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Designing materials capable of disinfecting water without releasing harmful by-products is an ongoing challenge. Here, we report a novel polycationic sponge material synthesized from chitosan derivatives and cellulose fibers, exhibiting antibacterial properties. The design of such material is based on three key principles. First, the formation of a highly porous structure through cryogelation for an extensive surface area. Second, the incorporation of cationic quaternary ammonium moieties onto chitosan to enhance bacterial adsorption and antibacterial activity. Lastly, the reinforcement of mechanical properties through integration of cellulose fibers. The presented sponge materials exhibit up to a 4-log (99.99%) reduction within 6 h against both gram-positive B. subtilis and gram-negative E. coli. Notably, QCHI90/Cell, with the highest surface charge, exhibits a 2–4.5 log reduction within 1 h of incubation time. The eco-friendly synthesis from water and readily available biomaterials, along with cost-effectiveness and simplicity, underscores its versatility and feasibility of upscaling. Together with its outstanding antibacterial activity, this macroporous biomaterial emerges as a promising candidate for water disinfection applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report for the first time MoS2/CNT hybrid nanostructures for memristor applications on flexible and bio-degradable cellulose paper. In our approach, we varied two different weight percentages (10% and 20%) of CNT's in MoS2 to improve the MoS2 conductivity and investigate the memristor device characteristics. The device with 10% CNT shows a low V SET voltage of 2.5 V, which is comparatively small for planar devices geometries. The device exhibits a long data retention time and cyclic current–voltage stability of ∼104 s and 102 cycles, making it a potential candidate in flexible painted electronics. Along with good electrical performance, it also demonstrates a high mechanical stability for 1000 bending cycles. The conduction mechanism in the MoS2-CNT hybrid structure is corroborated by percolation and defect-induced filament formation. Additionally, the device displays synaptic plasticity performance, simulating potentiation and depression processes. Furthermore, such flexible and biodegradable cellulose-based paper electronics may pave the way to address the environmental pollution caused by electronic waste in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural polymers have found increased use in a wider range of applications due to their less harmful effects. Notably, bacterial cellulose has gained significant consideration due to its exceptional physical and chemical properties and its substantial biocompatibility, which makes it an attractive candidate for several biomedical applications. This study attempts to thoroughly unravel the microstructure of bacterial cellulose precursors, known as bioflocculants, which to date have been poorly characterised, by employing both electron and optical microscopy techniques. Here, starting from bioflocculants from Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY), we proved that their microstructural features, such as porosity percentage, cellulose assembly degree, fibres' density and fraction, change in a spatio-temporal manner during their rising toward the liquid–air interface. Furthermore, our research identified a correlation between electron and optical microscopy parameters, enabling the assessment of bioflocculants' microstructure without necessitating offline sample preparation procedures. The ultimate goal was to determine their potential suitability as a novel cellulose-based building block material with tuneable structural properties. Our investigations substantiate the capability of SCOBY bioflocculants, characterized by distinct microstructures, to successfully assemble within a microfluidic device, thereby generating a cellulose sheet endowed with specific and purposefully designed structural features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many plant materials in nature have the ability to change their shape to respond to external stimuli, such as humidity or moisture, to ensure their survival or safe seed release. A well-known example for this phenomenon is the pinecone, which is able to open its scales at low humidity due to the specific bilayer structures of the scale. Inspired by this, we developed a novel humidity-driven actuator based on paper. This was realized by the lamination of untreated paper made from eucalyptus fibers to a paper–carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) composite. As observed, the hygroexpansion of the composite can be easily controlled by the amount of CMC in the impregnated paper sheet, which, thus, controls the morphologic deformation of the paper bilayer. For a more detailed understanding of these novel paper soft robots, we also studied the dynamic water vapor adsorption, polymer distribution and hygroexpansion of the paper–polymer composites. Finally, we applied a geometrically nonlinear finite element model to predict the bending behavior of paper bilayers and compared the results to experimental data. From this, we conclude that due to the complexity of structure of the paper composite, a universal prediction of the hygromorphic behavior is not a trivial matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose pulps in cementitious matrix have been investigated because of their high tensile strength, which improves the mechanical properties of the composites. Nonetheless, the material's hydrophilic nature could impair cement and potentially diminish the durability of the compound. In this work, to improve physical-mechanical performance of fiber cement produced with cellulose, the surface of the cellulose pulp was modified by sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) plasma treatment at different conditions (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 Torr). Fiber cement composite was subsequently produced from treated pulps. Theoretical calculations suggested that cellulose interacts with SF6 molecules through adsorption. The cellulose pulps were evaluated using spectroscopy, diffractometry and water affinity techniques. The physical and mechanical properties of the composites produced were evaluated before and after accelerated ageing cycles. The surface modification of cellulose pulp by SF6 plasma treatment was viable and suitable. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy showed the presence of specific bands related to C-Fx bonds. An exchange of behavior of the cellulose pulp occurred, transitioning from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. After 192 hours of analysis, moisture absorption was reduced by 15.28%, 13.99%, 8.30%, and 14.05% for the 0.1SF6, 0.3SF6, 0.5SF6, and 0.7SF6 treatments, respectively. Only the 0.1SF6 treatment yielded satisfactory results for all mechanical properties assessed, including rupture modulus (MOR), elasticity modulus (MOE), limit of proportionality (LOP), and toughness, when compared to untreated cellulose pulp. The positive results were particularly evident following accelerated ageing cycles, as the properties were either maintained (MOR, LOP) or improved (MOE, toughness). Therefore, this treatment is recommended for the intended application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applied the pull-out test to examine the influence of freeze-thaw cycles and hybrid fiber incorporation on the bond performance between BFRP bars and hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete. The bond-slip curves were fitted by the existing bond-slip constitutive model, and then the bond strength was predicted by a BP neural network. The results indicated that the failure mode changed from pull-out to splitting for the BFRP bar ordinary concrete specimens when the freeze-thaw cycles exceeded 50, while only pull-out failure occurred for all BFRP bar hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete specimens. An increasing trend was shown on the peak slip, but a decreasing trend was shown on the bond stiffness and bond strength when freeze-thaw cycles increased. The bond strength could be increased significantly by the incorporation of basalt fiber (BF) and cellulose fiber (CF) under the same freezing and thawing conditions as compared to concrete specimens without fibers. The Malvar model and the Continuous Curve model performed best in fitting the ascending and descending sections of the bond-slip curves, respectively. The BP neural network also accurately predicted the bond strength, with relative errors of predicted bond strengths ranging from 3.75% to 13.7%, and 86% of them being less than 10%. [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]

Cellulose is one of the most abundant biopolymers on Earth and is of most significant interest due to its properties and uses. Cellulose can be obtained from agro-industrial residues, such as rice husk, whose cellulose content is approximately 30%. In this study, cellulose microfibers were extracted from rice husks. Fibers were obtained by submitting the biomass to alkali (NaOH) and bleaching treatments. These treatments have already been reported in the literature; however, variables such as the concentration of reagents, the time, and the temperature of the chemical treatment have yet to be optimized. A factorial design of experiments with 3 factors and 2 levels for each factor was proposed to optimize the chemical processes. It was determined through the analysis of variance (ANOVA) that the factors evaluated significantly influenced the elimination of non-cellulosic compounds, and that the chemical treatment was more efficient when the factors took high level values. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) analysis showed the successful removal of undesired components during the alkaline treatment. The effect of the treatments on the morphology upon removing hemicelluloses, lignin, and inorganic material was evaluated through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The increase in the thermal stability in the alkali-treated rice husk and in cellulose microfibers, compared to the raw rice husk, was established by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that the treatments increased the percentage of crystallinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feasibility of use of natural nanomaterials, namely, natural aluminosilicate (halloysite) nanotubes and nanocellulose, as modifying additives to commercial polyurethane foam to vary fire resistance and mechanical properties was studied. Series of composite polyurethane foams containing various weight proportions of the modifying additives were obtained via in situ polymerization. The effect of the additives on the polyurethane foam structure, compressibility, and fire resistance was studied. It was observed that introduction of additives into polyurethane foam leads to change of the average pore size and reduction of foams compressibility. However, once the the maximum rigidity of the foam composites was reached, further increase of additive content causes regression of this characteristic. It was also confirmed that increasing additive content positively affects the fire resistance of the produced composites. [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]

[Display omitted] While cellulose-based stretchable hydrogels have been extensively explored in recent years, all-cellulose hydrogels continue to face the limitation of low stretchability (less than 250 %). Herein, for the first time, we fabricate an all-cellulose hydrogel with ultrahigh stretchability that can exceed 40000 % strain. By ring opening reaction on cellulose anhydroglucose unit rings, secondary hydroxyls are converted to primary hydroxyls, enabling enhanced chain flexibility, and facilitating the formation of abundant hydrogen bonds. As a result, the obtained hydrogel displays remarkable characteristics, including record-high stretchability (44200 %), rapid self-healing property (within seconds), and the unique ability to form cellulose fiber. With simple drawing, a smooth and flexible cellulose fiber can be obtained, demonstrating good processability and a high tensile strength of 226 MPa. Furthermore, the all-cellulose hydrogel can function as a human motion sensor and electrocardiogram electrode for monitoring physiological signals. This simple yet highly effective method will not only propel the advancement of ultrastretchable all-cellulose hydrogels but also create new possibilities for wearable device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to increased environmental awareness, the depletion of fossil fuels, and expanding ecological concerns, today's society has a larger need for environmentally friendly materials. The idea of sustainable development of environmental material resources with enhanced economic activities was born from the rise in ecological consciousness. The textile industry generates enormous amounts of cotton waste. The environmental impact of disposing of this cotton waste makes it difficult for the textile sector to dispose of the vast amounts of produced cotton waste. As a result, all-cellulose composites (ACCs) have piqued the interest of researchers in recent years. All-cellulose composites are cellulose-based mono-component cellulose composites in which the reinforcing phase is typically composed of high-strength cellulose fibres, and the matrix is composed of regenerated cellulose. This composite type is distinguished by its exceptional interfacial compatibility and biodegradability due to the matrix and reinforcing phase having common cellulosic compositions. ACCs will become a more alluring option as enterprises prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility because they can be recycled and reused rapidly and simply. This will contribute to less waste and enhance the overall sustainability of our society. This review paper discusses various methods to develop ACCs, textile waste-based thermoset and thermoplastic composites and textile waste-based cellulose composites (TWCCs). This review paper emphasizes approaches to develop TWCCs and the challenges and opportunities in TWCCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the widespread prevalence of viruses, there