and contribute to the Circular Economy. This study presents the development of bio‐based self‐healing elastomeric composites prepared from blends of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and cellulose propionate (CP) reinforced with cellulose fibers (CFs). The ENR/CP ratio was optimized, with a 70/30 ratio enhancing the tensile strength (TS) of the base rubber and slightly reducing the elongation at break. This blend demonstrated a TS healing efficiency of 75% after a temperature‐driven healing protocol (200 bar at 150°C during 12 h). Then, the CF content was varied to enhance both mechanical performance and self‐healing capabilities. Remarkably, from medium‐high (5 phr to 15 phr) CF content, healing efficiencies higher than 85% were observed with important improvements in the mechanical performance. The self‐healing process was attributed to the synergistic interplay between the polymeric chain mobility and the formation of hydrogen bonds. This innovative approach promises materials with extended lifespans, mechanical robustness, and repairability, underscoring the commitment to SDGs 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. Highlights: Matrix of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and cellulose propionate (CP) blends.Cellulose fibers (CFs) reinforced the ENR/CP 70/30 optimized blend.CF addition increases tensile strength (TS) by up to 60%.Healing efficiency over 85% achieved with 5 phr to 15 phr CFs content.Self‐healing attributed to polymeric chain mobility and hydrogen bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to develop nanofibrous CO2 adsorbents by using of textile wastes as precursor materials. Therefore, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and PAN/cell nanofibers were produced from acrylic textile wastes. Nanofibrous membranes were subjected to stabilization, carbonization, and chemical activation processes, respectively, to produce activated carbon nanofiber (ACnF) structures. Elemental analysis, scanning electron microscope, FTIR, and Braunauer, Emmett, and Teller analyses were carried out and CO2 adsorption performance was tested. It was observed that all samples, except PAN/cell nanofibers carbonized at 900°C, preserved their nanofibrous structure. PAN ACnFs had a lower surface area; on the other hand, they were shown to have higher carbon dioxide adsorption values compared with PAN/cell ACnFs. Reasonable adsorption capacities as high as 3.53 and 2.99 mmol/g (at 298 K at a relative pressure of 0.989) were achieved by PAN and PAN/cell ACnFs, respectively. As a result, it was investigated that sustainable ACnF‐based carbon dioxide adsorbents could be produced by the thermochemical processing of electrospun nanofibers obtained from textile wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wide array of carbon materials finds extensive utility across various industrial applications today. Nonetheless, the production processes for these materials continue to entail elevated temperatures, necessitate the use of inert atmospheres, and often involve the handling of aggressive and toxic chemicals. The prevalent method for large‐scale carbon material production, namely the pyrolysis of waste biomass and polymers, typically unfolds within the temperature range of 500–700 °C under a nitrogen (N2) atmosphere. Unfortunately, this approach suffers from significant energy inefficiency due to substantial heat loss over extended processing durations. In this work, we propose an interesting alternative: the carbonization of photothermal nanocellulose/polypyrrole composite films through CO2 laser irradiation in the presence of air. This innovative technique offers a swift and energy‐efficient means of preparing carbon materials. The unique interaction between nanocellulose and polypyrrole imparts the film with sufficient stability to retain its structural integrity post‐carbonization. This breakthrough opens up new avenues for producing binder‐free electrodes using a rapid and straightforward approach. Furthermore, the irradiated film demonstrates specific and areal capacitances of 159 F g−1 and 62 μF cm−2, respectively, when immersed in a 2 M NaOH electrolyte. These values significantly surpass those achieved by current commercial activated carbons. Together, these attributes render CO2‐laser carbonization an environmentally sustainable and ecologically friendly method for carbon material production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomaterial‐based flexible electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding composite films are desirable in many applications of wearable electronic devices. However, much research focuses on improving the EMI shielding performance of materials, while optimizing the comprehensive safety of wearable EMI shielding materials has been neglected. Herein, wearable cellulose nanofiber@boron nitride nanosheet/silver nanowire/bacterial cellulose (CNF@BNNS/AgNW/BC) EMI shielding composite films with sandwich structure are fabricated via a simple sequential vacuum filtration method. For