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The objective of this study is to develop an efficient, easily recoverable membrane-based photocatalyst for removing organic pollutants from aqueous solutions. This study documents the effective synthesis of a novel composite photocatalyst comprising WO3/g-C3N4 (WCN) loaded onto cellulose acetate (CA). The physicochemical properties of the synthesized nanocomposites were validated using a range of techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. SEM analysis revealed that the WCN particles exhibited a well-decorated arrangement on the CA surface in the form of spherical particles. The successfully synthesized film was utilized as a potential adsorbent for removing organic pollutants such as Rhodamine B (Rh-B) and Methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions under UV light illumination. The results showcased the significant potential of the WCN@CA nanocomposite, achieving a remarkable 83% and 85% efficiency in eliminating Rh-B and MB. The pseudo-first-order kinetic models were found to be appropriate for both dye adsorption onto the WCN@CA nanocomposite. The WCN@CA catalyst, capable of being reused five times without significant loss of efficiency, shows great potential for decomposing toxic organic pollutants. The novelty of this work lies in the innovative combination of WCN with CA, resulting in a highly efficient and reusable photocatalyst for environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A PVDF/CA/LATP CSE is developed via a facile solution-casting process. • PVDF/CA ratio and LATP fractions affect CSE's crystallinity and structural porosity. • The optimized CSE exhibits a high ionic conductivity of 4.9 × 10-4 S cm−1. • The optimized CSE possesses a wide electrochemical window up to 5.0 V vs. Li/Li+. • An LFP-based cell containing PVDF/CA/LATP CSE delivers over 160 mAh g−1 capacity. To enhance energy density and secure the safety of lithium-ion batteries, developing solid-state electrolytes is a promising strategy. In this study, a composite solid-state electrolyte (CSE) composed of poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF)/cellulose acetate (CA) matrix, lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt, and Li 1.3 Al 0.3 Ti 1.7 (PO 4) 3 (LATP) fillers is developed via a facile solution-casting method. The PVDF/CA ratio, LiTFSI, and LATP fractions affect the crystallinity, structural porosity, and thermal and electrochemical stability of the PVDF/CA/LATP CSE. The optimized CSE (4P1C-40LT/20F) presents a high ionic conductivity of 4.9 × 10-4 S cm−1 and a wide electrochemical window up to 5.0 V vs. Li/Li+. A lithium iron phosphate-based cell containing the CSE delivers a high discharge capacity of over 160 mAh g−1 at 25 °C, outperforming its counterpart containing PVDF/CA polymer electrolyte. It also exhibits satisfactory cycling stability at 1C with approximately 90 % capacity retention at the 200th cycle. Additionally, its rate performance is promising, demonstrating a capacity retention of approximately 80 % under varied rates (2C/0.1C). The increased amorphous region, Li+ transportation pathways, and Li+ concentration of the 4P1C-40LT/20F CSE membrane facilitate Li+ migration within the CSE, thus improving the battery performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petroleum-derived single-use plastics have dominated a range of material applications, including packaging and service ware (e.g., water bottles, food containers, and drinking straws). However, despite their short-lived service life, the inherent durability, and stability of these plastics have resulted in significant environmental accumulation and spill, contaminating both aquatic and land ecosystems. Consequently, there is a surging interest in the development of bioplastics as a sustainable alternative to petrochemical derived plastics that align with circular economy principles. Among potential materials, cellulose acetate (CA) showcases impressive mechanical properties, optical characteristics, melt processability, and compostability. However, due to its hygroscopic behavior, inferior barrier properties, and lack of dimensional stability, CA applications in the packaging industry are minimal. In this research, the acetylation of lignin and its use as a functional filler for CA matrix was studied. The impact of varying lignin loadings (up to 30 wt.%) on the tensile, morphological, barrier, and viscoelastic properties of the resulting materials was investigated. A thorough characterization of the compression-molded acetylated lignin-CA films revealed a reduction in water uptake (by 59% over baseline), up to a 41.5% reduction in water vapor permeability, and enhanced tensile properties with melt flowability. In summary, the examined films displayed favorable characteristics for use in food and other packaging applications. Consequently, they serve as low carbon footprint, and eco-friendly substitutes for conventional petrochemical-based packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass waste is an abundant resource. The current biomass valorisation is focused on purified or more homogeneous streams of waste, such as spent grains from breweries. Mixed plant biomass waste is usually not valorised due to the high cost of separation, collection and transportation. Moreover, the challenge extends to space exploration, where the management of mixed plant biomass waste through storage or incineration is not sustainable for long-duration missions. Additionally, Rockwool, widely used in hydroponics both terrestrially and in space, presents health hazards and environmental disposal issues. There's a critical need to valorise mixed plant biomass waste and to develop safer, more eco-friendly substrates for plant growth. This study presents a circular approach to convert mixed plant biomass waste into bioplastics for plant growth substrates, with the process completed by recycling plant residues back into bioplastics. Mixed garden waste was treated with alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) to enhance cellulose content by 75% while decreasing hemicellulose and lignin contents. The effectiveness of AHP in extracting cellulose was verified using FTIR and SEM analyses. Cellulose was transformed into cellulose acetate (CA) using a green acetylation process, achieving a degree of substitution of 2.5. Triethyl citrate (TEC) plasticized the CA, which was then 3D printed into porous structures for growing garden peas. Post-harvest, the plant debris was reconverted into CA, showcasing a sustainable cycle of plant biomass waste valorisation. This research has proved the concept of converting mixed plant biomass waste into growth substrates for hydroponic systems, offering advantages to the space, horticulture, waste management, and bioplastics sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are global challenges in addressing the oil spill treatment. Nanofiber has become a great potential in the oil spill cleaning process because of the environmental friendliness, high efficiency, low cost, and stability of the obtained nanofiber mats. This study presents a novel composite fabricated from cellulose acetate (CA) and cellulose nitrate (CN) nanofibers with the incorporation of carbon black (CA-CN/CB) for efficient oil removal. This nanofiber composite was fabricated in one-step electrospinning of 10% CA and CN solution with different concentrations of carbon black (CB). The morphology and fiber diameter of the CA-CN/CB nanofiber composite were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and they appeared to be smooth, uniform fibers without beads. The average fiber diameter was in nano-meter size and increased with the increasing CB amount in the composite, ranging from 327 to 755 nm. The FTIR results indicated the presence of CA and CN as characteristic peaks of C = O for CA and O-NO2 for CN. The nanofibers mats of the CA-CN, CA-CN/CB0.7, CA-CN/CB1.5, and CA-CN/CB2.2 composites had Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of 15.29, 38.40, 4.08, and 6.17 m2 g−1, respectively. Under optimal conditions, CA-CN/CB nanofiber mats absorb more than their weight oil in just 30 min. The adsorption result showed that loading 1.5% of CB to CA-CN mats (CA-CN/CB1.5) was more favorable for oil adsorption. The CA-CN/CB1.5 nanofiber showed its reusability for oil adsorption. The Freundlich isotherm model was the most appropriate model among other isotherm models, including Langmuir and Temkin, with a value of correlation coefficient (R2) equal to or closer to unity, and this result was confirmed by the data obtained from studying different error function models. The adsorption kinetics showed that oil adsorption into CA-CN/CB1.5 nanofiber follows a pseudo-second-order kinetics model with R2 close to unity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longan seeds contain high amounts of polyphenols, which have been shown to have high antioxidant and antibacterial activities but are not effectively utilized. The utilization of longan seed extract (LSE) not only taps into readily available and abundant raw materials, addressing economic concerns, but also enhances the quality of food packaging films based on cellulose. In this study, the longan seed extract (LSE) was extracted from longan (Dimocarpus longan) seeds using three common solvents (ethanol, mixed ethanol-water 1:1 v/v, and water solvent). The extracted polyphenol content in the LSE with the ethanol-water solvent 1:1 of 179 mg·g− 1 was the