is an escalating demand for antimicrobial composites. Although the composite of dialdehyde cellulose and silver nanoparticles (DAC@Ag1) exhibits excellent antibacterial properties, its weak mechanical characteristics hinder its practical applicability. To address this limitation, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were initially ammoniated to yield N-CNF, which was subsequently incorporated into DAC@Ag1 as an enhancer, forming DAC@Ag1/N-CNF. We systematically investigated the optimal amount of N-CNF and characterized the DAC@Ag1/N-CNF using FT-IR, XPS, and XRD analyses to evaluate its additional properties. Notably, the optimal mass ratio of N-CNF to DAC@Ag1 was found to be 5:5, resulting in a substantial enhancement in mechanical properties, with a 139.8% increase in tensile elongation and a 33.1% increase in strength, reaching 10% and 125.24 MPa, respectively, compared to DAC@Ag1 alone. Furthermore, the inhibition zones against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were significantly expanded to 7.9 mm and 15.9 mm, respectively, surpassing those of DAC@Ag1 alone by 154.8% and 467.9%, indicating remarkable improvements in antimicrobial efficacy. Mechanism analysis highlighted synergistic effects from chemical covalent bonding and hydrogen bonding in the DAC@Ag1/N-CNF, enhancing the mechanical and antimicrobial properties significantly. The addition of N-CNF markedly augmented the properties of the composite film, thereby facilitating its broader application in the antimicrobial field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a self-powered lactate biosensor (SPLBs) was assembled to detect lactate in sweat based on flexible textile matrix enzymatic electrodes. A porous three-dimensional electrode with high flexibility and electrical conductivity was obtained by decorating composites of reduced graphene oxide and carboxylate multiwalled carbon nanotubes onto a cellulose fabric substrate. The excellent enzyme embedding method using a gel electrolyte showed a Michaelis–Menten constant of 1.46 mM, indicating the high enzymatic activity of lactate dehydrogenase. Moreover, the assembled (SPLBs) displayed a sensitivity of 3.16 µW mM−1 cm−2 with a linear range of 0–10 mM and a detection limit of 9.49 µM. Additionally, the biosensor has good tensile flexural stability, selectivity, and long-term stability. When integrated into clothing, the (SPLBs) recovered 91.5–102.3% of lactate from real sweat, with a relative standard deviation of less than 4.16%. This biosensor is promising for sensing lactate in human sweat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This work introduces an integrated artificial intelligence schemes to enhance accurately predicting the mechanical properties of cellulosic fibers towards boosting their reliability for more sustainable industries. Design/methodology/approach: Fuzzy clustering and stacked method approach were utilized to predict the mechanical performance of the fibers. A reference dataset contains comprehensive information regarding mechanical behavior of the lignocellulosic fibers was compiled from previous experimental investigations on mechanical properties for eight different fiber materials. Data encompass three key factors: Density of 0.9–1.6 g/cm3, Diameter of 5.9–1,000 µm, and Microfibrillar angle of 2–49 deg were utilized. Initially, fuzzy clustering technique was utilized for the data. For validating proposed model, ultimate tensile strength and elongation at break were predicted and then examined against unseen new data that had not been used during model development. Findings: The output results demonstrated remarkably accurate and highly acceptable predictions results. The error analysis for the proposed method was discussed by using statistical criteria. The stacked model proved to be effective in significantly reducing level of uncertainty in predicting the mechanical properties, thereby enhancing model's reliability and precision. The study demonstrates the robustness and efficacy of the stacked method in accurately estimating mechanical properties of lignocellulosic fibers, making it a valuable tool for material scientists and engineers in various applications. Originality/value: Cellulosic fibers are essential for biomaterials to enhance developing green sustainable bio-products. However, such fibers have diverse characteristics according to their types, chemical composition and structure causing inconsistent mechanical performance. This work introduces an integrated artificial intelligence schemes to enhance accurately predicting the mechanical properties of cellulosic fibers towards boosting their reliability for more sustainable industries. Fuzzy clustering and stacked method approach were utilized to predict the mechanical performance of the fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastics offer many advantages and are widely used in various fields. Nevertheless, most plastics derived from petroleum are slow to degrade due to their stable polymer structure, posing serious threats to organisms and ecosystems. Thus, developing environmentally friendly and biodegradable plastics is imperative. In this study, biodegradable cellulose/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MCNT) hybrid gels and films with improved ultraviolet-shielding properties were successfully prepared using cotton textile waste as a resource. It was proven that MCNTs can be dispersed evenly in cellulose without any chemical or physical pretreatment. It was found that the contents of MCNTs had obvious effects on the structures and properties of hybrid films. Particularly, the averaged transmittance of cellulose/MCNT composite films in the range of 320–400 nm (T320–400) and 290–320 nm (T290–320) can be as low as 19.91% and 16.09%, when the content of MCNTs was 4.0%, much lower than those of pure cellulose films (T320–400: 84.12% and T290–320: 80.03%). Meanwhile, the water contact angles of the cellulose/MCNT films were increased by increasing the content of MCNTs. Most importantly, the mechanical performance of cellulose/MCNT films could be controlled by the additives of glycerol and MCNTs. The tensile strength of the cellulose/MCNT films was able to reach as high as 20.58 MPa, while the elongation at break was about 31.35%. To summarize, transparent cellulose/MCNT composites with enhanced ultraviolet-shielding properties can be manufactured successfully from low-cost cotton textile waste, which is beneficial not only in terms of environmental protection, but also the utilization of natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocelluloses have gained significant attention in recent years due to their singular properties (good biocompatibility, high optical transparency and mechanical strength, large specific surface area, and good film-forming ability) and wide-ranging applications (paper, food packaging, textiles, electronics, and biomedical). This article is a comprehensive review of the applications of nanocelluloses (cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibrils, and bacterial nanocellulose) in the conservation and restoration of historical paper documents, including their preparation