the first time, the electrical safety, biosafety, and thermal safety of EMI shielding materials are optimized integratedly. Since both sides of the sandwich structure contain CNF and BC electrical insulation layers, the CNF@BNNS/AgNW/BC composite films exhibit excellent electrical safety. Furthermore, benefiting from the AgNW conductive networks in the middle layer, the CNF@BNNS/AgNW/BC exhibit excellent EMI shielding effectiveness of 49.95 dB and ultra‐fast response Joule heating performance. More importantly, the antibacterial property of AgNW ensures the biosafety of the composite films. Meanwhile, the AgNW and the CNF@BNNS layers synergistically enhance the thermal conductivity of the CNF@BNNS/AgNW/BC composite film, reaching a high value of 8.85 W m‒1 K‒1, which significantly enhances its thermal safety when used in miniaturized electronic device. This work offers new ideas for fabricating biomaterial‐based EMI shielding composite films with high comprehensive safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) is an advanced bio‐nanomaterial. However, the hydroxyl groups on the surface of CNFs are highly polar, leading to its weak interfacial compatibility with natural rubber (NR). Therefore, it is necessary to organically modify CNFs by silanization to improve the interfacial compatibility between CNFs and NR, which can then be used to prepare high‐performance CNF/NR composites. In this study, the effect of plasma‐activated pre‐silanization of CNFs on the vulcanization characteristics, mechanical properties, Payne effect, and dynamic mechanical properties of CNF/NR composites is investigated. The high‐energy impact of the plasma weakens the agglomeration of CNFs and increased the fiber surface roughness, providing a larger contact reaction area for the silanization reaction between the silane coupling agent and CNFs. The results show that the prepared CNF/NR composites have excellent physical and mechanical properties and processing safety. Compared with the unmodified CNF, its DIN wear increases by 4%, tensile strength increases by 23%, reinforcement factor increases by 7%, rolling resistance decreases by 6.3%, and Mooney viscosity decreases by 17.6%. Overall, this study presents a novel approach for the high‐value utilization of CNFs and the preparation of NR composites with exceptional properties, thereby establishing a solid foundation for the application of all‐steel treads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demands for safe and quality packaged food have diverted all the intentions toward the enhancement of hazard detection and quantification techniques. The integration of smart functions with the novel biomaterials‐based packaging provides an effective approach to deal with the uplifting concerns of food safety and environmental pollution. In the current study, firstly the cellulose was extracted from coconut waste, then it was subjected to prepare biodegradable films and lastly the films were incorporated with curcumin or quercetin dihydrate. The films were characterized for their mechanical, barrier and smart properties. The incorporation of curcumin or quercetin dihydrate improved the physicochemical properties of the cellulose films, including strength, elongation at break (EAB), water vapor permeability (WVP), biodegradability, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. However, the moisture content and water solubility decreased. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images depicted the rough surface of curcumin incorporated smart films which represents successful application of curcumin, while cracks and pits were observed for the films with the higher concentration of quercetin dihydrate. All the smart films showed effective responses against pH ranging from 2 to 14. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel hydrophobic lignocellulosic bioplastic from corn stover reinforced by oxidized cellulose and in situ regenerated lignin. Cellulose‐lignin mixture as a matrix was obtained by acid‐recyclable deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment of corn stover in mild conditions. Triethoxy(octyl)silane (C14H32O3Si) was employed to improve the water stability of the bioplastic by vapor deposition. The results show that the hydrophobic bioplastic has a high tensile strength, measuring 62.36 MPa. The water contact angle of the bioplastic was increased from 8.50° to 121.9° after hydrophobic modification. We prepared oxidized cellulose‐reinforced cellulose paper by different particle size distributions of oxidized cellulose to investigate the reinforcement of oxidized cellulose. The tensile strength of oxidized cellulose cellulose paper increased from 14.41 to 21.18 MPa with the addition of oxidized cellulose. The zeta potential of oxidized cellulose is −47.99 mV, which shows a more negative charge due to carbonyl groups. The repulsive force of oxidized cellulose contributes to the formation of a brick‐and‐mortar microstructure with cellulose‐lignin mixture. It demonstrates that oxidized cellulose can act as