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To develop special insulating paper is of great significance to promote the service life of transformers. Using molecular simulation to guide the development of special insulating paper can greatly reduce the trial-and-error rate and waste of resources in traditional experiments. The effect of different types of polysilsesquioxane (POSS) on cellulose insulating paper was investigated by using molecular simulation. This paper investigated the thermal stability and mechanical properties and electrical characteristics of caged POSS, semi-caged POSS, and ladder-like POSS doped cellulose insulating paper. The results show that POSS with all types can enhance the performance of cellulose insulating paper, and ladder-like POSS possess the best modification effect. The glass transition temperature was increased by 58 K, and the bulk modulus, shear modulus, and elastic modulus of cellulose insulating paper doped with ladder-like POSS can improve up to 27.07%, 45.67%, and 41.28%, respectively. Meanwhile, the dielectric properties of ladder-like POSS modified insulating paper are also significantly improved. The findings of this paper propose a method for the preparation of ladder-like POSS modified insulating paper, which provides theoretical guidance for the experimental preparation of special insulating paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cellulose fibers that form washi are longer than those of regular paper made from wood pulp. Hence, the mechanical properties of washi can be higher than those of conventional paper. This study evaluated the magnetic, magnetostrictive, and tensile properties of negative magnetostrictive cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) particle dispersed handmade washi (washi−CoFe2O4). The CoFe2O4 additives magnetized the washi, which displayed negative magnetostriction with the fiber direction perpendicular to the magnetic field and in the parallel fiber direction. Concerning the mechanical properties, the washi−CoFe2O4 displayed an elongation of up to 77% after yielding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud) is a versatile plant with potential as a cotton alternative in textiles. Its cellulose content, second only to cotton, requires degumming to remove fiber gum before industrial use. This study scaled up enzymatic degumming to 1 kg of ramie fiber, employing a dual enzyme approach: local Bacillus halodurans CM1 xylanase and commercial pectinase. This was optimized under varying conditions, including temperatures (30, 50, and 70 °C), durations (1, 2, and 3 h), and solid-liquid ratios (SLRs; 1:15, 1:22.5, 1:30), utilizing response surface methodology. Optimal outcomes were achieved at 50 °C and a 1:15 ratio, with a 3-h treatment duration, resulting in the highest reducing sugar yield (5.25 mg/mL) and a 102.03% enhancement in ramie fiber brightness compared to the enzyme-free control. This enzymatic process effectively separated gum from fibers while improving the quality, fineness, and tensile strength of cellulose fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable aerogels possessing flexibility and high strength are appealing for applications in construction, acoustic and thermal insulation. However, their susceptibility to flammability presents a significant challenge. Enhancing the flame retardancy of these aerogels has been a prominent focus of research, with the widespread use of inorganic fillers and layered materials for this purpose. In the current study, our objective is to fabricate cellulose nanofiber aerogels characterized by low density, exceptional flame retardancy, high mechanical properties, and thermal insulation. This is achieved through the cross-linking of melamine and formaldehyde under aqueous conditions using an eco-friendly freeze-drying process, followed by post-curing. The resulting aerogels demonstrate flexibility, effective sound absorption within the mid-frequency range, and outstanding flame retardancy (Limiting Oxygen Index ∼33%) with a non-flammable behaviour. The thermal conductivity of the fabricated melamine formaldehyde-modified cellulose nanofiber (MF-CNF) aerogels was 0.064 ± 0.014 W/m.K. MF-CNF aerogels exhibited a Time to Ignition (TTI) of 489 s, whereas pristine CNF aerogels only have 3 s. This improvement was attributed to the concurrent reductions in both the Peak Heat Release Rate (PHRR) and Fire Growth Rate (FIGRA) of MF-CNF aerogels. The straightforward melamine formaldehyde modification of CNF aerogels enhances their mechanical strength as well as fire resistance. These sustainable multifunctional aerogels hold great potential for a variety of real-life applications in the realm of buildings and its structures for ensuring fire safety and sound insulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rhizomes of the wild turmeric plant are harvested while the aerial part is discarded as waste. The current study aims to extract fibers (WTPF) from the petiole portion of the wild turmeric plant by manual (mechanical) retting using metal comb. The fiber extraction is carried out at two stages: the first extraction yielded long and strong fibers (WTPF-1) ranging in length between 20 and 40 cm and the second extraction from the residual biomass yielded comparatively shorter fibers (WTPF-2) ranging in length between 1 and 5 