highest compared to the other solvents. The obtained extract exhibited the ability to scavenge free radicals (DPPH) with an IC50 of 65.30 (µg·mL− 1) and demonstrated antibacterial properties against E. coli and S. aureus. The films based on cellulose acetate (CA) with LSE (denoted as CA/LSE film) in varying volume CA/LSE ratios (10/0, 10/1, 10/1.5, and 10/2) were firstly manufactured using a solvent casting method with the extracted solution. SEM micrographs of the samples showed uniformity in the CA/LSE sample structure, improving the tensile strength of the initial polymer film, increasing from 38.9 MPa to 43.5 MPa. However, the elongation at break of the samples slightly decreased. The CA/LSE films demonstrated the potential to meet the requirements of antimicrobial food preservation films, emphasizing their environmentally friendly nature. Highlights: The extract from longan seed (LSE) has a polyphenols content of 179 mg·g-1. The films of cellulose acetate and LSE were formed using the casting method. Adding LSE improved the tensile strength and antibacterial activity of the film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Solid biopolymer electrolytes for zinc primary battery based on cellulose acetate (CA) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) have been prepared by solution casting technique with Dimethylformamide (DMF) as the solvent. X-ray diffraction analysis provides that biopolymer membrane 40 wt% of CA:60 wt% of ZnCl2 shows very high amorphous nature. Complex formation between biopolymer CA with ZnCl2 has been confirmed by FTIR measurements. Biopolymer membrane 40 wt% of CA:60 wt% of ZnCl2 shows a high zinc ionic conductivity of 3.04 × 10–3 S/cm calculated from impedance measurements. Wagner's Polarization measurements indicates that charge carriers are ions and the highest zinc ionic conductivity membrane has got low glass transition temperature 35 °C determined by DSC studies. The electrochemical stability of the highest zinc ion conductivity membrane is found to be 2.15 V by LSV technique. The cyclic stability of the prepared membrane has been determined by cyclic voltammetry analysis. Transport parameters such as Diffusion constant (D), mobility (μ) and relaxation time (τ) have been calculated for the biopolymer electrolytes. A primary zinc ion battery has been constructed using zinc plate as anode, highest zinc ion conducting membrane as an electrolyte and MnO2 as cathode shows an open-circuit voltage 1.55 V. The performance of the battery has been studied with various loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose acetate (CA), synthesized by solid–liquid acetylation of low crystalline cellulose (LCCell) obtained by cold shearing in a short time under environmentally benign conditions, effectively enhanced the crystallization of poly(lactic acid) (PLA). The composite of PLA compounded with CA from LCCell exhibited higher crystallinity of PLA and flexural modulus than those from pristine PLA. CAs obtained from crystalline and recrystallized cellulose also improved the mechanical strength of PLA by compounding, but their effects were weaker than that of CA from LCCell. The factor of the effectiveness of CA obtained from LCCell is the higher miscibility with PLA originating from the sufficiently released interchain hydrogen bonds in the cellulose fibrils by cold shearing, which allows the dissolution of macroscopic aggregation of the CA chains in the composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of a microcavity and a microsphere has been proposed in this work to manipulate light in terms of emission wavelength and propagation direction. A microcavity with a layer of molecular photoswitch between two one-dimensional photonic crystals of polyvinyl carbazole and cellulose acetate has been designed. To tune the microcavity, the molecular photoswitch has been excited taking into account its cyclization upon irradiation at 313 nm and its cycloreversion at 450 nm. In this way, the emission peak of the microcavity switches from 508.5 nm to 525 nm. A polystyrene microsphere with a radius of 1 μ m is placed near the microcavity. With the detector at an angle of 8°, the emission at 525 nm is 1.73 times higher with respect to the emission at 508.5 nm, while at 10.8°, the emission at 508.5 nm is 1.45 times higher with respect to the emission at 525 nm. The value of these findings is that they offer the experimentalists a ready means to compare the optical data of these types of composites with theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the feasibility of extracting cellulose from tissue paper wastes (TPW’s) using several methods: sonication (SC), subcritical (SU), microwave (MC), and microwave with diluted acid (MA). The chemical characterisation and morphological properties of nanocrystal cellulose were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-Ray analysis (SEM-EDX). TPW’s have a relatively high crystallinity index (CrI = 61.02%). It was found to be lower than that for cellulose extracted using SU and SC MC, MA methods, where CrI to 65.65%, 68.07%, 69.21% and 73.42%, respectively. The MA method yielded cellulose with the highest CrI and altered surface morphology. This cellulose was selected for cellulose acetate synthesis. After acetylation, the CrI decreased to 61.45%, and the morphological aspect was changed. In conclusion, nanocrystal cellulose was successfully extracted from TPW’s and effectively changed to its esterified form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Cladoxylopsids, one of the first lineages with complex organization to rise from the plexus of structurally simple plants that comprised the earliest euphyllophyte floras, are moniliformopsid euphyllophytes. They formed Earth's earliest forests by the Middle Devonian and are thought to have given rise to the equisetopsids and probably some fern lineages. The Lower Devonian (Emsian) Battery Point Formation (Quebec, Canada) contains previously unrecognized cladoxylopsids preserved anatomically. One of these provides new data on structural evolution among euphyllophytes and is described here. Methods: The anatomy and morphology of permineralized axes of the new plant were studied with light and electron microscopy on sections produced using the cellulose acetate peel technique. Morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analysis were used for taxonomic placement of the plant. Results: The plant represents a new species, Paracladoxylon kespekianum Chu et Tomescu, gen. et sp. nov., that has tracheids with modern‐looking bordered pits and the complex cauline vascular architecture characteristic of the genus Cladoxylon. Its dissected ultimate appendages have complex regular taxis and a pattern of vascularization that suggests bilateral symmetry. Conclusions: Paracladoxylon kespekianum is one of the largest Early Devonian euphyllophytes, among the oldest representatives of the cladoxylopsid group, and older than any species of the closely related Cladoxylon by at least 35 million years. It is also one of the oldest anatomically preserved representatives of the cladoxylopsid group. Its anatomical organization pushes the rise of complex vascular architecture among moniliformopsid euphyllophytes deeper in time than previously recognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major challenge for modern society is securing quality water for various uses. Membrane water treatment will be crucial for drinking water, desalination, and wastewater reuse. The development of bismuth molybdate (Bi2MoO6) nanoparticles has enabled the production of novel Bi2MoO6‐incorporated cellulose acetate (CA) membrane nanocomposite. The synthesized Bi2MoO6/CA nanocomposites are thoroughly examined for their structural, morphological, and photocatalytic characteristics using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. The photocatalytic properties are determined by evaluating the degradation of Malachite Green (MG) and Rose Bengal (RB) by the nanocomposite membranes under the illumination of a UV light simulator. Notably, the Bi2MoO6/CA nanocomposite membrane displays exceptional and sustained photocatalytic efficiency (78%) and (84%) in MG and RB dye degradation, respectively. Moreover, the effective loading of the Bi2MoO6 onto the CA membrane enhances electron and hole adsorption while facilitating carrier movement. Furthermore, the stability exhibited by the Bi2MoO6/CA nanocomposite photocatalysts remains impressive even after multiple cycles, demonstrating their durability. This research introduces a cutting‐edge semiconductor‐based hybrid nanocomposite material that proves highly efficient in the photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes, showcasing promising advancements in environmental remediation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitin and chitosan are versatile and valuable biomaterials, with chitosan being abundantly found in the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects, arthropods, and mollusks. The chemical extraction of chitin involves a series of steps, including deproteinization, demineralization, and decolorization. Chitosan is often combined with various polymeric materials, and polymer blending can enhance the mechanical properties of the resulting bioproduct. In this study, composites of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with chitosan (Ch) and cellulose acetate (CA) were successfully fabricated using extrusion and injection molding techniques. The chitosan content, ranging