Synthesis and characterization of bagasse cellulose-based quaternary ammonium peroxyphosphotungstate and their catalytic properties for cyclohexene oxidation in the absence of any solvent.

Bagasse cellulose, an industrial waste byproduct of sugar production, was demonstrated to be a viable solid support for a solid-phase ionic oxidation catalyst enabling organic solvent-free aqueous reaction conditions and facile catalyst recovery. Bagasse cellulose-supported quaternary ammonium peroxyphosphotungstate was synthesized from bagasse cellulose-supported quaternary ammonium chloride, phosphotungstic acid, and hydrogen peroxide. The chemical structure of this material was characterized by SEM, XRD, FT-IR, XPS, and 13C NMR, revealing stability of the cellulose matrix to the catalyst loading conditions and effective dispersion of the acicular catalyst crystals throughout the matrix. High catalytic activity of this synthetic complex was demonstrated in the oxidation of cyclohexene to 1,2-cyclohexanediol with hydrogen peroxide in the absence of solvent. Optimized conditions providing trans-1,2-cyclohexanediol with 86.2 % selectivity were 12 wt% catalyst and 4 mL/g 30 % H2O2 (vs. cyclohexene) at 50 °C for 10 h.

Functional polymeric DNA nanostructure-decorated cellulose nanocrystals for targeted and stimuli-responsive drug delivery.

Targeted and stimuli-responsive drug delivery enhances therapeutic efficacy and minimizes undesirable side effects of cancer treatment. Although cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are used as drug carriers because of their robustness, spindle shape, biocompatibility, renewability, and nontoxicity, the lack of programmability and functionality of CNCs-based platforms hampers their application. Thus, high adaptability and the capacity to form dynamic 3D nanostructures of DNA may be advantageous, as they can provide functionalities such as target-specific and stimuli-responsive drug release. Using DNA nanotechnology, the functional polymeric form of DNA nanostructures can be replicated using rolling circle amplification (RCA), and the biologically and physiologically stable DNA nanostructures may overcome the challenges of CNCs. In this study, multifunctional polymeric DNAs produced with RCA were strongly complexed with surface-modified CNCs via electrostatic interactions to form polymeric DNA-decorated CNCs (pDCs). Particle size, polydispersity, zeta potential, and biostability of the nanocomplexes were analyzed. As a proof of concept, the dynamic structural functionalities of DNA nanostructures were verified by observing cancer-targeted intracellular delivery and pH-responsive drug release. pDCs showed anticancer properties without side effects in vitro, owing to their aptamer and i-motif functionalities. In conclusion, pDCs exhibited multifunctional anticancer activities, demonstrating their potential as a promising hybrid nanocomplex platform for targeted cancer therapy.

Interface interactions driven antioxidant properties in olive leaf extract/cellulose nanocrystals/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) biomaterials.

Functional packaging represents a new frontier for research on food packaging materials. In this context, adding antioxidant properties to packaging films is of interest. In this study, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and olive leaf extract (OLE) have been melt-compounded to obtain novel biomaterials suitable for applications which would benefit from the antioxidant activity. The effect of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) on the PBAT/OLE system was investigated, considering the interface interactions between PBAT/OLE and OLE/CNC. The biomaterials' physical and antioxidant properties were characterized. Morphological analysis corroborates the full miscibility between OLE and PBAT and that OLE favours CNC dispersion into the polymer matrix. Tensile tests show a stable plasticizer effect of OLE for a month in line with good interface PBAT/OLE interactions. Simulant food tests indicate a delay of OLE release from the 20 wt% OLE-based materials. Antioxidant activity tests prove the antioxidant effect of OLE depending on the released polyphenols, prolonged in the system at 20 wt% of OLE. Fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrates the nature of the non-covalent PBAT/OLE interphase interactions in π-π stacking bonds. The presence of CNC in the biomaterials leads to strong hydrogen bonding interactions between CNC and OLE, accelerating OLE released from the PBAT matrix.

Folic acid-modified nanocrystalline cellulose for enhanced delivery and anti-cancer effects of crocin.

Crocin is a carotenoid compound in saffron with anti-cancer properties. However, its therapeutic application is limited by its low absorption, bioavailability, and stability, which can be overcome through nanocarrier delivery systems. This study used surface-modified Nano-crystalline cellulose (NCC) to deliver crocin to cancer cells. NCC modified with CTAB were loaded with crocin and then conjugated with folic acid (NCF-CR-NPs). The synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized using FTIR, XRD, DLS, and FESEM. The crystallinity index of NCC was 66.64%, higher than microcrystalline cellulose (61.4%). The crocin loading and encapsulation efficiency in NCF-CR-NPs were evaluated. Toxicity testing by MTT assay showed that NCF-CR-NPs had higher toxicity against various cancer cell lines, including colon cancer HT-29 cells (IC50 ~ 11.6 µg/ml), compared to free crocin. Fluorescent staining, flow cytometry, and molecular analysis confirmed that NCF-CR-NPs induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells by increasing p53 and caspase 8 expression. The antioxidant capacity of NCF-CR-NPs was also evaluated using ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays. NCF-CR-NPs exhibited high free radical scavenging ability, with an IC50 of ~ 46.5 µg/ml for ABTS. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential of NCF-CR-NPs to deliver crocin to cancer cells effectively. The NPs exhibited enhanced anti-cancer and antioxidant activities compared to free crocin, making them a promising nanocarrier system for crocin-based cancer therapy.