cm. The extracted fibers are evaluated for physical, chemical, thermal, structural and morphological properties. The diameter of both the fibers is observed to be 20 µm and the tensile strength is 2.17 Mpa. The fibers exhibited significant difference in their properties, say the hemi-cellulose content, elongation at break, density, young's modulus while the cellulose, lignin, wax, pectin, ash and moisture content did not vary much. Based on the properties, the WTPF fiber has potential application in technical textiles field as it could be made into non-wovens and composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactic acid impregnated ground film paper was prepared using the method of lactic acid impregnation of raw paper. The physical properties, chemical composition, crystallinity, thermal stability, surface morphology of the paper, barrier properties, and light transmittance of the lactic acid paper were investigated using FT-IR, XRD, TGA, SEM, water vapor blocking, oxygen blocking, mechanical properties testing, and optical property testing. Results showed that at room temperature (20 °C), when lactic acid concentration was 100 %, reaction time was 48 h, and 100 °C high temperature drying prepared lactic acid paper, it exhibited superior performance: dry strength of 2.83 IkN/m, wet strength of 0.36 kN/m, Cobb value of 4.50 g/m2, tear of 359.42 mN, water vapor barrier of 693.46 g m−2 24 h−1, and oxygen barrier of 933.43 cm3 m−2 24 h−1. Degradation rate reached 22.94 % after two weeks of soil landfill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose is widely distributed in higher plants and constitutes the most abundant natural biopolymer on Earth. Nanocellulose is a cellulose material with nanoscale dimensions, obtained through special processing and treatment. Up to now, nanocellulose has been widely investigated as a biosorbent to absorb various types of pollutants in wastewater due to its excellent properties, such as large specific surface area, antifouling behaviour, high aspect ratio, high heat resistance, excellent mechanical properties, biodegradability and biocompatibility. In addition, nanocellulose can be rationally structured by different recombination techniques such as membranes, sponges, aerogels, hydrogels and microspheres and provide specialised functionality for the adsorption of various types of pollutants from wastewater. This review introduces the basic properties, classification and modification methods of nanocellulose; discusses the preparation strategies of nanocellulose-based recombinant materials (including vacuum/pressurised filtration, sol–gel and electrospinning); reviews research progress in the adsorption of organic dyes and heavy metal Cr, as well as the separation of oil/water using nanocellulose-based recombinant materials; and explores the potential of nanocellulose in treating tannery wastewater. Finally, the problems faced by nanocellulose-based recombinant materials and future prospects are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When nanoporous aerogels with excellent thermal insulation performance are processed into 1D fibers, they have great potential for application in the field of personal thermal management. However, coping with the impact of external forces, especially radial extrusion, and maintaining the macro morphology and microstructure of aerogels during use are remaining issues. To address these challenges, this study proposes a method that uses ultrafine and ultra‐highly entangled bacterial cellulose nanofibers as the basis to achieve high radial elasticity by forming an isomorphic coating of rigid silica on the soft gel skeleton of aerogel fibers. The obtained aerogel fibers can achieve an elastic recovery of 88% over 50 compression cycles under 90% strain, and they can be knotted, woven into textiles, and are washable. This strategy improves the radial compression resistance of aerogel fibers, providing rich possibilities for the development of aerogel fibers with excellent mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) have emerged as promising eco-friendly pre-treatment agents for lignocellulosic biomass, offering considerable advantages for the nanofibrillation process. This study investigates the impact of DESs on cellulose fibers morphology, focusing on solubilization phenomena in the amorphous regions that may facilitate cellulose nanofiber production. The pre-treatment process combining a DES (triethylmethylammonium chloride and imidazole, TEMA:IMD) with microwave (MW) energy was optimized to enhance the solubility of cellulosic fibers. A response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the DES-MW-assisted pre-treatment. Results show that the reaction time and the temperature significantly influence the solubility of cellulosic fibers. The optimized conditions resulted in cellulose fibers with low content of hemicellulose and lignin, high crystallinity index, and improved thermal stability. The effectiveness of DES-MW pre-treatment in producing cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) from native and pre-treated fibers was investigated. Cellulose fibers pre-treated with a DES yielded CNFs with a narrower diameter distribution. Overall, optimized DES-MW pre-treatment offers a promising strategy for the efficient and sustainable extraction of CNFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored rambutan peel (RP) as a sustainable alternative food bioproduct to extract cellulose for application in packaging. The RP was pre-extracted with Soxhlet apparatus and the residual fiber was treated with synergetic enzyme (xylanase-laccase) to produce cellulose. The synergetic enzymatic treatment before sodium chlorite bleaching reduced chemical input by 28% with a high crystallinity index. The study showed RP contains a high amount of lignin (> 30%) followed by α-cellulose of 28.3 ± 0.6% and hemicellulose (>19%). The thermogravimetric analysis showed good thermal properties with the maximum mass loss of 54%-59% occurring between 332 °C to 338 °C. The Soxhlet-assisted enzyme bleached cellulose fibers were combined with gum tragacanth (in the ratio of 1:1) to prepare a foam as an absorbent for meat packaging. The pore distribution in the foam was visualized in 3D by synchrotron radiation X-ray tomography, and the crystallinity by Wide-angle X-ray scattering. The as-prepared foam exhibited weight loss, drip loss and swelling properties similar to that of commercial absorbent after 4 days of meat storage. The enzymatic biorefinery approach is promising for the valorization of rambutan peel and other lignocellulosic biomass. The cellulose demonstrates great potential for application in the food industry as an absorbent for meat packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a growing focus on sustainable building thermal regulation for buildings, cellulose foams have emerged as promising materials due to their low thermal conductivity and biodegradable properties. However, their flammability and hygroscopic nature limit practical applications. This is attributed to the abundant hydroxy groups of cellulose. In this study, a sustainable, simple, and cost-effective method was proposed for the synthesis of multifunctional thermal insulation materials based on cellulose nanofiber composite foam with hydrophobic, flame retardant, and thermally insulating performance. As a result, the cellulose nanofiber composite foam showed a high mechanical modulus (6.3 ± 0.3 MPa), high compression strength (0.78 ± 0.10 MPa), and specific modulus (246.2 ± 34.4 MPa·cm3·g⁻1). The homogeneous three-dimensional (3D) porous network structure of cellulose nanofiber composite foam resulted in outstanding thermal insulation capabilities (LOI values of 60.7 ± 3.2, UL-94 V-0 rating) and low thermal conductivity (36.3 ± 0.8 mW·m⁻1 K⁻1). Furthermore, the incorporation of phytic acid (PA) imparted high flame retardancy, while cellulose nanofiber composite foam modified with 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (POTS) maintained outstanding hydrophobicity (static water contact angle of 145.5° ± 0.2°) even under harsh environmental conditions. In this way, it is believed that cellulose nanofiber composite foam with light weight, high mechanical strength, thermal insulation, high flame retardancy, and hydrophobicity has great potential in thermal insulation materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

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

This study collected sludge samples from the kraft pulp mills of a Brazilian industry and physicochemically characterized them to investigate their biovalorization. The objective was to identify opportunities to produce value-added products, promoting the circular economy and environmentally appropriate destinations. The types of processes and raw materials influence sludge characteristics. The primary sludge was composed mainly of fibers and water, has a slightly alkaline pH, Carbon:Nitrogen (C:N) ratio is high attributed to fibers, and contains calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and organic carbon. The biological sludge was rich in proteins, bacterial cells, and minerals. The analyses revealed functional groups such as hydroxyls and aliphatic methylene, high concentrations of carbon and oxygen, a fibrous and crystalline structure of cellulose in the primary sludge, and dense microparticles in the biological sludge. Thermogravimetry found a mass loss of 11 % and final combustion at 742 °C for the biological sludge. The primary sludge showed a mass loss of 38 % with peaks at 329 and 784 °C, which suggests that the primary sludge could be used as fuel. Potential routes for the use of the primary and biological sludge included its use as agricultural fertilizer, thermal processing, biochar, and production of activated carbon, despite the low calorific values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A flexible, ultrasensitive, and practical SERS chip is presented based on a paper/f-TiO2/Ag structure. The chip enhances the self-assembly of Ag nanoparticles on a cellulose fiber matrix, facilitated by smart functionalized TiO2 nanomaterials (f-TiO2). This design enables superior detection of the hazardous pesticide tricyclazole (TCZ) on crops using an advanced, simple, and efficient analytical method. Despite its straightforward fabrication process via a solvent immersion method, the intrinsic smart surface properties of the TiO2 bridging material - both hydrophilic and hydrophobic - enable the uniform and dense self-assembly of hydrophilic Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on the cellulose fiber paper substrate. This innovative design provides superior sensing efficiency