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Paper is a biodegradable material, but in food packaging, its hygroscopicity and porosity can cause food contamination due to the exchange of gasses and liquids with the environment. Therefore, it is important to use biodegradable materials for paper coatings, such as nanocellulose, which is chemically compatible with paper but less hygroscopic. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) as a paper coating. NFC produced from bleached eucalyptus pulp was used as a coating on kraft paper sheets produced from Pinus pulp. To prepare the coating, two thicknesses of wet nanocellulose (1 mm and 2 mm) were tested, and two nanocellulose films made with the same thicknesses were evaluated. The morphological, physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the composites were investigated. The presence of NFC improved the surface of the paper by filling the pores; consequently, the density and barrier properties were also improved. All mechanical properties were improved, with the highest increases observed for bursting and tensile strength; however, the films showed low bursting index values and null values for the tearing index. The thermal stability of the paper with NFC coatings met the minimum requirements for food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial production and domestic discharge produce a large amount of oily wastewater, which seriously affects the stability of the ecological environment. Membrane separation technology provides another path to treating oily wastewater. And appropriate surface modifi- cation of the membrane helps to achieve high efficiency of treating oily wastewater. With green, economy and stability been more concerned. The focal research reports a completely biodegradable all cellulose composite filter paper (ACCFP) composed of I-cellulose macrofibers and IIcellulose matrix. It is a simple one-step impregnation method to adjust the surface microstructure of the pristine filter paper (PFP), and it does not involve with chemical reaction. The pre-wetted ACCFP consist of II-cellulose hydrogel and I-cellulose reinforcement in the process of oilwater separation. This layer of hydrogel is the fundamental to underwater superoleophobicity, which determines their eligibility for applications of efficient oil-water mixture or oil-in-water (oil/water) emulsion separation. The separation efficiency of oil-water mixture and oil/water emulsion exceed 95% and 99.9%, respectively. In addition, excellent mechanical properties of ACCFP in dry and wet conditions ensure its stability in service and prolong service life in applications. The focal study provides a new method for high-performance oil-water separation and it is more in line with sustainable chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors explore the development of paper-based electronics using carbon-based composites with a biodegradable matrix based on ethyl cellulose and dibasic ester solvent. The main focus is on screen-printing techniques for creating flexible, eco-friendly electronic devices. This research evaluates the printability with the rheological measurements, electrical properties, flexibility, and adhesion of these composites, considering various compositions, including graphene, graphite, and carbon black. The study finds that certain compositions offer sheet resistance below 1 kΩ/sq and good adhesion to paper substrates with just one layer of screen printing, demonstrating the potential for commercial applications, such as single-use electronics, flexible heaters, etc. The study also shows the impact of cyclic bending on the electrical parameters of the prepared layers. This research emphasizes the importance of the biodegradability of the matrix, contributing to the field of sustainable electronics. Overall, this study provides insights into developing environmentally friendly, flexible electronic components, highlighting the role of biodegradable materials in this evolving industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycelium-based composites have the potential to replace petrochemical-based materials within architectural systems and can propose biodegradable alternatives to synthetic sound absorbing materials. Sound absorbing materials help improve acoustic comfort, which in turn benefit our health and productivity. Mycelium-based composites are novel materials that result when mycelium, the vegetative root of fungi, is grown on agricultural plant-based residues. This research presents a material study that explores how substrate variants and fabrication methods affect the sound absorption properties of mycelium-based composites grown on paper-based waste substrate materials. Samples were grown using Pleurotus ostreatus fungi species on waste cardboard, paper, and newsprint substrates of varying processing techniques. Measurements of the normal-incidence sound absorption coefficient were presented and analyzed. This paper outlines two consecutive acoustic tests: the first round of experimentation gathered broad comparative data, useful for selecting materials for sound absorption purposes. The second acoustic test built on the results of the first, collecting more specific performance data and assessing material variability. The results of this study display that cardboard-based mycelium materials perform well acoustically and structurally and could successfully be used in acoustic panels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molded pulp is considered an alternative to plastic packaging for its low cost, recyclability and non-pollution characteristics. However, the range of its applications has been limited by hydrophilicity and lipophilicity. Presented herein is a facile and straightforward method for the preparation biodegradable water- and oil-repellant for molded pulp. Sodium alginate-based oil repellent and PDMS-based water repellent were prepared by cross-linking and modification. The two were then mixed in various ratios to obtain compound water- and oil-repellent, which was applied to the molded pulp by dip-coating. The coated paper demonstrated excellent oil resistance (with a kit rating of 11/12) and outstanding water resistance (with a water contact angle of 121.9° and water absorption of 25.8%). This novel, eco-friendly, water- and oil-resistant molded pulp coating prepared from biodegradable and food-contactable materials is a potential candidate to replace petroleum-based coatings and has excellent possibilities to be manufactured on a large-scale intended for food and non-food contact applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, there