bio‐adhesives and has a good toughening effect on the mechanical properties of bioplastic. Highlights: Lignocellulosic bioplastic was prepared by DES pretreatment of corn stover.Oxidized cellulose was used to reinforce the lignocellulosic bioplastic.The tensile strength of the bioplastic was 62.36 MPa after the reinforcement process.Trieth‐oxy(octyl)silane was employed to improve water stability.The water contact angle of the bioplastic was increased from 8.50° to 121.9°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocomposite represents the backbone of many industrial fabrication applications and exerts a substantial social impact. Among these composites, metal nanostructures are often employed as the active constituents, thanks to their various chemical and physical properties, which offer the ability to tune the application scenarios in thermal management, energy storage, and biostable materials, respectively. Nanocellulose, as an emerging polymer substrate, possesses unique properties of abundance, mechanical flexibility, environmental friendliness, and biocompatibility. Based on the combination of flexible nanocellulose with specific metal fillers, the essential parameters involving mechanical strength, flexibility, anisotropic thermal resistance, and conductivity can be enhanced. Nowadays, the approach has found extensive applications in thermal management, energy storage, biostable electronic materials, and piezoelectric devices. Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly correlate cellulose nanocomposites' properties with different metallic fillers. This review summarizes the extraction of nanocellulose and preparation of metal modified cellulose nanocomposites, including their wide and particular applications in modern advanced devices. Moreover, we also discuss the challenges in the synthesis, the emerging designs, and unique structures, promising directions for future research. We wish this review can give a valuable overview of the unique combination and inspire the research directions of the multifunctional nanocomposites using proper cellulose and metallic fillers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose, being a renewable and abundant biopolymer, has garnered significant attention for its unique properties and potential applications in hybrid materials. Understanding the hierarchical arrangement of cellulose nanofibers is crucial for developing cellulose‐based materials with enhanced mechanical properties. In this study, the use of Scanning Electron Diffraction (SED) is presented to map the nanoscale orientation of cellulose fibers in a bio‐composite material with a preserved wood cell structure. The SED data provides detailed insights into the ordering of cellulose with an extraordinary resolution of ≈15 nm. It enables a quantitative analysis of the fiber orientation over regions as large as entire cells. A highly organized arrangement of cellulose fibers within the secondary cell wall is observed, with a gradient of orientations toward the outer part of the wall. The in‐plane fiber rotation is quantified, revealing a uniform orientation close to the middle lamella. Transversely sectioned material exhibits similar trends, suggesting a layered cell wall structure. Based on the SED data, a 3D model depicting the complex helical alignment of fibers throughout the cell wall is constructed. This study demonstrates the unique opportunities SED provides for characterizing the nanoscale hierarchical arrangement of cellulose nanofibers, empowering further research on a range of hybrid materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, coffee silverskin (CSS) fibers were subjected to alkali pretreatment (ALK‐CSS) and alkali pretreatment, followed by a 4‐bar steam explosion process (SEW4). Both treated fibers presented a higher degree of crystallinity, enhanced thermal resistance and also cleaner, rough, and defibrillated surface due to the removal of noncellulosic components, as was shown in scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier‐transform infrared spectra, and x‐ray diffraction (XRD) results. The SEW4 fibers were incorporated into the poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) matrix in contents up to 5% wt. through melt processing. PBAT/SEW4 composites were evaluated by their microstructure, thermal properties, degree of crystallinity, and hydrophilic behavior. XRD results showed PBAT/SEW4 composites with higher degrees of crystallinity and contact angle tests revealed increased composite hydrophobicity with the increase of SEW4 content in the PBAT matrix. This work describes the importance of recovering coffee lignocellulosic waste and producing value‐added by‐products, especially in packaging manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers news briefs related to advancements in chemistry and materials science. Researchers have developed an effective treatment for chronic wounds using plasma-activated poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel dressings. A compact, wirelessly powered light-source comprising magnetoelectric transducers and custom-designed organic light-emitting diodes has been developed for biomedical applications. Organic chemists exploration of curved structures in nanoscale graphene sheets.