for TCZ molecules with a detection limit reaching 2.1 × 10−9 M, a remarkable improvement compared to Paper/Ag substrates lacking f-TiO2 nanomaterials, which register at 10−5 M. This flexible SERS substrate also exhibits very high reliability as indicated by its excellent reproducibility and repeatability with relative standard deviations (RSD) of only 5.93% and 4.73%, respectively. Characterized by flexibility and a water-attractive yet non-soluble surface, the flexible Paper/f-TiO2/Ag chips offer the convenience of direct immersion into the analytical sample, facilitating seamless target molecule collection while circumventing interference signals. Termed the "dip and dry" technique, its advantages in field analysis are indisputable, boasting in situ deployment, simplicity, and high efficiency, while minimizing interference signals to negligible levels. Through the application of this advanced technique, we have successfully detected TCZ in two high-value crops, ST25 rice and dragon fruit, achieving excellent recovery values ranging from 90 to 128%. This underscores its immense potential in ensuring food quality and safety. As a proof of concept, flexible Paper/f-TiO2/Ag SERS chips, with a simple fabrication process, advanced analytical technique, and superior sensing efficiency, bring SERS one step closer to field applications beyond the laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have focused on the development of bio-based products from sustainable resources using green extraction approaches, especially nanocellulose, an emerging nanoparticle with impressive properties and multiple applications. Despite the various sources of cellulose nanofibers, the search for alternative resources that replace wood, such as Lygeum spartum, a fast-growing Mediterranean plant, is crucial. It has not been previously investigated as a potential source of nanocellulose. This study investigates the extraction of novel cellulose micro/nanofibers from Lygeum spartum using a two-step method, including both alkali and mechanical treatment as post-treatment with ultrasound, as well as homogenization using water and dilute alkali solution as a solvent. To determine the structural properties of CNFs, a series of characterization techniques was applied. A significant correlation was observed between the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results. The FTIR results revealed the elimination of amorphous regions and an increase in the energy of the H-bonding modes, while the XRD results showed that the crystal structure of micro/nanofibers was preserved during the process. In addition, they indicated an increase in the crystallinity index obtained with both methods (deconvolution and Segal). Thermal analysis based on thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed improvement in the thermal properties of the isolated micro/nanofibers. The temperatures of maximum degradation were 335 °C and 347 °C. Morphological analysis using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) showed the formation of fibers along the axis, with rough and porous surfaces. The findings indicate the potential of Lygeum spartum as a source for producing high-quality micro/nanofibers. A future direction of study is to use the cellulose micro/nanofibers as additives in recycled paper and to evaluate the mechanical properties of the paper sheets, as well as investigate their use in smart paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present the synthesis of composite materials comprised of α-cellulose and sugarcane bagasse cellulose fibers grafted with lactic acid and ε-caprolactone. These fibers were incorporated as reinforcements into a PLA matrix by extrusion, producing composite materials with improved mechanical properties. The grafting of lactic acid and ε-caprolactone onto the fibers was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, demonstrating the chemical modification of the fibers. The morphology of the fibers and composites was analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showing that the fibers are encapsulated within the polymeric matrix. This suggests good PLA–fiber interaction for the 90 PLA/10 α-Cel, 90 PLA/10 LAC-g-α-Cel, and 90 PLA/10 ε-CL-g-α-Cel composite materials. The obtained composite materials were tested under tensile loading. Incorporating 10 wt% of LAC-g-FBA-Cel and α-Cel-g-FBA-Cel grafted fibers into the PLA matrix improved the tensile modulus by 28% and 12%, respectively, compared with PLA. The maximum tensile strength values obtained were for composite materials with 10 wt% PLA/α-Cel, LAC-g-α-Cel, and FBA-Cel with 23, 27, and 37% concerning PLA. DSC thermal studies showed a reduction in the glass transition temperature in the composites with grafted fibers. The results suggest better interfacial adhesion between the PLA matrix and both grafted and non-grafted α-cellulose fibers, which contributes to the observed improvements in the mechanical and thermal properties of the composite materials. The results demonstrate that the composites can be produced through extrusion. Once the optimal concentration has been determined, α-cellulose or sugarcane bagasse grafted with lactic acid and ε-caprolactone can be incorporated into the PLA matrix, exhibiting adjustable properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New asphalt mixtures have