is a strong initiative to use recycled or biodegradable materials in all aspects of production including the graphic industry. In this study, paper was used as a material fulfilling the two of mentioned properties. Under laboratory conditions, papers were made of 70% pulp from recycled wood fibres with an addition of 30% straw pulp (wheat, barley or triticale). Considering the importance of the possibility of printing such media based on their end use, the influence of fibre type on vapour barrier properties was studied and overall migration to hydrophilic and fatty food simulants was measured. Analyses were performed on digital, flexographic, and offset prints obtained by printing laboratory papers with UV-curable black ink. It was found that prints produced using the offset technique, in which the ink remains on the surface of the paper, had lower overall levels of migration compared to other printing techniques. The paper produced appears to have the potential to be used as a secondary food packaging material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A great paradigm for foremost food packaging is to use renewable and biodegradable lignocellulose−based materials instead of plastic. Novel packages were successfully prepared from the cellulose paper by coating a mixture of polylactic acid (PLA) with cinnamaldehyde (CIN) as a barrier screen and nano silica−modified stearic acid (SA/SiO2) as a superhydrophobic layer. As comprehensively investigated by various tests, results showed that the as−prepared packages possessed excellent thermal stability attributed to inorganic SiO2 incorporation. The excellent film−forming characteristics of PLA improved the tensile strength of the manufactured papers (104.3 MPa) as compared to the original cellulose papers (70.50 MPa), enhanced by 47.94%. Benefiting from the rough nanostructure which was surface−modified by low surface energy SA, the contact angle of the composite papers attained 156.3°, owning superhydrophobic performance for various liquids. Moreover, the composite papers showed excellent gas, moisture, and oil bacteria barrier property as a result of the reinforcement by the functional coatings. The Cobb300s and WVP of the composite papers were reduced by 100% and 88.56%, respectively, and their antibacterial efficiency was about 100%. As the novel composite papers have remarkable thermal stability, tensile strength, and barrier property, they can be exploited as a potential candidate for eco−friendly, renewable, and biodegradable cellulose paper−based composites for the substitute of petroleum−derived packages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable chitosan can be applied as a coating on the surface of kraft paper in order to improve its barrier properties against water vapor and air. The food packaging industry can benefit from the addition of chitosan to its current packaging, and in turn reduce pollution from plastic packaging plants. This paper discusses the film formation of chitosan, the permeability of paper coated with a chitosan layer, and the influence on the paper's surface and barrier properties under different process conditions. SEM (scanning electron microscope), AFM (atomic force microscope), ATR-FTIR (Fourier transmission infrared spectroscope with attenuated total reflection), and PDA (penetration dynamics analysis) were used to analyze the properties of chitosan's film formation and permeability. A controlled experiment showed that the chitosan layer was smoother than the surface of the uncoated kraft paper, had better film formation, and that there was no chitosan penetration through the kraft paper. The barrier properties against water vapor were strongest when there was a higher concentration of chitosan solution at the optimum pH, stirring speed, and those with a thicker coating on the kraft paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantity of biodegradable plastics is increasing steadily and taking a larger share in the residual waste stream. As the calorific value of biodegradable plastic is almost two-fold lower than that of conventional ones, its increasing quantity decreases the overall calorific value of municipal solid waste and refuse-derived fuel which is used as feedstock for cement and incineration plants. For that reason, in this work, the torrefaction of biodegradable waste, polylactic acid (PLA), and paper was performed for carbonized solid fuel (CSF) production. In this work, we determined the process yields, fuel properties, process kinetics, theoretical energy, and mass balance. We show that the calorific value of PLA cannot be improved by torrefaction, and that the process cannot be self-sufficient, while the calorific value of paper can be improved up to 10% by the same process. Moreover, the thermogravimetric analysis revealed that PLA decomposes in one stage at ~290–400 °C with a maximum peak at 367 °C, following a 0.42 reaction order with the activation energy of 160.05 kJ·(mol·K)−1.

Food packaging manufacturers often resort to lamination, typically with materials which are neither non-biodegradable nor biobased polymers, to confer barrier properties to paper and cardboard. The present work considers a greener solution: enhancing paper's resistance to moisture, grease, and air by aqueous coating suspensions. For hydrophobization, a combined approach between nanocellulose and common esterifying agents was considered, but the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) remained excessively high for the goal of wrapping moisture-sensitive products (>600 g m−2 d−1). Nonetheless, oil-repellant surfaces were effectively obtained with nanocellulose, illite, sodium alginate, and/or poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), reaching Kit ratings up to 11. Regarding air resistance, mineral-rich coatings attained values above 1000 Gurley s. In light of these results, nanocellulose, minerals, PVA, pullulan, alginate, and a non-ionic surfactant were combined for multi-purpose coating formulations. It is hypothesized that these materials decrease porosity while complementing each other's flaws, e.g., PVA succeeds at decreasing porosity but has low dimensional stability. As an example, a suspension mostly constituted by nanocellulose, sizing agents, minerals and PVA yielded a WVTR of roughly 100 g m−2 d−1, a Kit rating of 12, and an air resistance above 300 s/100 mL. This indicates that multi-purpose coatings can be satisfactorily incorporated into paper structures for food packaging applications, although not as the food contact layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the production and characterization