from 0 to 7.5 wt. %, was incorporated into the PLA matrix to assess the impact of filler content on the mechanical and morphological properties of the composites. The chitosan powder was first alkalized and then etherified to obtain modified chitosan, specifically o-carboxymethylated chitosan (O-CMCh). The addition of chitosan led to a reduction in tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, and impact strength. However, the hardness of the composite improved with the inclusion of chitosan. The mesoporous structure of chitosan was characterized using nitrogen adsorption and desorption measurements. Morphological analysis revealed that the composite containing 3.75 wt. % chitosan exhibited significantly less fracture surface compared to other composites. HIGHLIGHTS: Chitosan is obtained from chitin through deacetylation and chemical modification (O-CMCh) is achieved through alkalization followed by etherification. PLA/CMCh-CA composites fabricated through extrusion and injection molding. The tensile strength gradually decreased from 55.09 to 1.3 MPa. The Flexural strength drastically declined from 93.37 to 19.10 MPa. The impact strength decreased with addition of Ch whereas, hardness increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paracetamol is one of the most commonly used painkillers. Its significant production and consumption result in its presence in the environment. For that reason, paracetamol has a negative impact on the organisms living in ecosystems. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective methods to remove paracetamol from sewage. One of the methods is the bioaugmentation of activated sludge with organisms with increased degradation potential in relation to paracetamol. This study determined the effectiveness of paracetamol degradation by activated sludge augmented with a free or immobilised Pseudomonas moorei KB4. To immobilise the strain, innovative capsules made of cellulose acetate were used, the structure of which provides an optimal environment for the development of bacteria. Augmentation with both a free and immobilised strain significantly improves the efficiency of paracetamol biodegradation by activated sludge. Over a period of 30 days, examined systems allowed ten doses of paracetamol decomposition, while the unaugmented system degraded only four. At the same time, using the immobilised strain does not significantly affect the functioning of the activated sludge, which was reflected in the stability of processes such as nitrification. Due to the high stability of the preparation, it can become a valuable tool in wastewater treatment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to explain the consequences of the occurrence of enthalpy–entropy compensation (EEC) and isoequilibrium relationship during slow pyrolysis of cigarette butt filters (CBFs), consisting cellulose acetate (AC) as the main component. By using model-free and model-based kinetic methods and thermodynamic calculations, the complete reaction mechanism and extrathermodynamic issues about investigated process are completely resolved. It was established that compensation phenomenon where isoequilibrium temperature occurs is a consequence of formation of low-entropy molecular structure (cellulose II) and breaking of hydrogen bonds. Consequently, it was concluded that mechanisms which include a formation of low-entropy molecular structure and H-bonds breakage enter the changes in both enthalpy and entropy, which compensate each other. For the cellulose II generation, it was necessary to invest energy which represents use up energy. This "wasted" energy turns into work for creation of cellulose II molecular structures, whereby additional energy was provided from "local" decomposition reactions (which were identified in the established process mechanism) that arise from pyrolysis of starting material. Therefore, it was concluded that for "local reactions", a negative ΔS° value was identified, but for the global process, the entropy change retained a positive value. Considering thermodynamic effects manifested through compensation temperature found below glass transition temperature (Tg) in the undercooling conditions, it was concluded that small amounts of plasticizers affect reduction of free volume in the glassy state. Obtained results indicated a decrease in β-relaxation mode of cellulose acetate by an abatement of the polymer free volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium ion conducting membrane has been prepared based on cellulose acetate and LiCl using the solution casting method. Amorphous/crystalline nature of the prepared membranes are analyzed using X-ray diffraction. The surface of the prepared membrane is analyzed using SEM. Complexation of cellulose acetate and LiCl is confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The ionic conductivity of the examined membranes is determined through AC impedance measurement. The membrane, comprising 1 g cellulose acetate with 0.8 weight% (wt%) of LiCl, exhibits the highest Li-ion conductivity of 7.1 × 10−3 S cm−1 among all prepared membranes. Thermal stability of the prepared membranes is analyzed using Differential scanning calorimetry and Thermogravimetric analysis. The electrochemical stability of the highest Li-ion conducting membrane has been analyzed using Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and the potential window was found to be 1.76 V. Using the highest Li-ion conducting membrane, the primary Li-ion conducting battery and coin cell is constructed. Primary Li-ion conducting battery shows an Open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.8 V and its performance has been studied using various loads. The stability of the coin cell is analyzed using the Galvanostatic charge-discharge. The performance of the highest Li-ion conducting membrane as an electrolyte in an electrochemical storage device is analyzed in the present work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting circulating tumor cells has exhibited great significance in treating cancers since its concentration is an index strongly associated with the development and transfer of the tumor. However, the present commercial method for CTC detection is still expensive, because special antibodies and complicated devices must be used for cell separation and imaging. Hence, it is quite necessary to apply alternative materials and methods to decrease the cost of CTC detection. In this article, we coated a cellulose acetate membrane with nanoparticles formed by the polymerization of melamine and furfural, creating a surface with nanoscale roughness for the highly efficient capture of the sparse CTCs in a blood sample. Subsequently, the CTCs on the surface can be quantitatively detected by colorimetry with the aid of a COF-based nanozyme. The detection limit (LOD) can be as low as 3 cells/mL, which is the lowest LOD among the colorimetric methods to our knowledge. Considering the low cost of fabricating the membrane for CTC capture and the robustness of nanozymes compared with natural enzymes, this CTC detection approach displays great potential to decrease the financial burden of commercial CTC detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last years, the potential of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) as fillers in polymers for mechanical reinforcement and extending the operation lifespan of materials is highlighted. Here, we investigate the inclusion of CNCs and CNFs with two distinct functional groups (TEMPO-oxidized, or solely having hydroxyl groups) as nanofillers into cellulose acetate films. Solution blow spinning has been utilized as a novel approach to fabricate composite materials from renewable carbon feedstocks, and the resulting structural, morphological and mechanical properties were evaluated. A maximum concentration of 5 wt% was found for CNCs while this was lower for CNFs, 2.5 wt%, to achieve uninterrupted processing of composite materials via SBS. All-cellulose composites showed differences in morphological features depending on the nanofiller type. Interestingly, a low loading of CNCs (1.5 wt%) increases the strength at break by 30%, while the inclusion of CNFs in a same amount deteriorates the mechanical properties. However, further increase to 2.5 wt% CNFs provides enhanced tensile strength and elastic modulus values. The largest improvements in elongation at break and strength at break is achieved with the inclusion of 2.5 wt% TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils. Microscopic analysis after fracture reveals coral-like structured films, providing a unique mechanical behavior. Overall, the results point out that TEMPO-oxidized CNFs are efficient reinforcements to fabricate renewable carbon-containing composite materials with improved mechanical performance. The proposed SBS processing offers a unique advantage in the fabrication of highly flexible cellulose-based films, eliminating the need for plasticizers or additional additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose acetate (CA) is a semi-synthetic and biodegradable polymer that represents a fair alternative as a structural material for fused filament fabrication (FFF). With very few studies on the subject, the present work aims to broaden and deepen the understanding of FFF of CA with a degree of substitution of 1.7. A fine characterisation of the microstructure and mechanical properties of printed parts and the investigation of the effect of water on this hydrophilic polymer