been improved by using fibers (polypropylene, polyester, asbestos, carbon, glass, nylon, lignin, coconut, sisal, recycled rubber, PET, wood, bamboo, and cellulose), reducing the temperature and compaction energy for their collocation, minimizing the impact on the environment, increasing the tenacity and resistance to cracking of hot mix asphalt (HMA), preventing asphalt drainage in a Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA). Hence, this paper aims to evaluate the influence of the chemical (lignin content, ash, viscosity, degree of polymerization, and elemental analysis), morphological (SEM), spectroscopic (FTIR-ATR and XRD), and calorimetric (ATG and DSC) properties of celluloses from bagasse Agave tequilana Weber var. Azul (ABP), corrugated paperboard (CPB) and commercial cellulose fiber (CC) as Schellenberg drainage (D) inhibitors of the SMA. The ABP was obtained through a chemical process by alkaline cooking, while CPB by a mechanical refining process. The chemical, morphological, spectroscopic, and calorimetric properties were similar among the analyzed celluloses, but CPB and ABP cellulose are excellent alternatives to CC cellulose for inhibiting drainage. However, CPB is the most effective at low concentrations. This is attributed to its morphology, which includes roughness, waviness, filament length, orientation, and diameter, as well as its lignin content and crystallinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Manufacturing the biochar‐derived 2e‐electron oxygen reduction (2e‐ORR) electrocatalyst from sustainable biomass promises a cost‐effective alternative for typical petroleum‐based resources, but still suffers from inferior catalytic activity and low 2e‐ORR selectivity. Here, the study demonstrates a simple and effective strategy for achieving high‐performance sustainable Co‐ZIF‐engineered cellulose electrocatalyst, enabling in situ growth of nanostructured ZIF‐67 particles around the abundant hydrophilic oxygen‐containing micro‐scale cellulose fibers. Through a simple one‐step pyrolysis at 900 °C of the cellulose‐Co‐ZIF substrate, a high‐porosity carbonous the Co‐ZIF‐CC catalyst is obtained that possesses active sites and carbon defects, facilitating 2e‐ORR progress for H2O2 production. By utilizing O2 as reaction gas, it can electrochemically generate H2O2 concentration attaining up to 555.1 mg L−1, outperforming a nearly five‐fold increase compared to that using air, and also showing about maximin thirty times higher compared to exiting biochar‐based 2e‐ORR electrocatalysts from biomass. The proposed cellulose‐Co‐ZIF strategy breakthroughs the next generation of sustainable 2e‐ORR electrocatalysts from renewable bioresources with low‐cost, economic ecology, beyond the wide potential applications for other electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a contents list for the journal CrystEngComm, which focuses on the design and understanding of solid-state and crystalline materials. It includes articles on topics such as the synthesis of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, the structural basis of pharmaceutical solvate crystals, and the synthesis of multicomponent cocrystals and salts. The journal is published by The Royal Society of Chemistry, a leading chemistry community. The document also provides information on other papers and research topics covered in the journal. [Extracted from the article]

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

Practical Application Olive pomace (OP) waste, produced in large quantities, contains significant amounts of cellulose and fibers, making it a valuable resource for developing reinforcing ingredients in biodegradable packaging materials. This study aimed to produce nanofibers from OP using enzymatic hydrolysis with hemicellulases and cellulases, and to incorporate these nanofibers into starch films as a reinforcing agent. Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were prepared by alkaline pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis (with hemicellulases and cellulases) from olive pomace and applied as reinforcement in starch films in concentrations of 0.5%–5% (w/v). The nanofibers were analyzed according to composition, structural, and thermal properties. The nanofibers' suspension presented a cloudy and white color in aqueous suspension, the X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed the increase of crystallinity, and the fibers’ range was no wider than 100 nm (according to Scherer equation). The composition analysis showed the decrease of carbonyl groups of hemicellulose and lignin. The starch films presented a homogenous surface. The solubility from these biodegradable films significantly reduced after the incorporation of CNF, and the nanomaterial's presence improved the degradation temperature (from 310°C to 322°C) and the mechanical resistance because the tension of rupture increased from 3.79 to 6.21 MPa.The utilization of waste from the olive pomace for cellulose nanofiber production holds promise, given the nanofibers’ ability to readily integrate into various materials, including starches used in biodegradable film production. Within these matrices, nanofibers act as structure reinforcers and significantly reduce the solubility of films. Although biodegradable films ensure the shelf life, safety, and quality of food, their properties