of biodegradable handmade paper from the Sida rhombifolia plant (SRP) cellulose. Sida rhombifolia plant is a seasonal plant that grows in the equatorial and tropical climates. The studies carried out on this SRP were aimed at investigating the methods required for the production of handmade paper from SRP plant and also at determining the tensile strength. Four specimens of SRP paper of different additive labels S0 (no additive), S1 (starch and KOH), S2 (starch), and S3 (Foska liquid glue) were produced using the Kraft method. Tensile properties (stress at break, elongation at break, and Young's modulus), the rate of water absorption, and the rate of moisture absorption were carried out. Results showed that the addition of potassium hydroxide considerably reduces Young's modulus of SRP handmade paper (S1) while the Foska liquid glue (S3) significantly improves it. In addition, the addition of potassium hydroxide and Foska liquid substantially improves the water absorption properties of the paper S2 and S3, respectively. The adhesive liquid creates more porosity and consequently increases the absorption of water. The addition of potassium hydroxide and Foska liquid significantly embedded the rate of moisture absorption. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the paper S3 can be used as packaging paper since it has better mechanical properties and moisture absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a disposable paper battery aiming to reduce the environmental impact of single-use electronics for applications such as point of care diagnosis, smart packaging and environmental sensing. The battery uses Zinc as a biodegradable metal anode, graphite as a nontoxic cathode material and paper as a biodegradable substrate. To facilitate additive manufacturing, we developed electrodes and current collector inks that can be stencil printed on paper to create water-activated batteries of arbitrary shape and size. The battery remains inactive until water is provided and absorbed by the paper substrate, taking advantage of its natural wicking behavior. Once activated, a single cell provides an open circuit potential of 1.2 V and a peak power density of 150 µW/cm2 at 0.5 mA. As a proof of concept, we fabricated a two cell battery and used it to power an alarm clock and its liquid crystal display. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Article is focusing on recycling waste paper, which became one of the main collecting commodities for its widespread use in many economic regions. The introduction provides an overview of the development of a segment of waste paper in the EU. The article presents information about product options, new materials from processed waste and waste paper. The first part of the article describesthe situation in the Central Bohemia region both in terms of production and in terms of processing capacities. The next part of the article contains the practical information and value gained from the process of production of briquettes from waste paper and the description and analysis of technologies as well as description and analysis of achieved physical characteristics of manufactured briquettes. Another mentioned option for using waste paper is the application in substrate production technology as an input material with excellent physical properties, which could become an indispensable component in the production of highquality substrates. The resulting values indicate a higher absorption capacity of fluids that are substrates of biodegradable materials. In both technologies there are present variations of the different samples and their ratios used to manufacture the final products and are shown in the resulting comparison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the manufacturing process for biodegradable paper sheeting with incorporation of bamboo paper sludge, fibers of poplar woods, and viscose fibers by wet-laid nonwoven technology. The best process conditions included a basis weight of 30 g/m², a bamboo paper sludge content of 10 wt%, and a polyvinyl alcohol concentration of 4 wt%. The burst strength, tearing resistance, tensile properties, resistance to water, and degradation rate were 220.65 kPa, 60.00 N, 46.10 N, 153 Pa, and 56.18%, respectively, under the best process conditions. The biodegradable paper sheeting can satisfy the demand for replacement of agricultural plastic sheeting used for such purposes as moisture retention of soil and promotion of plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double emulsions are complex emulsion systems with a wide range of applications across different fields, such as pharmaceutics, food and beverage, materials sciences, personal care, and dietary supplements. Conventionally, surfactants are required for the stabilization of double emulsions. However, due to the emerging need for more robust emulsion systems and the growing trends for biocompatible and biodegradable materials, Pickering double emulsions have attracted increasing interest. In comparison to double emulsions stabilized solely by surfactants, Pickering double emulsions possess enhanced stability due to the irreversible adsorption of colloidal particles at the oil/water interface, while adopting desired environmental-friendly properties. Such advantages have made Pickering double emulsions rigid templates for the preparation of various hierarchical structures and as potential encapsulation systems for the delivery of bioactive compounds. This article aims to provide an evaluation of the recent advances in Pickering double emulsions, with a special focus on the colloidal particles employed and the corresponding stabilization strategies. Emphasis is then devoted to the applications of Pickering double emulsions, from encapsulation and co-encapsulation of a wide range of active compounds to templates for the fabrication of hierarchical structures. The tailorable properties and the proposed applications of such hierarchical structures are also discussed. It is hoped that this perspective paper will serve as a useful reference on Pickering double emulsions and will provide insights toward future studies in the fabrication and applications of Pickering double emulsions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible and thin-film humidity sensors are currently attracting the attention of the scientific community due to their portability and reduced size, which are highly useful traits for use in the Internet o Things (IoT) industry. Furthermore, in order to perform efficient and profitable mass production, it is necessary to develop a cost-effective and reproducible fabrication process