were pursued. Highly dense plasticised CA specimens with a porosity lower than 2% were successfully manufactured. Geometrical discrepancies between the designed and fabricated parts, together with the surface rugosity, inherent from this 3D printing technique, were carefully studied by X-ray microtomography. Ultimately, the printed samples showed no alteration of the intrinsic material's composition, yield strength and tensile modulus, comforting the potential of FFF of CA-based parts for structural applications. In addition to the geometrical imperfections, the plasticising effect of water on CA was quantified as the elastic and yield properties were significantly decreased after water saturation, evidencing the need to account for the two effects when designing, storing and using FFF CA parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates the properties and waste management potential of cellulose acetate waste, commonly used in cigarette filter production. The goal of the research is to address gaps in the state of the art by assessing compostability and phytotoxicity of acetate waste from cigarettes production, which significantly complement the current research focused on cigarette filters in the form of post-consumer buts. Under investigation was acetate in the form of homogenic, dye-free and non-contaminated tow from the beginning phase of the cigarette's filters production process. The experimental framework adheres to the PN-EN 14045:2005 standard for controlled composting environments. Acute phytotoxicity assessment follows the PHYTOTESTKIT method based on PN-EN 11269-1:2013-06. Results indicate that under controlled conditions, acetate waste achieves a decomposition rate of 75.3% after 84 days. Phytotoxicity testing reveals varying germination rates for different plant species. Across substrates, only 81 out of 210 seeds germinated (39%). Specifically, green cucumber seeds showed no germination, oat seeds had a 29% germination rate (20% for compost with acetate), and cress seeds had a high 90% germination rate for each substrate. Overall, understanding these properties informs sustainable waste management practices, including potential applications in industries like geotextiles, crop mulching mats etc. The results led to the conclusion that additional testing should be perform according to the requirements specific for each industrial usage and to increase the compostability level under laboratory and natural conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer-based membrane separation technology is gaining popularity due to its cost-effectiveness and operational simplicity. Cellulose acetate (CA) stands out as an attractive biobased polymer for membrane applications due to its remarkable mechanical properties and ease of manufacturing. To improve the selectivity of CA-based membranes for carbon dioxide (CO2) separation, the incorporation of polyethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate (PEGMEA), known for its CO2 absorption properties, has emerged as a promising approach for creating high-performance membrane materials with low operating pressure. This study provides insight into the production of PEGMEA-grafted CA membranes via gamma radiation and their performance for CO2/CH4 gas separation. CO2 permeation of the obtained CA-PEGMEA membranes was successfully improved and achieved the desired selectivity for CO2/CH4 separation. A comprehensive study of the membrane properties was conducted, encompassing structural characterization, surface analysis, permeability, selectivity, thermal analysis, and crystallinity, which are essential for understanding and assessing the membrane's performance. This work emphasizes gamma radiation graft polymerization and shows its applicability for high-performance gas separation membrane materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nanoparticles are presently employed in a multitude of applications due to their advantageous features, which encompass simplicity, non-toxicity, affordability, lack of pollutants, and environmentally friendly process. Utilization of Sargassum sp extract for producing nano-copper oxide is environmentally friendly. The study demonstrates the synthesis of nano-copper oxide facilitated by the macroalgae Sargassum sp. and its application in functionalizing cellulose acetate membrane to enhance dye adsorption capacity. The objective of the current study is to assess the properties of the green synthesis product of nano-copper oxide by employing Sargassum sp. macroalgae and its functionalized cellulose acetate membrane for the purpose of dye adsorption. METHODS: The preparation of Sargassum sp. extract involved utilizing quantities of 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 grams, which were subsequently combined with a copper sulphate solution to yield nano-copper oxide. Nano-copper oxide was characterized using ultra violet-visual spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope - energy dispersive spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and fourier transform infrared techniques. Nano-copper oxide was introduced to bacterial acetate produced from pineapple peel waste to make a composite membrane and observed the antibacterial activity against E.coli and S.aureus, and dye adsorption to Methylene Blue, Malachite Green, Metanil Yellow, and Congo Red for 60 minutes contact time. FINDINGS: Nano-copper oxide is successfully synthesized using macroalgae Sargassum sp. proved by wavelength of ultra violet-visual spectroscopy results at 300 nanometer and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis that denotes the presence of copper at 0.93 and 8.04 kilo electron volt. It has been verified that the inclusion of Sargassum sp. has effectively facilitated the production of nano-copper oxide. The findings from X-ray diffraction analysis reveal that the crystallite size of the nano-copper oxide measures approximately 19.5 nanometers. Adding nano-copper oxide as much as 2.0 weight percent into cellulose acetate membrane reduces membrane crystalline index from 88.6 percent to 85.7 percent but gives benefit in increasing the anti-bacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The adsorption capacity is enhanced for Methylene Blue and Malachite Green dyes, whereas it is diminished for Metanil Yellow and Congo Red dyes. CONCLUSION: Sargassum sp. was effectively employed as a reducing agent to synthesize nano-copper oxide, with an optimal concentration of 5.0 grams for achieving green synthesis. The copper metal obtained through green synthesis exhibits a spherical morphology and possesses an average crystallite size of approximately 19.5 nanometers. It has a percentage atomic weight of 60.6 percent. Introducing nano-copper oxide by 2.0 weight percent into bacterial cellulose acetate membrane reduces the crystalline index from 88.6 percent to 85.7 percent. The rise in nano-copper oxide content within the cellulose acetate membrane leads to a proportional increase in the membrane's antibacterial properties. Additionally, the adsorption of cationic dye in cellulose acetate composite is enhanced, while the adsorption of anionic dye is diminished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The coastal area of Jeneponto Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, is heavily impacted by microplastic pollution, which poses a threat to marine organisms such as shellfish and fish. This aim of this study was to identify the presence of microplastic polymers, including vinylidene chloride, polyacetylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polybutylene terephthalate, poly(isobutyl methacrylate), cellulose acetate butyrate, polybutadiene, and polyvinylchloride, in shellfish and fish in the coastal area of Jeneponto district, Indonesia. METHODS: In total, 60 shellfish and fish samples were collected directly from 12 locations in the coastal waters of Jeneponto Regency. Sample preparation, including enzymatic digestion and mechanical destruction, was performed to separate the organic tissues of fish and shellfish into small particles. Optical microscopy (at 100x and 400x magnification) was used to observe the morphology and to count the number of particles per sample volume using a modified Neubeuer Improved Counting Chamber. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to determine the type of polymer. FINDINGS: Feather clams contained the highest number of microplastics, with a total of 58 items ranging from 0.027 to 4.587 millimeters in size. The total abundance of microplastics in feather clams ranged from 0.25 to 2.14 items per gram. Kurisi fish contained 22 items ranging from 0.085 to 2.127 millimeters in size, with a total abundance ranging from 0.01 to 0.08 items per gram. The types of polymers identified in the fish and clams included vinylidene chloride, polyacetylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polybutylene terephthalate, poly(isobutyl methacrylate), cellulose acetate butyrate, polybutadiene, and polyvinyl chloride. Vinylidene chloride was the predominant type of microplastic polymer, accounting for 42 percent of all microplastic polymers. CONCLUSION: This study successfully identified eight types of microplastic polymers found in shellfish and fish in the coastal area of Jeneponto; the most common was vinylidene chloride. These findings indicate that marine organisms and humans are exposed to microplastics, which are potentially harmful, but further research is needed to understand the full extent of the associated environmental health impacts and risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, cellulose derivatives were extracted from the plant Astragalus gombo. This research sought to create a new cellulose acetate source derived from Astragalus gombo. Preliminary treatment, acetylation, hydrolysis, and precipitation, followed by purification, comprised the five processes involved in producing cellulose acetate. This arrives after several steps of cellulose extraction carried out earlier with an extremely high purity level. Scanner electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to study and find out more about cellulose acetate. Its Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectrum showed that acetate groups replaced practically all hydroxyl (O–H) groups; also, the analysis showed the carbonyl (C = O) group at 1738 cm−1 and the (C-O) group at 1217 cm−1 region. The morphology of the obtained cellulose acetate consisted of cylindrical fibers and a perforated layer. The thermal analysis showed that cellulose acetate from Astragalus gombo possessed thermal properties compared to other studies. These findings demonstrated that Astragalus gombo could be successfully exploited in extracting cellulose acetate and substantiated its status as an innovative, environmentally friendly source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Converting agricultural waste into an effectual adsorbent material for removing organic pollutants without creating secondary pollution has received considerable attention. Herein, a green approach was employed to construct eco-friendly composite beads with ease-separation and reusability features for the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye. The treated banana pseudo-stem fibers (BFs) were functionalized using iminodiacetic acid (IDA) and impregnated into cellulose acetate beads. The developed IDA-BFs@CA composite beads were analyzed by FTIR, TGA, SEM, XRD, UV-Vis, photoluminescence, BET, XPS, and zeta potential characterization tools. The composite beads demonstrated a porous structure; negatively charged surface (−27.4 mV) and acceptable surface area reached 38.29 m2/g with a pore volume of 0.097 cm3/g. In addition, the removal (%) was greatly improved and reached a maximal value of 85% using CA:IDA-BFs (1:3) blend ratio compared to 60% using CA:IDA-BFs (1:3) ratio. The isotherms study pointed out that the adsorption of MB dye unveiled a favorable correlation with the Langmuir model (R2 = 0.987) with a maximum adsorption capacity of 124.3 mg/g at 25 °C, while adsorption data followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamically, the adsorption process was endothermic, random, and spontaneous. The removal mechanism involves both physical and chemical adsorption such as electrostatic interactions, H-bonding, and pore filling. Besides, the reusability study implied that the developed beads reserved admirable adsorption properties with a maximal removal efficiency exceeding 79% after six sequential cycles, emphasizing its potential for removing cationic dye from industrial wastewater bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The New Journal of Chemistry, published by The Royal Society of Chemistry and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, features a variety of papers on different topics in chemistry. The contents list includes papers on antimicrobial peptides, reduction of nitrophenols, supramolecular assembly, synthesis of heterometallic complexes, and the production of collagen-blended nanofiber matrices. Other topics covered in the journal include high entropy alloys, photophysical properties of helicenes, hydrated halogenides, combating multidrug-resistant bacteria, asymmetric synthesis, glucose oxidase intercalation, nanoplatforms for anti-tumor therapy, catalytic degradation of nerve agent simulants, and biological evaluation of novel compounds. The document also includes a correction for a previous paper on a zinc-porphyrin-peptide conjugate. [Extracted from the article]

A new pyrenylbenzylidene–malononitrile (P2) was successfully synthesized via the Suzuki coupling reaction and Knoevenagel condensation using nano Cu as a catalyst. The compound P2 could detect hydrazine in 10% THF–PBS, pH 7.4, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 19.46 nM. Moreover, the P2–CA nanofibrous sheets were fabricated by combining compound P2 and cellulose acetate. The LOD of P2–CA nanofibrous sheets was found to be 0.02% w/v for hydrazine detection. The quantity of hydrazine vapor was recognized and quantified by analyzing fluorescence images acquired with a smartphone camera and a portable blacklight lamp that generates light with a wavelength of 365 nm using the ImageJ application. The concentration range of 0.025–1% w/v was accurately determined by employing ImageJ for fluorescence image analysis. Both compound P2 and P2–CA nanofibrous sheets are selective for hydrazine. Also, the mechanism of compound P2 and hydrazine was studied via1H NMR titration, FT-IR experiments and DFT calculations. In addition, the P2–CA nanofibrous sheet has the ability to detect hydrazine vapor in actual samples collected from the environment. Hence, the compound P2 and P2–CA nanofibrous sheets have significant promise as highly effective sensors for detecting hydrazine in water across many environments and industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics have been found in freshwater systems, and in turn have been detected in freshwater bivalves. However, there is limited research that defines the toxicity of bicroplastics to native freshwater bivalves that have long been imperiled in North America. Our objective was to determine whether a suite of pristine microplastics has an adverse effect on two early life stages of unionid freshwater mussels. Glochidia of Lampsilis fasciola (a Canadian species at risk) and Lampsilis siliquoidea (widespread across Canada) were individually exposed to spheres of polystyrene (6 and 90 μm), polyethylene (28, 90, and 1000 μm), and cellulose acetate (1000 μm), as well as fibers of polyethylene terephthalate (60 μm). After 24 h, there was no significant decrease in glochidia viability in either species. Juvenile L. siliquoidea mussels were also exposed to spheres of polystyrene (6 and 90 μm) and polyethylene (28 μm), and fibers of polyethylene terephthalate (60 μm) in individual 28‐day subchronic tests followed by a 7‐day depuration period. Burial was assessed weekly, and ingestion of each microplastic was compared in nondepurated and depurated mussels. There was no sustained effect on juvenile burial with any microplastic tested. Ingestion of microplastics was concentration dependent, and depuration occurred for all particles and size ranges tested. The results suggest that pristine microplastics were not acutely toxic to the early life stages of these freshwater mussels, but that the energetic costs associated with particle uptake and depuration, which were not measured in our study, may have an impact on fitness that warrants further investigation. In addition, testing with other shapes and polymers of microplastics typically detected in the environment is recommended. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1–12. © 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) has been widely used in various applications due to its flexibility, lightness, and low production cost. However, its massive use in disposable products has raised environmental concerns, prompting the search for more sustainable alternatives. This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties achievable in a composite material utilizing low-density polyethylene (LDPE), potato starch (PS), and cellulose microfibrils (MFCA) at loadings of 0.05%, 0.15%, and 0.30%. Initially, the cellulose acetate microfibrils (MFCA) were produced via an electrospinning process. Subsequently, a dispersive mixture of the aforementioned materials was created through the extrusion and pelletizing process to form pellets. These pellets were then molded by injection molding to produce test specimens in accordance with ASTM D 638, the standard for tensile strength testing. The evaluation of the properties was conducted through mechanical tensile tests (ASTM D638), hardness tests (ASTM D 2240), melt flow index (ASTM D1238), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This study determined the influence of cellulose acetate microfibril loadings below 0.3% as reinforcement within a thermoplastic LDPE matrix. It was demonstrated that these microfibrils, due to their length-to-diameter ratio, contribute to an enhancement in the mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the phase inversion approach is used to synthesize a blended mixed matrix membrane from cellulose acetate polymer and sugarcane bagasse biochar. The experiments were carried out to estimate the extent of chlorpyrifos (CPS) pesticide removal. The results showed that the removal rate was more than 99% in making the filtered water suitable enough for domestic use. The physical and functional characteristics of the membranes, such as permeability, and contact angle were identified. The changes in the membrane characteristics were observed using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction both before and after the experimental trials. Experiments were conducted to assess not only the rejection characteristics of CPS, as a function feed concentration, but also the effect co-ions on the rejection used to analyze