currently do not match those of traditional petroleum‐based materials at an industrial scale, indicating a need for further enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Of the three types of waste generated in beer processing, brewer's spent grain (BSG) is the most abundant and has a high potential for valorization. In this work, defatted BSG (DB) was subjected to an extraction process with subcritical water at different temperatures to obtain extracts rich in phenols and the cellulosic fractions, which were also purified by using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The results showed that the dry extracts obtained at 170 °C were richer in phenolics (24 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE) g−1 DB), but with lower antioxidant capacity (71 mg DB·mg−1 2,2-diphenyl-1-pikryl-hydrazyl). This extract also showed the highest antibacterial potential against L. innocua (80 mg·mL−1) and E. coli (140 mg·mL−1) than those obtained at lower temperatures. The purification of cellulose from the treated residues, using hydrogen peroxide, revealed that DB is a limited source of cellulose material since the bleached fractions showed low yields (20–25%) and low cellulose purity (42–71%), even after four bleaching cycles (1 h) at pH 12 and 8% H2O2. Despite this, the subcritical water extraction method highlights the potential of a simple process as a technological option to convert underutilized side streams like beer bagasse into added-value, potential ingredients for innovative food and pharmaceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both annual (cotton, flax, hemp, etc.) and perennial (trees and grasses) plants can serve as a source of cellulose for fiber production. In recent years, the perennial herbaceous plant miscanthus has attracted particular interest as a popular industrial plant with enormous potential. This industrial crop, which contains up to 57% cellulose, serves as a raw material in the chemical and biotechnology sectors. This study proposes for the first time the utilization of miscanthus, namely Miscanthus Giganteus "KAMIS", to generate spinning solutions in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide. Miscanthus cellulose's properties were identified using standard methods for determining the constituent composition, including also IR and atomic emission spectroscopy. The dry-jet wet method was used to make fibers from cellulose solutions with an appropriate viscosity/elasticity ratio. The structural characteristics of the fibers were studied using IR and scanning electron microscopy, as well as via X-ray structural analysis. The mechanical and thermal properties of the novel type of hydrated cellulose fibers demonstrated the possibility of producing high-quality fibers from miscanthus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on polymer matrix composites has become increasingly important in both the academic and industrial sectors. The study of polymer-natural fiber composites, known for their eco-friendly properties, has gained significance. Sugarcane bagasse fibers, abundant as discarded agricultural byproducts, offer improved properties such as density, rigidity, strength, and cost-effectiveness, enhancing sustainability. As a result, experiments were performed on cellulose fibers pre-treated from sugarcane bagasse using 5% NaOH solution by simply soaking them for 4–5 h followed by washing with water. Further modifications involved esterification using phthalic anhydride and phthaloyl chloride via steam baths at 90 °C and oxidation using sodium percarbonate with a phase transfer catalyst (Adogen) at 80 °C. These chemically altered cellulose fibers exhibited significant peak changes in the FTIR spectra, a reduced crystallinity index in the XRD pattern, increased thermal stability as evidenced by TGA curve, and improved surface roughness in the SEM analysis. This paper emphasizes successful pretreatment procedures for isolating cellulose fibers from sugarcane bagasse and introduces three chemical treatments for surface functionalization which might find applications in the preparation of biocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

This study investigates the effectiveness of various chemical methods, both ultrasound-assisted and non-assisted, for extracting cellulose from banana pseudostem (BPS) waste, comparing the results with commercial pine and eucalyptus cellulose fibers. Delignification treatments with NaOH (25% and 30%) and H2O2 (8%) were evaluated, applied with both conventional and focused sonication. Ultrasound-assisted methods, particularly with NaOH, achieved cellulose percentages as high as 99.5%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that NaOH treatments significantly increased the cellulose crystallinity index, reaching up to 67.9%, surpassing commercial fibers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that NaOH treatments, especially at 30%, improved fiber morphology and exposure. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that methods using NaOH and focused sonication enhanced the thermal stability of the cellulose. Compared to commercial fibers, some samples obtained with the proposed methods demonstrated higher purity, yield, and thermal stability, highlighting the effectiveness of ultrasound-assisted and NaOH methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the effects of pre-gelation on cellulose dissolved in LiCl/DMAc solutions to enhance the properties of regenerated cellulose materials. This study focuses on characterizing the crystallinity, molecular orientation, and mechanical performance of cellulose fibers and hydrogels prepared with and without pre-gelation treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that crystallinity improvement from 55% in untreated fibers to 59% in fibers pre-gelled for 3 and 7 days, indicating a more ordered arrangement of cellulose chains post-regeneration. Additionally, XRD patterns show improved chain alignment in pre-gelled fibers, as indicated by reduced full width at half the maximum of Azimuthal scans. Mechanical testing demonstrates a 30% increase in tensile strength and a doubling of the compression modulus for pre-gelled fibers compared to untreated fibers. These findings underscore the role of pre-gelation in optimizing cellulose material properties for applications ranging from advanced textiles to biomaterials and sustainable packaging. Future research directions include further exploration of the structural and functional benefits of pre-gelation in cellulose processing and its broader implications in material science and engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

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

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose Na-CMC is derived from cellulose fibers. Knowledge of the behavior of Na-CMC as a charged polysaccharide in solution is important, because most of its biomedical industrial applications utilize its solutions. The main objective of our research described here was to determine the rheological and viscometric properties of polysaccharide solutions of Na-CMC in water (W), as a function of the cutting speed and the polymer concentration. The evolution of reduced dynamic viscosities and the effect of the Gibbs energy of Na-CMC in W were characterized as a function of the temperature (15 °C to 45 °C), and concentration (1 to 10) g/l. We identified three main concentration regimes, corresponding to a dilute regime, a critical regime, and the semi-dilute regime. The thermodynamic parameters of the viscosity also supported the obtained results. Our results show that Na-CMC/W is a promising solvent mixture for use in pharmaceutical and antibacterial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

In this work, composites made of polylactide (PLA) and filled with alkali-pretreated rice husk (RH) were investigated. Composites containing 20, 30, and 40 wt.% of RH were synthesized. It was shown that alkaline treatment, along with the change in crystal lattice, led to an increase in the content of non-crystalline parts and the volume of intercrystalline spaces, and the internal surface of the cellulose fiber increased, which resulted in improved adhesion of the fiber with the matrix. The addition of rice husk to the PLA matrix led to an increase in the flexural modulus, which increased to 2881 MPa for the PLA/RH (80/20 wt.%) and 3034 MPa for the PLA/RH (70/30 wt.%) composites and lowered the peak load stress by approximately 43% for the composite with 20 wt.% RH and 56% for the composite with 30 wt.% RH. The reduction in the degree of PLA crystallinity allows macromolecules to move more freely in amorphous regions, which has a positive effect on increasing the flexibility of materials in general. The optimal formulation is a composite consisting of 30% RH and 70% PLA matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Cellulosic fiber from rice straw provides a sustainable alternative to the environmental menace of the field burning problem. Response surface methodology and artificial neural network were applied in the organosolv pulping process to evaluate the responses of total pulp yield (TPY, %), holocellulose content (HC, %), and Klason lignin (KL, %). The optimum input parameters for these reactions were solvent ratio (formic acid: acetone 8:2), chemical doses (68%), time (269 min), and temperature (106 °C) with a response value of TPY (49.8%), HC (80.35%) and KL (3.85%). Artificial neural networks showed better-optimized results as compared to the response surface methodology. An exceptional fiber separation was observed using SEM analysis, while FT-IR analysis confirmed the significant removal of lignin as per drastic reduction in the absorption band at around 1505 cm−1. The cellulose maximization and lignin reduction in the optimized pulp were also confirmed using EDX, XRD, and TGA analysis. Further, the effects of the addition of cationic starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, and xanthan gum were studied for making fiber composite hand sheets. The surface properties were optimum at the bio-additive doses of 3% (oven-dried) in both cases. However, the strength properties reached the maximum with the addition of 2% bio-additives. Nevertheless, cationic starch showed more suitable bio-additive for hand sheet packaging papers with better surface and strength properties. This study determined the optimum organosolv process parameters at the lab scale and further confirmed the suitability of the developed material for packaging applications with improved strength, surface, and optical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flotation deinking is one of the most