and materials. Green fabrication methods and biodegradable materials would also minimize the environmental impact and create a sustainable IoT development. In this paper, flexible humidity sensors based on a common salt (NaCl) sensing layer are reported. Our sensors and the fabrication techniques employed, such as dip and spray coating, provide a biodegradable, low cost, and highly reproducible device. One of the sensors reported presents a typical resistive behaviour from 40% RH up to 85% RH with a sensitivity of 0.21 (Z/%RH). The performance of the sensors obtained with several fabrication techniques is studied and reported at multiple frequencies from 100 Hz to 10 MHz, showcasing its versatility and robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PLA-lined cup released 3.6 times higher microplastics (MPs) than PE-lined cup. • Ethanol separated MPs, additive and cellulose microparticles release from PLA cup. • No cellulose fibres were found on PE cup's lining or hot water contained in the cup. • Lots of cellulose fibres on PLA cup's lining were removed during hot water exposure. • Real MPs level could be higher due to test limits and particles attachments. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a popular replacement for conventional fossil-fuel based plastics products such as polyethylene (PE) due to its high biodegradability and recyclability. Previous studies confirmed that PLA microplastics (MPs) and PE MPs pose similar toxicity risks due to that MPs' risk is primarily attributed to physical and indirect nutritional effects. Surprisingly, despite the widespread use, there have been very few studies of microparticles released from daily products made of biodegradable materials. We investigated release levels from eight single-use paper cups (SUPCs) lined with PLA and PE film. Under typical hot-beverage preparation conditions, the total number of particles released from PLA SUPCs was 4.2 times higher than that from PE SUPCs, with total numbers of 180,000 ± 31,000 and 43,000 ± 10,000 particles per litre, respectively. 22,000 ± 6,000 MPs were released per litre from PLA, which was 3.6 times the level of MPs released from PE SUPCs. In addition, significant levels of cellulose microfibres were released from PLA SUPCs, with quantities of 38,000 ± 31,000 microfibres per litre, while no such fibres were released from PE SUPCs. It should be noted that the levels of these particles may be underestimated due to the exclusion of nanoparticles (less than 0.8 μm, filter's pore size), unidentified microparticles with high fluorescence backgrounds and attachments between different types of particles. In summary, a proportionately higher level of release of additive microparticles together with the release of cellulose microparticles are the key difference between biodegradable plastics like PLA and conventional plastic such as PE. Cellulose blending in manufacturing is likely related to higher MPs release from PLA cups than PE cups. Therefore, it is highly recommended to re-assess the manufacturing process, potential health and environmental risks of biodegradable plastic products as well as the formulation of related policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new biodegradable dielectric fluid for transformers, palm fatty acid ester (PFAE), with better cooling performance and oxidation stability than conventional mineral oil (MO) was developed in 2008. The aging of thermally upgraded paper (TUP) in PFAE was evaluated, comparing to MO and natural ester (FR3). The electrical properties of aged dielectric fluids were compared. Sealed aging SUS tanks containing copper, silicon steel, TUP, and PFAE, MO and FR3 (partly) in a nitrogen environment were aged at 130 °C-170°C for 20-120 days, with low concentrations of oxygen and moisture strictly controlled. Paper degradation after aging was determined using the degree of polymerization measurements. The gas production characteristics during the aging process were also compared. The results show that the TUPs in PFAE age at slower rates than those in MO, while at faster rates than those in FR3. Under the possibly low initial concentration of oxygen and water in the fluids in the absence of other material which may produce water during aging process, the limit service temperature for TUP in MO and PFAE with expected 30-year lifetime (DP450) would possibly reach 109°C and 113°C, respectively. Life estimation results show that the lifetime of the TUP in PFAE aging at 110°C would be at least 1.6 times the lifetime of the TUP in MO, if DP450 was set as the end-of-life point of the TUP. Aged PFAE exhibits highest breakdown voltage among the three types of dielectric fluid. Much lower acid value of aged PFAE than FR3 reveals that PFAE has better hydrolytic stability, which could ensure the safe operation of transformers. The aging mechanism is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a hydrophobic, biodegradable biopolymer, which can be a potential substitute for currently used synthesized polymers in the packaging industry. However, its utility is often limited by its brittleness and poor mechanical properties, mainly because of its through-thickness fractures. In this study, we laminate and crystallize PHB on glassine paper by hot-pressing and tune the crystallization conditions to minimize cracking. Glassine paper is impermeable to PHB granules and allows the formation of a distinguishable bilayer of PHB. It was found that glassine paper serves as a soft substrate, which increases the number of nucleation sites of the spherulites and prevents growth of the cracks in the neighboring PHB layer. Quenching the films to the crystallization temperature was found to minimize cracking enough to reduce the water vapor transmission rate to $$15$$ - $$25\,{\mathrm{g}}\,{\mathrm{m}}^{-2}\,{\mathrm{day}}^{-1}$$ , irrespective of the crystallization temperature; however, the mechanical properties improved only at the crystallization temperatures below 77 °C, perhaps due to the local stress in the existing cracks at higher crystallization temperatures. The optimum crystallization conditions were found to be quenching the film in an ice bath and crystallization at room temperature, by which we obtained mechanical strength and Young's modulus of $$80\,\text {MPa}$$ and $$2.5\,\text {GPa}$$ , respectively, and a water vapor transmission rate of $$20\,\text {g}\,\text {m}^{-2}\,\text {day}^{-1}$$ . Our results suggest a simple and cost-effective method to produce PHB films with enhanced mechanical and barrier properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper, a cheap and ubiquitous material, has great