methods and main properties. The novelty lies in the information collected about nanocelluloses as renewable, environmentally friendly, and sustainable materials in the field of cultural heritage preservation as an alternative to conventional methods. Several studies have demonstrated that nanocelluloses, with or without other particles, may impart to the paper documents excellent optical and mechanical properties, very good stability against temperature and humidity aging, higher antibacterial and antifungal activity, high protection from UV light, and may be applied without requiring additional adhesive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlled development of novel materials fosters innovation in the electrical sector. The hybrid materials based on magnetic nanocellulose are intriguing since they have many uses in electronics, catalysis, medicine, and ecology. The study investigated the structure and morphology of hybrid nanomaterials made from nanocellulose and cobalt ferrite. The nanocellulose was prepared by TEMPO-oxidation and the cobalt ferrite was prepared by sol-gel auto-combustion method. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques, it was determined how nanocellulose loading affected the crystal structure of the synthesized composite. To ascertain the variation in the component concentrations, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) are used. Composite with a higher concentration of nanocellulose fibers (NCF) show lesser particle size, and this may account for the smaller size of nanocellulose fibers, and attachment of nanocellulose nanofibers over the surface of porous cobalt ferrite (CF) found in SEM images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to prepare an anti-washout grout using marine soft clay to stabilize the wind power pile foundations. The cement, hydroxypropyl-methyl cellulose ether (HPMC), and sodium silicate were chosen as the main materials to modify the marine soft clay, and the fluidity, bleeding rate, setting time, rheology, anti-washout characteristics, and compressive strength were investigated. The results showed that high cement content, HPMC, and sodium silicate decreased the workability of grout while enhancing the washout resistance. The addition of HPMC and sodium silicate would increase the yield stress and plastic viscosity of the grout. The sodium silicate content was the key factor influencing the early strength, while the cement content and HPMC affect the later strength. The microstructures including the morphology of C-S-H gels and the content of ettringite and calcium hydroxide significantly changed with the addition of sodium silicate, and Friedel's salt was observed through the microstructure analysis. This study can provide effective guidance for the utilization of marine soft clay, the preparation of anti-washout grout, and the control of pile foundation stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of cellulose with exceptional properties has led to the modification of chemical pulping methods and the development of newer chemical pulping methods. This study developed mixtures of sodium hydroxide, ethanol, and anthraquinone as new pulping chemicals to produce alpha-cellulose from pineapple leaves and Saim weed stem s. The addition of anthraquinone was noticed to influence the pulp yield positively and the FTIR of all the cellulose has the characteristic cellulose bands. Calculated Total crystallinity index (TCI), (Lateral order index) LOI., and Hydrogen bond intensity (HBI) from the FTIR presented PLSHAEC (68.38 %) and SWSHQEC (67.74 %) having high crystallinity. From the XRD, the 2θ by all the materials is attributed to cellulose I diffraction, and the crystallinity index aligned with FTIR determined crystallinity. The determined particle average diameter using ImageJ software showed that PLSHQEC 3.00 had the smallest value, followed by 5.17 for PLSHQC, 5.32 for SWSHQEC, and 6.03 for SWSHQEC. From the thermal analysis, the onset of the degradation of all the cellulose occurred at different temperatures: 247.10 °C (PLSHQC), 253.38 °C (PLSHQEC), 240.20 °C (SWSHQC) and 242.58 °C (SWSHQEC). The increase in yield, higher crystallinity index, and smaller fiber diameter of the cellulose demonstrated anthraquinone as a better additive to produce quality cellulose that would undergo easy chemical modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the Internet of Things has increased the anticipation for wearable smart devices in personalized healthcare. Carbon aerogel films, characterized by multifunctional and lightweight porous properties, are emerging as promising components for lightweight smart devices. In this study, we adopt a straightforward, cost-effective approach to fabricate carbon aerogels using cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and graphene (GO) co-stabilized Pickering emulsion, followed by vacuum filtration, freeze-drying, and carbonization treatment. The carbonization process involves the pyrolysis of paraffin wax and the reduction of graphene oxide, resulting in a uniquely porous structure, low density, and remarkable properties related to Joule heating, photothermal conversion, and conductivity sensitivity across a wide range of stresses. Incorporating CRP-30 into a piezoresistive sensor enables real-time monitoring of subtle human activities such as carotid pulse beats, swallowing, and facial expressions. This multifunctional carbon aerogel film holds great promise in the domains of wearable personal thermal management and personal health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High variations in juvenile wood properties in the radial direction and its worse performance than mature wood make it less suitable for some applications and often treated as waste material. This study aimed to assess how thermal modification affects the chemical composition and the physical, mechanical and swelling properties of Scots pine juvenile and mature wood. An additional goal was to evaluate if the modification can equalise the differences in selected properties of juvenile wood to those of mature wood so that from waste material, juvenile wood can become a fully-fledged raw material for various industrial applications. Thermal treatment at 220 °C influenced wood chemical composition, degrading mainly hemicelluloses but also affecting cellulose and lignin, which resulted in a reduction of hydroxyls and carbonyl/carboxyl groups. These changes were more pronounced for mature than juvenile wood. It reduced mass loss and swelling rate, and increased swelling pressure in the tangential and radial directions to a higher degree for juvenile than mature wood. Changes in mechanical properties in compression were statistically significant only for mature wood, while wood hardness remained unaffected. Although the applied heat treatment improved the performance of juvenile wood by reducing its swelling rate, it did not equalise the examined properties between juvenile and mature wood. Since higher juvenile wood proportion is expected in the wood supply from the future intensively managed forests, there is still a need to find suitable modification methods or better processing