widely used techniques for the separation of ink particles from cellulose fibers during the process of paper recycling. It is a complex process influenced by a variety of factors, and is difficult to represent and usually results in models that are inconvenient to implement and/or interpret. In this paper, a comprehensive study of several machine learning methods for the prediction of flotation deinking performance is carried out, including support vector regression, regression tree ensembles (random forests and boosting) and Gaussian process regression. The prediction relies on the development of a limited dataset that assumes representative data samples obtained under a variety of laboratory conditions, including different reagents, pH values and flotation residence times. The results obtained in this paper confirm that the machine learning methods enable the accurate prediction of flotation deinking performance even when the dataset used for training the model is limited, thus enabling the determination of optimal conditions for the paper recycling process, with only minimal costs and effort. Considering the low complexity of the Gaussian process regression compared to the aforementioned ensemble models, it should be emphasized that the Gaussian process regression gave the best performance in estimating fiber recovery (R2 = 97.77%) and a reasonable performance in estimating the toner recovery (R2 = 86.31%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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The discrimination of five subtypes of regenerated cellulose fibers, i.e., viscose, bamboo, lyocell, modal, and cupro, from both men's and women's clothing available on the prevalent apparel market was described. The examinations were conducted using optical microscopy (in transmitted white light and polarized light), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM–EDX), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The microscopic methods revealed characteristic features of the morphological structure of the examined fibers, enabling the identification of differences between the subtypes. As a result, the microscopic methods were found to be the most effective for identifying and distinguishing between the types of examined fibers. Although the FTIR technique did not allow for distinguishing between the fiber subcategories, it contributed to the enlargement of the IR spectra databases for regenerated cellulose fibers. Based on the findings, a general scheme of the procedure for identifying the tested fibers was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Research on polymer matrix composites has become increasingly important in both the academic and industrial sectors. The study of polymer-natural fiber composites, known for their eco-friendly properties, has gained significance. Sugarcane bagasse fibers, abundant as discarded agricultural byproducts, offer improved properties such as density, rigidity, strength, and cost-effectiveness, enhancing sustainability. As a result, experiments were performed on cellulose fibers pre-treated from sugarcane bagasse using 5% NaOH solution by simply soaking them for 4–5 h followed by washing with water. Further modifications involved esterification using phthalic anhydride and phthaloyl chloride via steam baths at 90 °C and oxidation using sodium percarbonate with a phase transfer catalyst (Adogen) at 80 °C. These chemically altered cellulose fibers exhibited significant peak changes in the FTIR spectra, a reduced crystallinity index in the XRD pattern, increased thermal stability as evidenced by TGA curve, and improved surface roughness in the SEM analysis. This paper emphasizes successful pretreatment procedures for isolating cellulose fibers from sugarcane bagasse and introduces three chemical treatments for surface functionalization which might find applications in the preparation of biocomposites.

Abstract Natural polymers are attractive sustainable materials for production of fibers and composite materials. Cotton and flux are traditional plants used to produce textiles with comforting properties while technologies like Viscose, Lyocell and Ioncell-F allowed to extent fiber use into regenerated cellulose from wood. Neither natural nor man-made fibers completely satisfy the needs for cellulose based fabrics boosting development of new approaches to bring more sustainability into the fashion. Technologies like Spinnova are arising based on the spinning of mechanically pretreated cellulose materials with a lower environmental impact though challenged by the fiber quality and strength related to the inconsistency of the mechanical fibers. Nanoscaled cellulose is an excellent solution to improve the consistency of spin fibers, but charges introduced by traditional chemical treatments prevent rebuilding native hydrogen bonding and compromise the mechanical properties especially in wet conditions. We used nanocellulose with low surface charge isolated using reactive eutectic media to spin fibers able to restore the native hydrogen bonding and enable constitutional mechanical strength of cellulose. We performed un-optimized spinning to reveal the intrinsic properties of the fibers and confirmed the preserved strength of wet fibers compliant with the low surface charge enabling further engineering towards cotton-like fabric from wood.