the composition both before and after filtration. The effects of initial CPS concentration, biochar loading, and co-ions on the membrane were investigated. The membranes showed contact angles between 70° and 97° and a permeability between 0.25 × 1010 m Pa−1 s−1 and 0.31 × 1010 m Pa−1 s−1. The effective removal of CPS from the contaminated aqueous stream was attributed to a combination of adsorptive uptake and membrane-based separation. CPS was found to get adsorbed onto the membrane matrix through an intraparticle diffusion mechanism along with an irreversible monolayer adsorption. The membrane-solute adsorptive interaction was represented by Langmuir isotherm and intraparticle diffusion models with a maximum adsorption capacity of 192.3 mg g−1. The findings indicated the efficacy of biochar-cellulose acetate mixed matrix membrane for sustainable and eco-friendly treatment of chlorpyrifos contaminated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose‐based solid electrolyte possesses the characteristics of low cost, high strength, and sustainability, and has great potential in the field of solid‐state lithium metal batteries. However, the large hydrogen bonds between cellulose molecules make the molecular chains tightly arranged, and hinder the ion conduction, seriously limiting its further development. Herein, an ion‐conducting molecular grafting strategy is proposed for the fabrication of cellulose acetate quasi‐solid composite electrolyte (CLA‐CN‐LATP QCE) with a superior ionic conductivity of 1.25 × 10−3 S cm−1 at room temperature. Benefited from grafted functional molecules, the assembled symmetrical battery exhibits low polarization voltage and highly stable lithium stripping/plating cycling of more than 1200 h at 0.1 mA cm−2 current density. Moreover, it endows LFP|CLA‐CN‐LATP QCE|Li battery with excellent long‐cycle stability of 1500 cycles at 0.5 C and 25 °C and superior capacity retention of 92.1%. Importantly, this work provides an effective strategy for further opening the ion transport channel between cellulose molecular chains and improving the interface properties of electrolytes and electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three types of synthetic coal-derived adsorbents were characterized as potential enhanced structurers during the removal of chlorpyrifos pesticide. The raw coal (CA) was activated into porous graphitic carbon (AC), and both CA and AC were blended with polyaniline polymers (PANI/CA and PANI/AC) forming two advanced composites. The adsorption performances of the modified structures in comparison with CA were evaluated based on both the steric and energetic parameters of the applied advanced isotherm model (the monolayer model of one energy). The uptake performances reflected higher capacities for the PANI hybridized form (235.8 mg/g (PANI/CA) and 309.75 mg/g (PANI/AC) as compared to AC (156.9 mg/g) and raw coal (135.8 mg/g). This signifies the impact of activation step and PANI blending on the surface and textural properties of coal. The steric investigation determined the saturation of the coal surface with extra active sites after the activation step (Nm(AC) = 62.05 mg/g) and the PANI integration (Nm(PANI/CA) = 113.5 mg/g and Nm(PANI/AC) = 169.7 mg/g) as compared to raw coal (Nm(CA) = 39.6 mg/g). This illustrated the reported uptake efficiencies of the modified samples, which can be attributed to the enhancement in the surface area and the incorporation of additional chemical groups. The results also reflect that each site can be loaded with 3–4 molecules of chlorpyrifos, which are arranged vertically and adsorbed by multi-molecular mechanisms. The energetic studies (< 40 kJ/mol) suggested the physical uptake of pesticide molecules by dipole bonding and hydrogen bonding processes. The thermodynamic functions donate the exothermic properties of 47reactions that occur spontaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new conducting polymer of the cellulose acetate poly acrylonitrile (CAPA)–SiC composite was produced using an in situ oxidative polymerization technique in an aqueous medium. SiC was synthesized from Cinachyrella sp. as a source of carbon and silicon at 1200 °C under an argon atmosphere via a catalytic reduction process. The structure and morphology of the CAPA–SiC composite were characterized using surface area studies (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and surface morphology (SEM & TEM). To protect copper, the produced CAPA–SiC composite was mixed with commercial epoxy paint using a casting technique, and the copper surface was coated with the three components of the CAPA–SiC/epoxy paint mixture. The corrosion inhibition improvement of the CAPA–SiC/paint coating was assessed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy followed by Tafel polarization measurements in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. The corrosion protection ability of the CAPA–SiC/epoxy coating was found to be outstanding at 97.4% when compared to that of a CAPA/paint coating. SEM and XRD were used to illustrate the coating on the copper surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blending modification is used to improve the hemocompatibility of cellulose acetate (CA) dialysis membranes while endowing the CA membrane with endotoxin scavenging and antibacterial capabilities. First, polydopamine (PDA) and polyethylenimine (PEI) are used as negatively charged and positively charged moieties, respectively, together with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to construct mixed charge CNCs (PEI‐PDA@CNCs). Then PEI‐PDA@CNCs is blended with the CA casting solution, and the modified CA dialysis membrane is prepared through a phase inversion process. Through biocompatibility, adsorption, antibacterial, and filtration experiments, various properties of PEI‐PDA@CNCs modified CA membrane (PDCA) are systematically tested. The results show that the PDCA membrane exhibited good blood compatibility and noncytotoxicity. At the same time, the PDCA membrane has antibacterial properties and excellent endotoxin adsorption capacity. Compared with the CA membrane, the clearance rates of PDCA membrane for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli reach 54.0% ± 1.5% and 52.9% ± 5.9% respectively. In the dynamic adsorption experiment, the adsorption capacity of PDCA membrane for endotoxin increases to 2322.1 ± 45.9 EU/g. The research results indicate that PEI‐PDA@CNC‐modified multifunctional CA membrane with endotoxin adsorption and antibacterial properties has potential application prospects in the fields of hemodialysis and blood purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a project to preserve photographic archives in Southeast Asia, the authors sought to develop sustainable solutions with low environmental impact, avoiding air conditioning and using locally available materials. Dry cabinets were tested and implemented to store a glass plate negative collection that was rehoused in envelopes and boxes made locally. The project took just over a year to complete, and two years of monitoring environmental conditions have shown that relative humidity can be stabilized at low levels. However, the dry cabinets are airtight to limit the introduction of moisture and dust, preventing air exchange. In order to avoid the build-up of degradation by-products released by the stored materials, and in particular off-gassing of acetic acid from the cellulose acetate-based photographs, the use of an adsorbent is necessary. To achieve this, a cellulose-based composite with particles of a porous hybrid inorganic/ organic solid, denoted as a metal–organic framework (MOF), at a very high loading over 70% by weight and shaped as a sheet of paper, has been prepared and tested. This special paper maintains acetic acid-free air in the cabinets and also helps to reduce the energy consumption by reducing the need for cool storage. This MOF paper composite traps small carboxylic acids and was found to be an appropriate solution for maintaining clean air in the dry cabinets or any other confined space or enclosure. Additionally, it can also be designed to trap other noxious pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide or formaldehyde, by choosing other MOFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fabrication of membranes for water desalination and wastewater treatment is an important strategy to overcome water quality problems worldwide. Herein, the influence of the presence of the poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM) on the performance of the cellulose acetate (CA) membrane was investigated. Halloysite nanotube (HNT) was functionalized with the third generation of PAMAM dendrimer and incorporated into the CA membrane by phase inversion process to improve the properties of the membrane. The functionalized HNTs and composite membranes were characterized in detail: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle measurements, zeta potential, thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). A dead-end filtration system examined the performance of the incorporated cellulose acetate membrane. Based on the results, the membrane permeability, salt rejection, and antifouling properties were improved due to the addition of hydrophilic HNTs- PAMAM nanocomposite in the membrane casting solution. The loading of 1wt% of HNTs/PAMAM was optimized as filler composition. It showed salt rejection of 91% and 75.6% for sodium sulfate and magnesium chloride respectively along with the maximum porosity (82%), antifouling performance (85%), reversible fouling ratio (45%), and the lowest contact angle (~ 32). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blackcurrant is an anthocyanin-rich berry with proven antioxidant and photoprotective activity and emerging prebiotic potential, widely applied in cosmetic products. Hereby, highly efficient enzyme-assisted extraction of blackcurrant polyphenols was performed, giving extract with very high antioxidant activity. Obtained extract was characterized in terms of anthocyanin composition, incorporated into three different cosmetic formulations and subjected to Franz cell diffusion study. Experimental values obtained using cellulose acetate membrane for all four dominant anthocyanins (delphinidin 3-glucoside, delphinidin 3-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside and cyanidin 3-rutinoside) were successfully fitted with the Korsmeyer–Peppas diffusion model. Calculated effective diffusion coefficients were higher for hydrogel compared to oil-in-water cream gel and oil-in-water emulsion, whereas the highest value was determined for cyanidin 3-rutinoside. On the other hand, after a 72 h long experiment with transdermal skin diffusion model (Strat-M® membrane), no anthocyanins were detected in the receptor fluid, and only 0.5% of the initial quantity from the donor compartment was extracted from the membrane itself after experiment with hydrogel. Present study revealed that hydrogel is a suitable carrier system for the topical delivery of blackcurrant anthocyanins, while dermal and transdermal delivery of these molecules is very limited, which implies its applicability for treatments targeting skin surface (i.e., prebiotic, photoprotective). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and cellulose acetate (CA) blend membrane is developed using the solution casting method for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). The CA addition in PVDF polymer reduces the dense structure of the polymer and creates a porous surface by increasing the amorphous region that is confirmed by surface morphology and crystallinity examination tests. The high glass transition temperature of CA boosts the protection from the melting of PVDF membrane and increases the thermal shrinkage that reduces the probability of a short circuit. PVDF and CA with abundant hydroxyl groups and carboxylic groups enhance the water uptake, also the hydrogen bonding in between them promotes the mechanical strength and develops a tortuous structure that allows protons to pass through them and block the methanol crossover. The 60% PVDF and 40% CA blend membrane shows an ion exchange capacity value of 0.91 and a methanol permeability value of 4.21 × 10–7 cm2 s−1, which is lower than that of the conventional Nafion 117 membrane (19.5 × 10–7 cm2 s−1). A direct methanol fuel cell with this membrane represents a power density value of 16.5 mW cm−2 with a voltage and current density values of 0.178 V and 165 mA cm−2 at 1 M methanol concentration and room temperature. Moreover, it shows a 70% voltage retention after 20 h of testing of the cell at room temperature that is superior to that of the commercial Nafion 117 membrane (48% voltage retention). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Core–shell nanostructures are powerful platforms for the development of novel nanoscale drug delivery systems with sustained drug release profiles. Coaxial electrospinning is facile and convenient for creating medicated core–shell nanostructures with elaborate designs with which the sustained-release behaviors of drug molecules can be intentionally adjusted. With resveratrol (RES) as a model for a poorly water-soluble drug and cellulose acetate (CA) and PVP as polymeric carriers, a brand-new electrospun core–shell nanostructure was fabricated in this study. The guest RES and the host CA molecules were designed to have a reverse gradient distribution within the core–shell nanostructures. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope evaluations verified that these nanofibers had linear morphologies, without beads or spindles, and an obvious core–shell double-chamber structure. The X-ray diffraction patterns and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic results indicated that the involved components were highly compatible and presented in an amorphous molecular distribution state. In vitro dissolution tests verified that the new core–shell structures were able to prevent the initial burst release, extend the continuous-release time period, and reduce the negative tailing-off release effect, thus ensuring a better sustained-release profile than the traditional blended drug-loaded nanofibers. The mechanism underlying the influence of the new core–shell structure with an RES/CA reverse gradient distribution on the behaviors of RES release is proposed. Based on this proof-of-concept demonstration, a series of advanced functional nanomaterials can be similarly developed based on the gradient distributions of functional molecules within electrospun multi-chamber nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solvolysis reaction with ionic liquids is one of the most frequently used methods for producing nanometer-sized cellulose. In this study, the nanocellulose was obtained by reacting microcrystalline cellulose with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EmimOAc). The aim of this research was to determine the influence of various antisolvents used in the regeneration of cellulose after treatment with ionic liquid on its properties. The following antisolvents were used in this research: acetone, acetonitrile, water, ethanol and a mixture of acetone and water in a 1:1 v/v ratio. The nanocellulose was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental analysis (EA). The results show that the antisolvent used to regenerate cellulose after the solvolysis reaction with EmimOAc affects its properties. Water, ethanol and a mixture of acetone and water successfully removed the used ionic liquid from the cellulose structure, while acetone and acetonitrile were unable to completely remove EmimOAc from the cellulosic material. The results of the XRD analysis indicate that there is a correlation between the ionic liquid content in the regenerated cellulose and its degree of crystallinity. Among the tested solvents, water leads to the effective removal of EmimOAc from the cellulose structure, which is additionally characterized by the smallest particle size and non-formation of agglomerates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing production and use of plastics significantly contribute to microplastics (MPs) contamination in the environment. Humans are exposed to MPs primarily through the gastrointestinal route, as these particles are present in beverages and food, e.g., sugar. Effective isolation and identification of MPs from food is essential for their elimination. This study aimed to evaluate factors influencing the isolation of MPs from sucrose solutions to determine optimal conditions for the process. Polyethylene particles were used to test separation methods involving chemical digestion with acids and filtration through membrane filters made of nylon, mixed cellulose ester, and cellulose acetate with pore sizes of 0.8 and 10 µm. The effects of temperature and acid type and its concentration on plastic particles were examined using scanning electron microscopy and µ-Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that increased temperature reduces solution viscosity and sucrose adherence to MPs' particles, while higher acid concentrations accelerate sucrose hydrolysis. The optimal conditions for MPs' isolation were found to be 5% HCl at 70 °C for 5 min, followed by filtration using an efficient membrane system. These conditions ensure a high recovery and fast filtration without altering MPs' surface properties, providing a reliable basis for further analysis of MPs in food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen sulfide is present in active or extinct volcanic areas (mofettas). The habitable premises in these areas are affected by the presence of hydrogen sulfide, which, even in low concentrations, gives off a bad to unbearable smell. If the living spaces considered are closed enclosures, then a system can be designed to reduce the concentration of hydrogen sulfide. This paper presents a membrane-based way to reduce the hydrogen sulfide concentration to acceptable limits using a cellulosic derivative–propylene hollow fiber-based composite membrane module. The cellulosic derivatives considered were: carboxymethyl–cellulose (NaCMC), P1; cellulose acetate (CA), P2; methyl 2–hydroxyethyl–cellulose (MHEC), P3; and hydroxyethyl–cellulose (HEC), P4. In the permeation module, hydrogen sulfide is captured with a solution of cadmium that forms cadmium sulfide, usable as a luminescent substance. The composite membranes were characterized by SEM, EDAX, FTIR, FTIR 2D maps, thermal analysis (TG and DSC), and from the perspective of hydrogen sulfide air removal performance. To determine the process performances, the variables were as follows: the nature of the cellulosic derivative–polypropylene hollow fiber composite membrane, the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the polluted air, the flow rate of polluted air, and the pH of the cadmium nitrate solution. The pertraction efficiency was highest for the sodium carboxymethyl–cellulose (NaCMC)–polypropylene hollow fiber membrane, with a hydrogen