techniques so that instead of being thrown away as waste, it could be used broadly in various industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the dehydration of waterlogged archaeological wood (WAW), shrinkage inevitably occurs due to capillary force and hydrogen bond recombination as WAW loses free and adsorbed water. Existing drying techniques, including solvent displacement, freeze-drying, and supercritical fluid drying, only take effect by reducing or eliminating the surface tension of liquid. Nonetheless, the contribution of hydrogen bond recombination in shrinkage has long been neglected and a countermeasure concerning this problem is needed. In this study, we propose a simple aqueous phenylboronic acid (PBA) treatment that can help improve dimensional stability and reduce hygroscopicity of WAW. Analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, density functional theory calculation and dynamic vapour sorption reveal that PBA can incorporate with hydroxyl groups (–OH) on cellulose through coordination and hydrogen bonds, occupy the water-cellulose binding sites, and possibly inhibit the formation of hydrogen bonds between adjacent cellulose chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transient dimensional changes during hygro-expansion and hydro-expansion of freely and restrained dried, softwood and hardwood sheets and fibers is monitored, to unravel the governing micro-mechanisms occurring during gradual water saturation. The response of individual fibers is measured using a full-field global digital height correlation method, which has been extended to monitor the transient hydro-expansion of fibers from dry to fully saturated. The hygro- and hydro-expansion is larger for freely versus restrained dried and softwood versus hardwood handsheets. The transient sheet-scale hydro-expansion reveals a sudden strain and moisture content step. It is postulated that the driving mechanism is the moisture-induced softening of the so-called "dislocated regions" in the fiber's cellulose micro-fibrils, unlocking further fiber swelling. The strain step is negligible for restrained dried handsheets, which is attributed to the "dislocated cellulose regions" being locked in their stretched configuration during restrained drying, which is supported by the single fiber hydro-expansion measurements. Finally, an inter-fiber bond model is exploited and adapted to predict the sheet-scale hygro-expansion from the fiber level characteristics. The model correctly predicts the qualitative differences between freely versus restrained dried and softwood versus hardwood handsheets, yet, its simplified geometry does not allow for more quantitative predictions of the sheet-scale hydro-expansion. [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]

Aqueous zinc metal batteries are regarded as the most promising energy storage system due to their advantages of high safety, low cost, and high theoretical capacity. However, the growth of dendrites and the occurrence of side reactions hinder the development of zinc metal batteries. Despite previous attempts to design advanced hydrogel electrolytes, achieving high mechanical performance and ionic conductivity of hydrogel electrolytes has remained challenging. In this work, a hydrogel electrolyte with an ionic crosslinked network is prepared by carboxylic bacterial cellulose fiber and imidazole-type ionic liquid, following by a covalent network of polyacrylamide. The hydrogel electrolyte possesses a superior ionic conductivity of 43.76 mS cm-1, leading to a Zn2+ migration number of 0.45, and high mechanical performance with an elastic modulus of 3.48 GPa and an elongation at breaking of 38.36%. More importantly, under the anion-coordination effect of the carboxyl group in bacterial cellulose and [BF4]-in imidazole-type ionic liquid, the solvation sheath of hydrated Zn2+ ions and the nucleation overpotential of Zn plating are regulated. The results of cycled testing show that the growth of zinc dendrites is effectively inhibited and the generation of irreversible by-products is reduced. With the carboxylic bacterial cellulose-based hydrogel electrolyte, the Zn||Zn symmetric batteries offer good cyclability as well as Zn||Ti batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camellia oleifera, as a woody edible oil tree species, is widely planted in various southern provinces. If the processing residue of Camellia oleifera fruit shell is not effectively utilized, it will cause pollution to the air, water bodies, and ecology. Camellia oleifera fruit shell is rich in mesoporous structure, which can be used to prepare activated carbon for adsorption or in the fields of batteries, electrodes, and capacitors. The comprehensive cellulose obtained by removing lignin from the shell of Camellia oleifera can be used to prepare comprehensive cellulose membrane materials or nano cellulose membrane materials for packaging, textiles and medical fields. Camellia oleifera fruit shell is rich in natural active substances such as lignin and tea saponin, which can be used to prepare Camellia oleifera fruit shell-based resin as a bonding material and has characteristics such as resistance to harsh weather and flame retardancy. Particleboard is prepared from the shell of Camellia oleifera fruit by hot pressing technology, which can be used in fields such as furniture and construction. Camellia oleifera fruit shell, as a reinforcing phase, can be used to composite with plastic to prepare wood plastic composite materials, which can be used in fields such as landscaping and interior decoration. In this article, the research progress in the utilization of Camellia oleifera shell in the above-mentioned fields was reviewed and prospects for the bio-based materials of Camellia oleifera shell was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although lithium metal is considered a promising anode for advanced Li-S and Li-air batteries, the uncontrolled dendrite growth and infinite volume change impede its practical application. Herein, we report an ideal framework composed of carbonized bacterial cellulose (CBC) nanofibers, which shows intrinsic lithiophilicity to molten lithium without any lithiophilic surface modification. The wetting behavior of molten lithium can be significantly improved because its surface functional groups provide thermodynamical driving force, and the high surface roughness derived from nanocracks leads to rapid infusion in kinetics. The hybrid anode exhibits long cycle life up to 2000 h and excellent deep stripping–platting capacity up to 20 mAh·cm−2. When the anode is assembled with LiFePO4 cathode, the full cell delivers a good cycling stability up to 700 cycles. This is attributed to the intrinsic lithiophilic scaffold, which can not only lower the nucleation barrier of Li and provide uniform nucleation sites for stable Li stripping/plating, but also offer interspace to accommodate volume fluctuation of lithium during long cycling. This work provides a new manner to achieve a series of intrinsic lithiophilic carbon skeletons based on the large family of biomass materials and organic materials. [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.