Cleanup of oil spills has become one of the most challenging tasks in recent years, as marine oil spills have had a great negative impact on human health and the ecological environment. This also urgently requires the development of new materials and methods with superhydrophobic properties for oil–water separation. As new porous materials, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much attention due to their unique structures and fascinating properties. However, powdered MOF materials are difficult to recycle, and therefore, suitable substrates need to be selected to construct superhydrophobic composites. The surface hydroxyl groups of cellulose fibers offer great possibilities for their superhydrophobic preparation. In this paper, HDTMS‐UiO‐66@CFs composites with superhydrophobicity were strategically synthesized by in‐situ growth of Zr(IV)‐based MOFs linked to hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) on cellulosic fibers (cotton fabric) by using a hydrothermal synthesis method. The HDTMS‐UiO‐66@CFs composites have a water contact angle of 172° and the absorption capacity of light oil and heavy oil is more than 1100%, and the oil–water separation efficiency is as high as 96%. Due to the in‐situ growth of the HDTMS‐UiO‐66 material on cotton fibers, which makes the material more resistant and stable, the material can still maintain its superhydrophobic properties in various harsh environments and after repeated use. Therefore, the newly developed HDTMS‐UiO‐66@CFs composites have a high potential as novel adsorbent materials for cleaning up offshore oil spills and other applications. Highlights: In‐situ growth of superhydrophobic metal‐organic frameworks (MOF) particles on cellulose fibers.The porous structure of hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS)‐UiO66 plays a key role in hydrophobicity.HDTMS‐UiO66@CFs are chemically stable and have long‐term durability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blue osmotic energy harvesting based on the nanofiber-based layered membranes has received tremendous attention. However, the most nanofiber-based ion-selective membranes are suffering from uneconomical, environmentally unfriendly characteristics and a long growth cycle, as well as insufficient power density. In this work, kelp cellulose nanofibers (KCNFs) from green and inexpensive kelp with short growth cycle are compounded with hydrophilic MXene nanosheets to prepare KCNF/MXene nanofluidic membranes. Notably, the KCNF/MXene-40 (40 is the mass fraction of KCNF) membrane with an aligned nacre-like nanostructure achieves 3.03-fold increase in mechanical strength compared to the pure MXene membrane. The ingenious combination of the surface charge of the MXene nanosheets and the space charge formed by negatively charged KCNFs endows the KCNF/MXene-40 membrane with enhanced cation selectivity (≈0.85), high energy conversion efficiency of 24.04% and high power density of 66.23 W m[sup -2] in a 500-fold concentration gradient, which has exceeded most reported state-of-the-art 2D nanofluidic membranes. More importantly, the membrane exhibits the exceptional long-term stability with relatively unchanged power density within 6000 s. Under the conditions of the natural seawater and simulated river water, the KCNF/MXene-based generator deliveries an output power density of ≈10.56 W m[sup -2]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regenerated cellulose membrane is a biomaterial obtained by activating, dissolving, solidifying, and regenerating cellulose powder using solvents of different polarities. It has the characteristics of high oxygen resistance and high strength. However, its low water vapor barrier and single function limit its application. In order to improve the water resistance of regenerated cellulose membranes and endow them with UV resistance, lignin was extracted from waste wheat straw using formic acid method. The extracted formic acid lignin (FAL) was added to the cellulose solution to prepare a series of regenerated lignocellulosic membranes (RC‐FAL) with different lignin contents. The results indicate that lignin can not only improve the water vapor barrier, tensile strength, and water resistance of the film, but also enhance the oxygen barrier and UV absorption of the film. Compared with pure cellulose film, the contact angle of lignocellulose film can be increased by 66.2%, the UV absorption rate can reach 100%, and the oxygen transmission coefficient has no significant effect. In this paper, a new kind of biological packaging material with high oxygen resistance, strong ultraviolet absorption, and water resistance was prepared by recycling waste wheat straw, it has a broad application prospect in the industrial production of packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an environmentally