potential to be used as low-cost, portable and biodegradable platform for chemical and biological sensing application. In this paper, we are exploring a low-cost, flexible and reliable method to effectively pattern paper for capturing optical dyes and for flow-based delivery of target samples for colorimetric chemical sensing. In this paper, we target the detection of ammonia (NH 3 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), two of the important environmental and health biomarkers. By functionalizing the paper platform with diverse cross-reactive dyes sensitive to NH 3 and CO 2 , their selective sensing within a certain pH range, as well as their detection at different concentrations can be achieved. The images of paper based device were captured by a flatbed scanner and processed in MATLAB ® using a RGB model and PCA for quantitative analysis. Paper based devices with readout using ubiquitous consumer electronic devices (e.g. smartphones, flatbed scanner) are considered promising approaches for disease screening in developing countries with limited resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, concerns about environmental waste caused by petroleum-derived chemicals as well as the consumer's demand for high quality food products, have prompted people to pay more attention to developing biodegradable food packaging materials using natural resources such as cellulose fibers and chitin derivatives. In this study, chitin whiskers have been successfully generated by hydrolyzing the α- chitin sample. Then the synthesized nano-sized chitin whiskers were used at ratios from 0.1% to 2% (wt%) for improving strength properties of paper sheets by the dip-coating method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were used to investigate the morphology of chitin whiskers and cellulose fiber compounds. The results showed that coating with chitin whiskers brought about an increase in tear strength, burst strength, and wet and dry tensile strength, with a decrease in Zeta-potential value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent need for a biodegradable, hydrophobic material that can be used in developing packaging materials. In this preliminary study, epicuticular wax has been extracted from the leaves of Calotropis procera and Alstonia scholaris using various solvents (i.e., ethanol, methanol, benzene, and acetone). The highest wax amounts were found to be 0.54 μg/cm² and 0.13 μg/cm² from Alstonia scholaris and Calotropis procera, respectively. The highest hydrophobicity (29.57%) was found to be in paper discs coated with epicuticular wax extracted with benzene from the adaxial surface of Calotropis procera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-treated pulping wastewater (BTPW) was further treated using a combination of ozonation and biotreatment processes. The effect of ozonation on chemical oxygen demand (CODCr) removal and biodegradability enhancement of the BTPW was investigated. The results showed that the ozonation was effective for degrading the pollutants in the BTPW and improving its biodegradability. The CODCr removal reached approximately 34.8%, and the BOD/COD ratio increased from less than 0.15 to 0.36, after ozonation for 30 min. The raw BTPW biodegrades poorly, and treatment using a combination of ozonation with biotreatment could eliminate most of the refractory substances from the BTPW. The CODCr removal rates of the BTPW were 55.4% and 64.3% for the treatments using ozonation for 30 or 60 min, respectively, before subsequent biotreatment for 14 days. The CODCr removal rates were higher than that of the biological treatment alone by 44.7% and 53.6%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for increasing the shelf life of fresh food as well as the need for protecting the food against foodborne infections warrant the demand for increasing the shelf life of fresh food. The incorporation of nanoparticles into the packaging material can enhance the preservation of perishable foods. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), in particular, have antibacterial, anti-mold, anti-yeast, and anti-viral activities can be embedded into the biodegradable packaging materials for this purpose. This study focuses on antimicrobial packaging materials for food by mixing the extracts of different plants with silver nitrate and depositing this mixture as a layer on the blotting papers, which are thick sheets of paper made of cellulose. Because the blotting papers are highly absorbent and porous, silver nitrate solution along with the plant extracts can be easily applied and allowed for in situ synthesis of AgNPs. Subsequently, these papers were analyzed and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The coated paper exhibited good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the coated paper when used as a packaging material for tomatoes and coriander leaf, the shelf life was extended to about 30 days and 15 days respectively. The prepared cost-effective silver packing material can be used in food packaging for various perishable foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Spiders are distributed worldwide except in Arctic and Antarctica. More than 45,700 species of spiders and 114 families have been identified. Spiders produce silk in order to capture their prey. reported that people of the Carpathian Mountains used spider webs from Atypus spiders as bandages. Experiments showed that silk from spider house is bio-degradable, non-antigenic and non-inflammatory. These are ideal properties for healing wounds. We aimed to identify the effect of spider threads on healing wounds and injuries compared to healing of wounds by application of tetracycline ointment. Methods: This is an experimental analytical study in which we investigated ten participants tested in three groups. Group A participants were treated with tetracycline and group B were treated with spider threads. wooden rulers used to collect spider silk threads along with sterilizer, tissue, paper, bandages, and Tetracycline ointment. Silk was collected from four types of spiders: Cellar Spider, Salticidae Spider, Venatoria Hetropoda, and Galeodes Arabs. These spiders are the mostly distributed in Sudan. Silk was collected by using wooden rulers from cracks and corners of walls at Alzaiem Alazhari University and then placed on clean, soft tissue paper. Results: revealed that spider threads heal surface injuries without leaving scars in 90% of participants. The healing process with spider threads lasts between 8 -24 hours. The comparison between three tests showed that the percentage of wound healing was highest by 70% by