Nanofluids are widely used in seawater desalination, energy conversion, and ion circuits, and the ordered channel structure can improve the ion transport properties of such nanofluids. Biomass-based nanofluids has revealed flaws, such as uncontrollable construction of nanostructure, the weak interaction of structural components, low ionic conductivity, unsatisfactory long-term reliability underwater, and insufficient energy conversion efficiency. Herein, in this study, micronano channel fiber was constructed by self-twisting microfluidic spinning cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to obtain aligned nanostructures with an orientation of 0.77. An ordered arrangement and stable bonding formed between the CNCs make their mechanical properties and electrical conductivity improve significantly. It exhibited excellent mechanical properties, with a tensile strength of 450 MPa. The cellulose fibers had a conductivity of 5.5 mS/cm in a 10−5 M KCl solution. The steady-state ordered arrangement micronano channels and regularly arranged hydroxyl functional groups formed by self-twisting effect, which promotes ion transport with higher diffusion coefficient of K+ than Cl−. This work can promote the application of pure cellulose in high-performance osmotic energy conversion systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cationic cellulose nanofibrils demonstrate outstanding properties and have garnered extensive attention as sustainable materials. However, the large-scale preparation of cationic cellulose nanofibrils was limited since the high crystallinity of plant fibers made them harder to disintegrate and nanofibrillate. In this study, cationic cellulose nanofibrils, HKCF, were produced from softwood bleached kraft pulp (SWBK) with 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (EPTAC) by disk milling, followed by high-pressure homogenization. Morphologies and structures of cationic fibers (KCF and CCF) and homogenized products were characterized. The influence of cationization combined with high mechanical shear on the degree of substitution (DS) of cationic fibers was studied. At the same molar ratios of EPTAC to anhydroglucose units and holding time, the DS of KCF was higher than that of CCF. Compared with simple mixing induced by conventional stirring, the high mechanical shear induced by disk milling could increase the cationic efficiency of EPTAC by at least 50%. After high-pressure homogenization, KCF was completely fibrillated to HKCF with nano-scaled dimensions. HKCF dispersion showed a Bingham flow behavior and viscosity-dominating fluid-like behavior. Our study provides a facile and effective industrialized approach for producing highly substituted cationic cellulose nanofibrils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of novel biomaterials as packaging material is an emerging approach for dealing with concerns about food safety and environmental pollution. Legislative compulsions have compelled the scientific community to think about other alternatives to non-biodegradable packaging. The demand for biodegradable materials; especially from non-conventional sources, has increased. In the present study, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin extracted from peanut shell were evaluated for the development of composite films. The effect of incorporation of lignin or hemicellulose or both in cellulose films was characterized to assess the functional properties of composite films. The inclusion of the aforementioned biopolymers enhanced the physiochemical properties including opacity, swelling index, water solubility and elongation at break while tensile strength and moisture contents were higher for the pure cellulose films. FTIR spectra and SEM images of the composite films revealed that there was no bonding between the lignin and cellulose in the composite films, on the contrary, the hemicellulose was attached to the surface of cellulose fibers with hydrogen bonds. All the composite films depicted more than 50% biodegradation after 15 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Nicotiana rustica L. (NRL) is a type of tobacco plant, and its stalk waste is a potential lignocellulosic source for obtaining cellulose fibers freely available in nature. However, they are left in fields after harvesting, and this study provides a green and sustainable method to reuse tobacco waste. Fiber was obtained by retting the plant stalks in water and decomposing them naturally in three weeks. NRL fiber was characterized by comparing it with known bast fibers, and tests were applied to examine its physical, chemical, mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties. With its high cellulose content (56.6 wt%), NRL fiber had a high tensile strength (113.4 MPa) and a good crystallinity index (70%) that helped it to bond with other fibers in the composite matrix. Furthermore, the fiber is an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fibers with a diameter of 36.88 μm and low density (1.5 g/cm3). The NRL fiber was found to have a semi-crystalline structure and large crystalline size, which makes it hydrophobic. The thermal gravimetric analysis showed that it can be durable (353.9 °C) in higher temperatures than the polymerization temperature. As a result, it can be concluded that NRL fiber has the potential to be used as a reinforcement in polymer composites, technical textiles, and agricultural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocellulose fiber materials were considered promising biomaterials due to their excellent biodegradability, biocompatibility, high hydrophilicity, and cost-effectiveness. However, their low proton conductivity significantly limited their application as proton exchange membranes. The methods previously reported to increase their proton conductivity often introduced non-biodegradable groups and compounds, which resulted in the loss of the basic advantages of this natural polymer in terms of biodegradability. In this work, a green and sustainable strategy was developed to prepare cellulose-based proton exchange membranes that could simultaneously meet sustainability and high-performance criteria. Adenine and thymine were introduced onto the surface of tempo-oxidized nanocellulose fibers (TOCNF) to provide many transition sites for proton conduction. Once modified, the proton conductivity