friendly biomacromolecular material, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) enhances the performance of natural rubber latex (NRL) composites. However, MCC has strong polarity, which weakens the interfacial interaction between MCC and the non‐polar NRL matrix and reduces the reinforcing performance due to the many hydroxyl groups on its surface. In this paper, the ionic liquid (IL) modified MCC/IL material was prepared, and AIR‐FTIR, x‐ray diffraction, and XPS photoelectron spectroscopy were performed to detect it from the perspective of environmental protection. And natural latex/microcrystalline cellulose/ionic liquid (NRL/MCC/IL) composites with excellent properties were prepared by latex blending. The activation energy, vulcanization characteristics, basic mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical properties, and filler‐rubber interfacial interactions of NRL/MCC/IL composites were investigated. The results showed that the vulcanization rate constant of NRL/MCC/IL composites increase, the activation energy decreases and the mechanical properties were significantly improved. At the same time, the matrix interface interaction of composites was quantitatively calculated using Ayala parameters. The results showed that the interfacial interaction force of the composite was stronger after an appropriate amount of IL pretreatment. The whole process is not only conformed to the concept of green development, but also broadens the application of MCC in rubber materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has attracted tremendous attention for replacing petroleum‐based carbon black or mineral fillers with renewable, biology‐based and low‐cost cellulose. However, the reinforcing effect of cellulose, especially at the microscale, is still a great challenge in the polymer industry. In this work, a feasible surface modification method for microcrystalline cellulose powder (MCC) in all solid states is proposed by using rubber accelerators N‐cyclohexyl benzothiazole‐2‐sulphenamidee (CBS) and 2,2′‐dibenzothiazoledisulfide (DM). These accelerators not only accelerate the sulfur crosslink of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), but also graft to rubber molecular chains and form hydrogen bonds with MCC, resulting in good interfacial interaction and good dispersion of MCC in the NBR matrix. As a consequence, the tensile strength and elongation at break of NBR/10MCC reach up to 20.12 MPa and 511%, respectively, which are the highest values of NBR/MCC or cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) composites we can find in the world and are comparable to those of carbon black or mineral fillers. This provides a more effective and environmentally friendly way of using MCC or CNCs in the polymer industry. Highlights: Microcrystalline cellulose powder can reinforce NBR.Hydrogen bonds have been established between accelerators and MCC.The tensile strength of NBR/10MCC composite reaches 20 MPa.The reinforcing mechanism is ascribed to the immobilized rubber layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epoxy polymers are commonly utilized in structural applications due to their high bearing capacity and excellent chemical resistance. However, their inherent brittleness poses a significant challenge for their use in high shock and fracture strength products. To address this shortcoming, fillers can be incorporated into the polymer during preparation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of incorporating cellulose-based fillers, namely cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), on the mechanical properties of epoxy polymer composites. The study evaluated the impact of various factors, including filler concentration, particle size, and moisture content, on the mechanical properties of the composites. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of CNC or MCC powders at concentrations below 5% could enhance the mechanical properties of the resulting epoxy composites without adversely affecting their surface and thermal properties. The maximum tensile strength and fracture toughness of the filler-based epoxy composites were achieved at 2 and 4 wt% for CNCs and MCC, respectively. CNCs with a smaller particle size distribution were found to be much more effective than MCC in improving the mechanical properties of the epoxy composites. Furthermore, utilizing dried fillers resulted in a higher improvement in tensile strength, which was achieved at lower filler concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reinforcing fibers play a key role in improving the tribological properties of friction polymer composites. Cellulose reinforcing fibers were extracted from rapeseed straw waste and prepared as friction composites based on wet granulation, and the effects of heat and rapeseed straw fiber (RSF) additions on the tribological properties were systematically investigated. The addition of RSF induced an important transformation of the major wear mechanism to abrasive wear, especially at 9 wt%, where the abundant