sulfide concentration in the polluted air of 20 ppm, a polluted air flow rate (QH2S) of 50 L/min, and a pH of 2 and 4. The hydrogen sulfide flux rates, for membrane P1, fall between 0.25 × 10−7 mol·m2·s−1 for the values of QH2S = 150 L/min, CH2S = 20 ppm, and pH = 2 and 0.67 × 10−7 mol·m−2·s−1 for the values of QH2S = 50 L/min, CH2S = 60 ppm, and pH = 2. The paper proposes a simple air purification system containing hydrogen sulfide, using a module with composite cellulosic derivative–polypropylene hollow fiber membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical modifications of proteins induced by ambient ozone (O 3) and nitrogen oxides (NO x) are of public health concerns due to their potential to trigger respiratory diseases. The laboratory and environmental exposure systems have been widely used to investigate their relevant mechanism in the atmosphere. Using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein, we evaluated the two systems and aimed to reduce the uncertainties of both the reactants and products in the corresponding kinetic study. In the laboratory simulation system, the generated gaseous pollutants showed negligible losses. Ten layers of BSA were coated on the flow tube with protein extraction recovery of 87.4%. For environmental exposure experiment, quartz fiber filter was selected as the upper filter with low gaseous O 3 (8.0%) and NO 2 (1.7%) losses, and cellulose acetate filter was appropriate for the lower filter with protein extraction efficiency of 95.2%. The protein degradation process was observed without the exposure to atmospheric oxidants and contributed to the loss of protein monomer mass fractions, while environmental factors (e.g., molecular oxygen and ultraviolet) may cause greater protein monomer losses. Based on the evaluation, the study exemplarily applied the two systems to protein modification and both showed that O 3 promotes the protein oligomerization and nitration, while increased temperature can accelerate the oligomerization and increased relative humidity can inhibit the nitration in the environmental exposure samples. The developed laboratory and environmental systems are suitable for studying protein modifications formed under different atmospheric conditions. A combination of the two will further reveal the actual mechanism of protein modifications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is focused on the synthesis of zero-valent iron/cellulose acetate (Fe0-x/CA) membranes by phase inversion route for the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). The generated •OH and SO4•− effectively degraded methylene blue (MB) dye in water to give comparatively non-toxic byproducts. The SEM investigations revealed that Fe0 nanoparticles are evenly dispersed into the CA membrane resulting in decline of agglomeration and enhancing the roughness of the composite surface. Moreover, the catalytic degradation of MB demonstrated that M5-alone showed 85% and was further boosted to 97% when coupled with PMS (M5/HSO5−). The catalytic degradation of degradation of MB by M5/HSO5− membrane system in acidic, neutral, and basic media indicated that the degradation was 99.5%, 98.0%, 97.0%, 86.0% and 70.0% when the pH of the medium was 3, 5, 7, and 11, respectively. Furthermore, the degradation performance of M5/HSO5− membrane system was evaluated in de-ionized water (DIW), tape water (TPW) and industrial wastewater (IWW) and the results indicated that MB catalytic degradation was in the order of DIW (97%) > TPW (84%) > IWW (68%). Besides, various parameters like water flux permeability, contact angle, porosity, and fouling performance were also investigated. In addition, the degradation products were evaluated, and the degradation pathways were proposed accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among various nano-forms, carbon being explored as electrode materials for supercapacitor, carbon aerogels (CA) manifest several excellent features owing to their 3D interconnected mesoporous structure, high surface area and good electrical conductivity. With an objective for further enhancement of its efficacy, CA doped with nitrogen was synthesized using solvo-thermal gelation of resorcinol, melamine and furfuraldehyde in isopropyl alcohol medium at 130°C and ~20 bar. Based on the earlier detailed investigation, ~10.6 at.% of nitrogen-doped CA (N–CA) that exhibits the highest specific surface area and mesopore surface area was used for the fabrication of supercapacitor. Further, synergetic effect of the improved wettability due to inclusion of heterogeneous species, increased conductivity due to incorporation of graphitic nitrogen and high content of pseudocapacitive pyridinic as well as pyrrolic nitrogen in the carbon network, resulted high specific capacitance of ~218 F g−1. The N–CA-based supercapacitor (SC) module was fabricated with 18S-2P cell configuration with cell capacitance of ~450 F. Using international testing standards IEC/EN 62391, overall capacitance of ~61.8 F at 12.5 V operation containing total energy storage of ~4.5 kJ with low equivalent series resistance (ESR) of ~5.5 mΩ was achieved for the fabricated SC module. These parameters are comparable to the similar module of Maxwell Inc. The module has been demonstrated for cranking a car engine of 998 cc and a current of ~208 A was drawn at the time of ignition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing biomass waste as a potential resource for cellulose production holds promise in mitigating environmental consequences. The current study aims to utilize pineapple biowaste extract in producing bacterial cellulose acetate-based membranes with magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4 nanoparticles) through the fermentation and esterification process and explore its characteristics. The bacterial cellulose fibrillation used a high-pressure homogenization procedure, and membranes were developed incorporating 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 wt.% of Fe3O4 nanoparticles as magnetic nanoparticle for functionalization. The membrane characteristics were measured in terms of Scanning Electron Microscope, X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared, Vibrating Sample Magnetometer, antibacterial activity, bacterial adhesion and dye adsorption studies. The results indicated that the surface morphology of membrane changes where the bacterial cellulose acetate surface looks rougher. The crystallinity index of membrane increased from 54.34% to 68.33%, and the functional groups analysis revealed that multiple peak shifts indicated alterations in membrane functional groups. Moreover, adding Fe3O4-NPs into membrane exhibits paramagnetic behavior, increases tensile strength to 73%, enhances activity against E. coli and S. aureus, and is successful in removing bacteria from wastewater of the river to 67.4% and increases adsorption for anionic dyes like Congo Red and Acid Orange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban heat islands (UHI) are a growing issue due to urbanization, causing citizens to suffer from the inadequate thermal properties of building materials. Therefore, the need for climate-resistant infrastructure is crucial for quality of life. Phase change materials (PCMs) offer a solution by being incorporated into construction materials for thermoregulation. PCMs store and release heat as latent heat, adjusting temperatures through phase changes. Polymeric phase change fibers (PCFs) are an innovative technology for encapsulating PCMs and preventing leaks. This study produced PCFs via wet-spinning, using commercial cellulose acetate (CA, Mn 50,000) as the sheath and polyethylene glycol (PEG 2000) as the core. The PCFs were cut using a hot-cutting method at three different temperatures and washed with distilled water. Morphological analysis was conducted with a bright-field microscope, and chemical analysis was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) before and after controlled washing. Additionally, the washing baths were analyzed by UV-visible spectroscopy to detect PEG. The PCFs displayed a well-defined core-shell structure. Although some PEG 2000 leakage occurred in unsuccessful cuts, cuts at 50 °C showed sealed ends and less material in the baths, making it viable for civil engineering materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biopolymer composite electrolytes consisting of cellulose acetate and magnesium perchlorate with different weight percent (wt.%) of Zinc Oxide fillers were prepared using the standard solution cast technique. The effect of incorporating various amounts of ZnO fillers in our composite electrolytes was investigated for their electrical and structural properties, and ion transference numbers. The ionic conductivity of 40 wt.% ZnO filler was found to be 8.75× 10−4 S/cm at 30 °C along with a 4.2 V electrochemical stability window. The ion transference number has been found to be 0.97 for CA + 40 wt.% of Mg(ClO4)2 + 40 wt.% with ZnO fillers. Furthermore, the electrochemical performances of the prepared electrolytes have also been investigated. The fabricated cell with this electrolyte shows an enhanced energy and high-power density of 2.78 Wh/Kg and 1000 W/Kg, respectively. An increase in the above-mentioned densities may be attributed to the high ionic conductivity ZnO fillers in the biopolymer matrix. Additionally, it shows 100% capacitance retention along with high coulombic efficiency after the 129th cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]