of the TOCNF membrane increased by 31.2 times compared to the original membrane, with a specific surface area that had risen from 6.1 m²/g to 86.5 m²/g. The wet strength also increased. This study paved a new path for the preparation of environmentally friendly membrane materials that could replace the commonly used non-degradable ones, highlighting the potential of nanocellulose fiber membrane materials in sustainable applications such as fuel cells, supercapacitors, and solid-state batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The flexible and self-healing supercapacitors (SCs) are considered to be promising smart energy storage devices. Nevertheless, the SCs integrated with flexibility, lightweight, pattern editability, self-healing capabilities and desirable electrochemical properties remain a challenge. Herein, an all-in-one self-healing SC fabricated with the free-standing hybrid film (TCMP) composed of the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yloxy-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNs) carried carbon nanotubes (CNTs), manganese dioxide (MnO 2) and polyaniline (PANI) as the electrode, polyvinyl alcohol/sulfuric acid (PVA/H 2 SO 4) gel as the electrolyte and dynamically cross-linked cellulose nanofibers/PVA/sodium tetraborate decahydrate (CNF/PB) hydrogel as the self-healing electrode matrix is developed. The TCMP film electrodes are fabricated through a facile in-situ polymerization of MnO 2 and PANI in TOCNs-dispersed CNTs composite networks, exhibiting lightweight, high electrical conductivity, flexibility, pattern editability and excellent electrochemical properties. Benefited from the hierarchically porous structure and high mechanical properties of TOCNs, excellent electrical conductivity of CNTs and the desirable synergistic effect of pseudocapacitance induced by MnO 2 and PANI, the assembled SC with an interdigital structure demonstrated a high areal capacitance of 1108 mF cm−2 at 2 mA cm−2, large areal energy density of 153.7 μWh cm−2 at 1101.7 μW cm−2. A satisfactory bending cycle performance (capacitance retention up to 95 % after 200 bending deformations) and self-healing characteristics (∼90 % capacitance retention after 10 cut/repair cycles) are demonstrated for the TCMP-based symmetric SC, delivering a feasible strategy for electrochemical energy storage devices with excellent performance, designable patterns and desirable safe lifespan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Recently, wearable electronic products and gadgets have developed quickly with the aim of catching up to or perhaps surpassing the ability of human skin to perceive information from the external world, such as pressure and strain. In this study, by first treating the cellulosic fiber (modal textile) substrate with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) and then covering it with conductive nanocomposites, a bionic corpuscle layer is produced. The sandwich structure of tactile corpuscle-inspired bionic (TCB) piezoresistive sensors created with the layer-by-layer (LBL) technology consists of a pressure-sensitive module (a bionic corpuscle), interdigital electrodes (a bionic sensory nerve), and a PU membrane (a bionic epidermis). The synergistic mechanism of hydrogen bond and coupling agent helps to improve the adhesive properties of conductive materials, and thus improve the pressure sensitive properties. The TCB sensor possesses favorable sensitivity (1.0005 kPa−1), a wide linear sensing range (1700 kPa), and a rapid response time (40 ms). The sensor is expected to be applied in a wide range of possible applications including human movement tracking, wearable detection system, and textile electronics. [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]

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) is an environmentally friendly material with a high specific surface area, which is an ideal candidate for cathode catalysts in zinc–air batteries (ZABs). However, untreated CNF-based carbon materials suffer from low intrinsic activity and fewer micro-mesopores. Herein, we developed an N-doped porous carbon aerogel from CNF and graphite phase carbon nitride (g-C3N4) via hydrothermal pretreatment and the carbonization process. The CNF can serve as the skeleton of the aerogel that leads to an interconnected porous structure, while g-C3N4 guarantees the in situ N doping and the formation of more nanopores. Therefore, the as-prepared carbon aerogel exhibits excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performances owing to the successful N doping with sufficient graphite-N and pyridine-N active sites (69.1%) and high specific surface areas (785.4 m2 g−1). The assembled ZABs with a carbon aerogel deliver a specific capacity of 790 mA h g−1 and an energy density of 945.6 W h kg−1 with a long-term stability over 100 h. This work opens a new avenue for the effective conversion of abundant biomass into bifunctional air cathodes for energy-related applications. [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]

L-poly(lactic acid), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), and poly-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate are biodegradable polymers that can be obtained from renewable biomass sources. The aim of this study was to develop three types of environmentally friendly film biocomposites of altered microstructure by combining each of the above-mentioned polymers with cellulose nanocrystal fillers and further processing the resulting materials via space-confined solvent vapor annealing. Cellulose was previously obtained from renewable biomass and further converted to cellulose nanocrystals by hydrolysis with the lactic acid. The solutions of biodegradable polymers were spin-coated onto solid substrates before and after the addition of cellulose nanocrystals. The obtained thin film composites were further processed via space-confined solvent vapor annealing to eventually favor their crystallization and, thus, to alter the final microstructure. Indeed, atomic force microscopy studies have revealed that the presence of cellulose nanocrystals within a biodegradable polymer matrix promoted the formation of large crystalline structures exhibiting fractal-, spherulitic- or needle-like morphologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo cellulose fiber (BF)-reinforced epoxy (EP) composites were fabricated with BF subjected to plasma treatment using argon (Ar), oxygen (O2), and nitrogen (N2) gases. Optimal mechanical properties of the EP/BF composites were achieved with BFs subjected to 30 min of plasma treatment using Ar. This is because Ar gas improved the plasma electron density, surface polarity, and BF roughness. Flexural strength and flexural modulus increased with O2 plasma treatment. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the etching of the fiber surface with Ar gas improved interfacial adhesion. The water contact angle and surface tension of the EP/BF composite improved after 10 min of Ar treatment, owing to the compatibility between the BFs and the EP matrix. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed a reduction in lignin after treatment and the formation of new peaks at 1736 cm−1, which indicated a reaction between epoxy groups of the EP and carbon in the BF backbone. This reaction improved the compatibility, mechanical properties, and water resistance of the composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polymers (SFRTPs) are commonly used in various molding methods due to their high specific elasticity and strength. To evaluate the interfacial strength, several determination methods have been proposed, including the interfacial shear strength (IFSS). In previous research, an IFSS evaluation method based on the short beam shear method was proposed. However, this method is only applicable to micrometer-sized fibers with high stiffness levels that are not easily bent. When utilizing cellulose fiber, the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) results frequently exhibit significant deviations. To tackle this issue, we suggest an enhanced experimental technique that employs beam-shaped specimens with welding points based on the short beam shear test. Furthermore, we conducted a three-dimensional analysis of the original method to determine the fiber orientation angle and IFSS. The outcomes were compared with previously reported determinations. The IFSS achieved through the novel method proposed in this paper exhibits high precision and reliability, rendering it suitable for use with soft and flexible fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose-based materials are not in short supply and are characterized by relatively low cost. On the other hand, cellulose fibers have a wide range of valuable physical, chemical and mechanical properties that make them indispensable in a number of sectors of the national economy. Along with valuable qualities, natural and artificial cellulose fibers also have some disadvantages that limit their use in technology and in the national economy. These are low resistance to the action of microorganisms, relatively low heat resistance, chemical resistance, flammability, etc., which reduce their service life and limit their scope. One of the ways to eliminate these shortcomings is the modification of natural and artificial macromolecular compounds by chemical and physicochemical methods. Improving the properties of cellulose and its derivatives can be achieved by various modification methods, among which one of the most promising is the radiationchemical grafting of various monomers. One of the advantages of this method, in comparison with others, is the production of field worlds that are not contaminated with impurities, the presence of which can adversely affect their physicochemical properties. Another advantage is the relative ease of formation of macroradicals necessary to initiate the process of graft copolymerization. Quite a lot of work has been devoted to the radiation grafting of various monomers to cellulose and its derivatives; at present, some of them are beginning to be widely used in the national economy. In the light of the foregoing, the grafting of fluorine-containing monomers, the polymers and copolmers of which have such very valuable and specific properties as high heat resistance, chemical resistance, light resistance, decay resistance and hydrophobicity to cellulose and its derivatives, is of great scientific and practical interest. This work is the synthesis of graft copolymers of cotton cellulose with vinyl fluoride by the radiation-chemical method from the vapor phase, the study of the effect of radiation dose rate, reaction time, the presence and nature of solvents on the course of this process and the yield of graft copolymers, as well as the study of such important physical and chemical properties and operational properties of the original, irradiated and grafted copolymers, such as sorption capacity and density, hydrophobicity and swelling, degree of whiteness, mechanical properties, thermal stability, the nature of the change in the supramolecular structure as a result of grafting fluorine-containing polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Composites based on recycled polypropylene (PP) reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals whit lignin corncob were prepared. The effect of the ratio composites prepared via a compression molding process on the mechanical and thermal properties was analyzed. Corncobs is a little-used agroindustrial residue with a high cellulose content. The corncob was milled and then delignified via the organosolve process in order to get the cellulose unbleached. An acid hydrolysis process was then carried out to obtain lignocellulose nanocrystals (LCNCs). Subsequently, LCNC/PP composites were obtained via termocompression molding using different concentrations of LCNC (0, 0.5, 1 and 2% by weight) previously mixed via extrusion. The residual lignin present in the LCNCs improved the compatibility between the reinforcement and the PP matrix. This was evidenced by the increase in mechanical properties and the stabilization of thermal properties. The results of the mechanical tests showed that the LCNC increases the tensile and flexural modules and strength with respect to neat PP. Composites with 2% of LCNC showed an increase of 36% and 43% in modulus and tensile strength, respectively, while the flexural modulus and strength increased by 7.6%. By using reinforcements of natural and residual origin (corncob) and improving the properties of recycled polymers, their reuse will increase, and this can lead to reducing waste in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]