tribo-films contributed to the stability of the friction coefficients (fade rate 6.8%, recovery rate 106.6%), resulting in a 37.5% increase in wear resistance compared to no addition. Furthermore, XRD, FTIR and SEM analyses showed that the silane-ethanol solution modification contributed to the good performance of RSF. Highlights • Rapeseed straw fiber (RSF) and granulation technology for polymer composites. • Addition of RSF transforms adhesive and fatigue wear into abrasive wear. • Friction models are developed to clarify the wear mechanism transformation. • A 37.5% increase in wear resistance was achieved when RSF was added at 9 wt%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of natural fibers are being proposed for use in composite materials, especially those extracted from local plants, especially those able to grow spontaneously as they are cost-efficient and have unexplored potential. Sansevieria cylindrica, within the Asparagaceae (previously Agavacae) family, has recently been considered for application in polymer and rubber matrix composites. However, its characterization and even the sorting out of technical fiber from the stem remains scarce, with little available data, as is often the case when the fabrication of textiles is not involved. In this study, Sansevieria cylindrica fibers were separated down to the dimensions of a filament at an 8-15 micron diameter from the stem of the plant, then characterized physically and chemically, using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), morphologically by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as their thermal degradation, by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Their crystallinity surface roughness was measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. The results indicate over 70% cellulose fibers content with a very high crystallinity (92%) and small crystallite size (1.45 nm), which suggests a low water absorption, with thermal degradation peaking at 294°C. Despite this, due to the significant porosity of the cellular structure, the density of 1.06 g cm-3 is quite low for a mainly cellulose fiber. Roughness measurements indicate that the porosities and foamy structure result in a highly negative skewness (-3.953), in the presence of deep valleys, which may contribute to an effective relation with a covering resin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research on a novel preparation method for functional scaffolds from natural cellulose has attracted widespread attention in science and engineering. In order to obtain cellulose board which is similar to wood board in structure and mechanical properties, ice template, phase inversion under low temperature, and hot pressing were employed to fabricate board from natural cellulose. During preparation, ice template was used to control cellulose molecules arrange forming excellent orientation in the scaffold. Then, prepared scaffold was immersed in ethanol under −20 °C to remove salt ions used in cellulose resolve process, and keep the direction arrange of molecules in scaffold. Finally, prepared scaffold was treated by hot pressing for pushing off air in pores to form density board. Scanning electron microscopy image showed that prepared scaffold has directional cellulose arrange structure which was similar to that of wood. After hot pressing, the density of scaffold is increased. The mechanical properties of cellulose boards are enhanced with the increase of cellulose concentration, and the tensile strength can reach about 45 MPa, which has great potential in replacing natural wood boards. Our study provides new tactics for the use of natural cellulose in our life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose modification often employs chemical processes to tailor its properties and functionalities to fit the demands of a wide range of applications, maximizing its potential as a versatile and sustainable material. From both synthetic and environmental standpoints, one of the ultimate goals is to achieve significant modifications to enhance the end properties of the cellulose while minimizing the number of modified building blocks. The current study demonstrates that a synthetic glucose derivative, 6‐deoxy‐6‐fluoro‐glucose (6F‐Glc), fed into the fertilized cotton ovules, resulted in the accumulation of fluorine inside the cotton fibers with no apparent alteration to their morphology or development. These fibers exhibited a degree of substitution of 0.006, which is 170 times lower than that reported for chemical methods for cellulose modification. However, the physical characterization of the modified fibers showed a surprisingly large impact of this low‐level modification on the cellulose structure (e.g., hydrogen bonding network rearrangement) and a modest increase in the mechanical properties of the fibers. The obtained results exemplify the use of biological systems to introduce low quantities of new functionalities while maximizing the impact on fiber properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]