using spider threads in comparison with tetracycline and self-healing. Conclusion: It was observed that healing of injuries by using spider threads was 70% faster than healing by using tetracycline ointment. Self-healing was observed to be faster than healing by use of tetracycline ointment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The conductive TOCFs network is achieved by an electrostatic self-assembly process. • The paper sensor shows high sensitivity, excellent linearity, and long-time stability. • The paper sensor exhibits superior bending and folding durability. • The sensor shows good responses to human breath, fingertip humidity, and air humidity. Humidity sensors have been widely used for humidity monitoring in industrial fields. However, the application of conventional sensors is limited due to the structural rigidity, high cost, and time-consuming integration process. Owing to the good hydrophilicity, biodegradability, and low cost of cellulose, the sensors built on cellulose bulk materials are considered a feasible method to overcome these drawbacks while providing reasonable performance. Herein, we design a flexible paper-based humidity sensor based on conductive 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose fibers/carbon nanotubes (TOCFs/CNTs) conformal fibers network. The CNTs are dispersed by cationic cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), which introduces positive charges on the CNTs surface. The conductive fibers are achieved by an electrostatic self-assembly process that positively charged CNTs are adsorbed to the surface of negatively charged TOCFs. The vast number of hydrophilic hydroxyl groups on the surface of TOCFs provide more water molecules adsorption sites and facilitate the electron transfer from water molecules to CNTs, endowing the sensor with an excellent humidity responsive property. Besides, the swelling of the TOCFs greatly damages the conductive CNTs network and further promotes the humidity sensitive performance of the sensor. Benefiting from the unique structure, the obtained sensor exhibits a maximum response value of 87.0% (ΔI/I 0 , and the response limit is 100%), outstanding linearity (R2 = 0.995) between 11 and 95% relative humidity (RH), superior bending (with a curvature of 2.1 cm−1) and folding (up to 50 times) durability, and good long-time stability (more than 3 months). Finally, as a proof of concept, the sensor demonstrates an excellent responsive property to human breath, fingertip humidity, and the change of air humidity, indicating a great potential towards practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic haemorrhage is a prevalent clinical condition, and effective and timely haemostasis is crucial for the preservation of patients' lives. In recent years, injectable hemostatic materials have gained significant attention due to their excellent hemostatic efficacy, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, making them widely applied in the treatment of incompressible traumatic haemorrhage. Systematic analysis of injectable hemostatic materials is crucial for research in this area. This article provides a comprehensive review of the development and research trends of injectable hemostatic materials over the past 20 years using visualization techniques. Analysis of collaboration and co‐citation networks revealed localized research collaboration networks, highlighting the need for enhanced international collaboration in the field of injectable hemostatic materials. Current research focuses primarily on hemostatic materials, hemostatic processes, and hemostatic mechanisms. Injectable hemostatic materials with excellent performance offer promising strategies for wound healing. This review provides a comprehensive and systematic summary of injectable hemostatic materials, offering valuable guidance for the development and clinical application of novel injectable hemostatic materials. Additionally, visualized methodology and mapping analysis are effective data mining methods that provide approaches and strategies for clear knowledge network analysis. These methods facilitate better understanding and interpretation of research dynamics in the field of injectable hemostatic materials, thereby guiding and inspiring future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quim Tarrés et al. studied the interface strength and fiber content influence on corn-stover-fiber-reinforced bio-polyethylene composites' stiffness [[9]]. This Special Issue aimed to provide a forum for the discussion of recent advances in the analysis and characterization of polymer-based composites. Angxuan Wu et al. used this same material (fly ash) in the paper "Preparation and Finite Element Analysis of Fly Ash/HDPE Composites for Large Diameter Bellows" [[6]] to produce high-density polyethylene composites. 33805018 9 Tarrés Q., Hernández-Díaz D., Ardanuy M. Interface Strength and Fiber Content Influence on Corn Stover Fibers Reinforced Bio-Polyethylene Composites Stiffness. [Extracted from the article]

In the last decade, iron and magnesium, both pure and alloyed, have been extensively studied as potential biodegradable metals for medical applications. However, broad experience with these material systems has uncovered critical limitations in terms of their suitability for clinical applications. Recently, zinc and zinc-based alloys have been proposed as new additions to the list of degradable metals and as promising alternatives to magnesium and iron. The main byproduct of zinc metal corrosion, Zn2+, is highly regulated within physiological systems and plays a critical role in numerous fundamental cellular processes. Zn2+ released from an implant may suppress harmful smooth muscle cells and restenosis in arteries, while stimulating beneficial osteogenesis in bone. An important limitation of pure zinc as a potential biodegradable structural support, however, lies in its low strength (σUTS ~30MPa) and plasticity (ε < 0.25%) that are insufficient for most medical device applications. Developing high strength and ductility zinc with sufficient hardness, while retaining its biocompatibility, is one of the main goals of metallurgical engineering. This paper will review and compare the biocompatibility, corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of pure zinc, as well as currently researched zinc alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report reviews the effects of chemical, physical, and mechanical surface treatments on the degradation behavior of Mg alloys via their influence on the roughness and surface morphology. Many studies have been focused on technically-used AZ alloys and a few investigations regarding the surface treatment of biodegradable and Al-free Mg alloys, especially under physiological conditions. These treatments tailor the surface roughness, homogenize the morphology, and decrease the degradation rate of the alloys. Conversely, there have also been reports which showed that rough surfaces lead to less pitting and good cell adherence. Besides roughness, there are many other parameters which are much more important than roughness when regarding the degradation behavior of an alloy. These studies, which indicate the relationship between surface treatments, roughness and degradation, require further elaboration, particularly for biomedical Mg alloy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing fluorine-free superhydrophobic and biodegradable materials for oil/water separation has already become an irresistible trend. In this paper, we designed two biopolymer oil/water separation routes based on cellulose stearoyl ester (CSE), which was obtained via the acylation reaction between dissolving pulp and stearoyl chloride homogeneously. The CSE showed a superhydrophobic property, which could selectively adsorb oil from the oil/water mixture. Additionally, the CSE was emulsified with an oxidized starch (OS) solution, and the resulting latex was used to impregnate commercial, filter base paper, finally obtaining a hydrophobic and oleophilic membrane. The SEM revealed the membrane had hierarchical micro/nanostructures, while the water contact angle indicated the low surface energy of the membrane, all of which were attributed to the CSE. The membrane had high strength and long durability due to the addition of OS/CSE, and the separation efficiency was more than 99% even after ten repeated uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Screw extruders as continuous flow reactors allow the synthesis of new polymers, preparation of polymer blends and composites, and modification or functionalization of commercially available polymers. Literature data shows that the twin screw extrusion is the most popular solution used for this purpose. In contrast, the number of scientific papers on alternative methods, such as multi-screw extruders, is somewhat limited. This paper is the first review of the application of planetary roller extruders in the compounding and reactive processing of polymer blends and composites. To fill current knowledge gaps, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of planetary roller extruders compared to other screw extruders. Moreover, we summarize recent advances in planetary roller extrusion in producing thermal sensitive and biodegradable polymeric materials, rubber compounds, materials for 3D printing, or plastics and rubber recycling. This work also proposes the possible scenarios for further sustainable development of polymer blends and composites using planetary roller extruders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At a time when food safety awareness is increasing, attention is paid not only to food and additives but also to packaging materials. Most current food packaging is usually made of traditional petroleum-based polymeric materials, which are not biodegradable and have adverse effects on the environment and health. In this context, the development of new non-toxic and biodegradable materials for extending the best-before date of food is receiving increasing attention. In addition, additives in packaging materials may migrate outward, resulting in contact with food. For this reason, additives are also seen as a transition from synthetic additives to natural extracts. Active extracts from animals and plants having good antioxidant and antibacterial properties are also beneficial for human health. It is indisputable that active extracts are ideal substitutes for synthetic additives. Polymer packaging materials combined with active extracts not only maintain their original mechanical and optical properties and thermal stability but also endow polymers with new functions to extend the shelf life of food. This review paper provides an overview of this promising natural extract-containing polymer-based active packaging, with a focus on plant essential oils (containing phenolics, monoterpenes, terpene alcohols, terpene ketones, and aldehydes), pigments (procyanidins), vitamins (vitamin B), and peptides (nisin). In particular, this paper covers the research progress of such active extracts, in single or compound forms, combined with diverse polymers (mostly biopolymers) for food packaging applications with particular focus on the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As Arctic regions warm, the large organic carbon pool stored in permafrost becomes increasingly vulnerable to thaw and decomposition. The transfer of newly mobilized carbon to the atmosphere and its potential influence upon climate change will largely depend on the reactivity and subsequent fate of carbon delivered to aquatic ecosystems. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a key regulator of aquatic metabolism and its biodegradability will determine the extent and rate of carbon release from aquatic ecosystems to the atmosphere. Knowledge of the mechanistic controls on DOC biodegradability is however currently poor due to a scarcity of long-term data sets, limited spatial coverage of available data, and methodological diversity. Here, we performed parallel biodegradable DOC (BDOC) experiments at six Arctic sites (16 experiments) using a standardized incubation protocol to examine the effect of methodological differences used as common practice in the literature. We further synthesized results from 14 aquatic and soil leachate BDOC studies from across the circum-arctic permafrost region to examine pan-Arctic trends in BDOC. An increasing extent of permafrost across the landscape resulted in higher BDOC losses in both soil and aquatic systems. We hypothesize that the unique composition of permafrost-derived DOC combined with limited prior microbial processing due to low soil temperature and relatively shorter flow path lengths and transport times, resulted in higher overall terrestrial and freshwater BDOC loss. Additionally, we found that the fraction of BDOC decreased moving down the fluvial network in continuous permafrost regions, i.e. from streams to large rivers, suggesting that highly biodegradable DOC is lost in headwater streams. We also observed a seasonal (January-December) decrease in BDOC losses in large streams and rivers, but no apparent change in smaller streams and soil leachates. We attribute this seasonal change to a combination of factors including shifts in carbon source, changing DOC residence time related to increasing thaw-depth, increasing water temperatures later in the summer, as well as decreasing hydrologic connectivity between soils and surface water as the seasons progress. Our results suggest that future, climate warming-induced shifts of continuous permafrost into discontinuous permafrost regions could affect the degradation potential of thaw-released DOC as well as its variability throughout the Arctic summer. We lastly present a recommended standardized BDOC protocol to facilitate the comparison of future work and improve our knowledge of processing and transport of DOC in a changing Arctic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing worldwide market for natural‐ingredient‐based cosmetic toiletries is fuelled by the awareness of the dangers of synthetic cosmetics and benefits of natural‐based cosmetics on the skincare and management of skin disorders. Besides naturally formulated cosmetics being biodegradable, they also contain ingredients which are chemically beneficial to human skin. Milk‐based cosmetics are very promising since milk is rich in essential components such as lactoferrins, vitamins, and lactic acids, which have shown therapeutic properties against disorders such as skin cancer, acne scars, and dandruff. One of the milk that is very promising in the cosmetics industry is the camel milk. Currently, there is limited information in literature regarding the use of camel milk in cosmetics and their benefits. Camel milk stands out from bovine milk following its unique therapeutic properties and chemical composition, making it a potential ingredient for skincare and haircare products such as bath soaps and shampoos. The aim of this paper is to review the available literature on camel milk composition and evaluate the contribution of camel milk constituents to cosmetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To optimize and characterize xanthan gum multi-particulate formulation for colon targeting, which increases the residence time at the absorbing surface of the colon. Xanthan gum was dispersed in cold water containing drug and was permitted to expand for 2 h. Sodium alginate was blended well in 10 ml of water. Xanthan gum solution containing the drug was added to sodium alginate solution and 0.3 ml of glutaraldehyde was added to the dispersion, with constant stirring. Then, polymer-drug solution was added dropwise into 5% w/v calcium chloride solution with continuous stirring, producing microspheres filtered by Whatman filter paper and dried at 30 °C-40 ℃. Microspheres were performed by chemical cross-linking with glutaraldehyde, which increased the maximum drug entrapment efficiency up to 73.63 ± 0.65% with an increasing concentration of xanthan gum polymer 0.7% w/v for the optimized F6 batch. Better results were found by increasing the polymer concentration along with the glutaraldehyde concentration. The kinetics of drug release for the F6 batch was considered as an optimized batch because the regression value was found to be 0.997 in the peppas model. The accelerated stability study on the optimized F6 batch performed to learn whether the drug has any change during its period of usability. The polysaccharide remains intact in the stomach and intestine and the drug was released in the colon with low toxicity and biodegradability. The present studies showed that optimizing and characterizing xanthan gum multiparticulate formulation for colon targeting gives metronidazole the most effective and controlled delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The improper disposal of plastics is a growing concern due to increasing global environmental problems such as the rise of CO2 emissions, diminishing petroleum sources, and pollution, which necessitates the research and development of biodegradable materials as an alternative to conventional packaging materials. The purpose of this research was to analyse the properties of biodegradable polymer blends of thermoplastic potato starch (TPS) and polylactide, (PLA) without and with the addition of citric acid (CA) as a potential compatibilizer and plasticizer. The prepared blends were subjected to a comprehensive physicochemical characterization, which included: FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), determination of thermal and mechanical properties by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), water vapour permeability (WVP), as well as biodegradation testing in soil. The obtained results indicate an improvement in adhesion between the TPS and PLA phases due to the addition of citric acid, better homogeneity of the structure, and greater compatibility of the polymer blends, leading to better thermal, mechanical and barrier properties of the studied biodegradable TPS/PLA polymer blends. After conducting the comprehensive research outlined in this paper, it has been determined that the addition of 5 wt.% of citric acid serves as an effective compatibilizer and plasticizer. This supplementation achieves an optimal equilibrium across thermal, mechanical, morphological, and barrier properties, while also promoting material sustainability through biodegradation. In conclusion, it can be stated that the use of thermoplastic starch in TPS/PLA blends accelerates the biodegradation of PLA as a slowly biodegradable polymer. While the addition of citric acid offers significant advantages for TPS/PLA blends, further research is needed to optimize the formulation and processing parameters to achieve the desired balance between mechanical strength, thermal and barrier properties and biodegradability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digestate is the material remaining after the anaerobic digestion of a biodegradable feedstock. The use of digestate as a bedding material is analyzed marginally. The aim of the paper is to monitor the change of the solid phase of digestate due to the action of radiant heat and, based on the results, determine the options of using the solid phase of the digestate for bedding material. Experimental determination of the digestate ignition temperature was carried out according to EN 50281-2-1 (1998) by a hotplate device. Different amounts of samples (3, 5, and 10 g) on the course of thermal degradation were monitored. The results showed higher temperatures of thermal degradation in samples of additionally dried digestate, where these processes were observed earlier in terms of time. Samples of 3 and 10 g of digestate are not suitable as bedding material due to the fire safety of the material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]