A promising eco-sustainable wound dressing based on cellulose extracted from Spartium junceum L. and impregnated with Glycyrrhiza glabra L extract: Design, production and biological properties.

Glycyrrhiza glabra extract is widely known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can improve the wound healing process. The aim of this work was to shorten the time of the healing process by using an eco-sustainable wound dressing based on Spanish broom flexible cellulosic fabric by impregnation with G. glabra extract-loaded ethosomes. Chemical analysis of G. glabra extract was performed by LC-DAD-MS/MS and its encapsulation into ethosomes was obtained using the ethanol injection method. Lipid vesicles were characterized in terms of size, polydispersity index, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, and stability. In vitro release studies, biocompatibility, and scratch test on 3T3 fibroblasts were performed. Moreover, the structure of Spanish broom dressing and its ability to absorb wound exudate was characterized by Synchrotron X-ray phase contrast microtomography (SR-PCmicroCT). Ethosomes showed a good entrapment efficiency, nanometric size, good stability over time and a slow release of polyphenols compared to the free extract, and were not cytotoxic. Lastly, the results revealed that Spanish broom wound dressing loaded with G. glabra ethosomes is able to accelerate wound closure by reducing wound healing time. To sum up, Spanish broom wound dressing could be a potential new green tool for biomedical applications.

Modification and characterization of a novel and fluorine-free cellulose nanofiber with hydrophobic and oleophobic properties.

In this study, a brand-new, easy, and environmentally friendly approach for chemically functionalizing 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl radical (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCNF) to produce modified cellulose nanofiber (octadecylamine-citric acid-CNF) was proposed. Effects of octadecylamine (ODA)/TOCNF mass ratio on the chemical structure, morphology, surface hydrophobicity and oleophobicity were studied. According to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, ODA was successfully grafted onto the TOCNF by simple citric acid (CA) esterification and amidation reactions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that a new rough structure was formed on the ODA-CA-CNF surface. The water contact angle (WCA) and the castor oil contact angle (OCA) of the ODA-CA-CNF reached 139.6° and 130.6°, respectively. The high-grafting-amount ODA-CA-CNF was sprayed onto paper, and the OCA reached 118.4°, which indicated good oil-resistance performance. The low-grafting-amount ODA-CNF was applied in a pH-responsive indicator film, exhibiting a colour change in response to the pH level, which can be applied in smart food packaging. The ODA-CA-CNF with excellent water/oil-resistance properties and fluorine-free properties can replace petrochemical materials and can be used in the fields of fluorine-free oil-proof paper.

A cellulose nanocrystal-based dual response of photonic colors and fluorescence for sensitive benzene gas detection.

Benzene, as a common volatile organic compound, represents serious risk to human health and environment even at low level concentration. There is an urgent concern on visualized, sensitive and real time detection of benzene gases. Herein, by doping Fe3+ and graphene quantum dots (GQDs), a cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) chiral nematic film was designed with dual response of photonic colors and fluorescence to benzene gas. The chiral nematic CNC/Fe/GQDs film could respond to benzene gas changes by reversible motion. Moreover, chiral nematic film also displays reversible responsive to humidity changes. The resulting CNC/Fe/GQDs chiral nematic film showed excellent response performance at benzene gas concentrations of 0-250 mg/m3. The maximal reflection wavelength film red shifted from 576 to 625 nm. Furthermore, structural color of CNC/Fe/GQDs chiral nematic film change at 44 %, 54 %, 76 %, 87 %, and 99 % relative humidity. Interestingly, due to the stability of GQDs to water molecules, CNC/Fe/GQDs chiral nematic film exhibit fluorescence response to benzene gas even in high humidity (RH = 99 %) environment. Besides, we further developed a smartphone-based response network system for quantitively determinization and signal transformation. This work provides a promising routine to realize a new benzene gas response regime and promotes the development of real-time benzene gas detection.

Functionalized nano cellulose double-template imprinted aerogel microsphere for the targeted enrichment of taxanes.

Paclitaxel, a diterpenoid isolated from the bark of Taxus wallichiana var. chinensis (Pilger) Florin, is currently showing significant therapeutic effects against a variety of cancers. Baccatin III (Bac) and 10-Deacetylbaccatin III (10-DAB) are in great demand as important precursors for the synthesis of paclitaxel. This work aims to develop a simple, rapid and highly selective, safe, and non-polluting molecularly imprinted material for 10-DAB and Bac enrichment. In this study, we innovatively prepared molecularly imprinted materials with nanocellulose aerogel microspheres and 2-vinylpyridine (2-VP) as a bifunctional monomer, and 10-DAB and Bac as bis-template molecules. In particular, functionalized nanocellulose dual-template molecularly imprinted aerogel microsphere (FNCAG-DMIM) were successfully synthesized by the bifunctional introduction of functional nanocellulose aerogel microsphere (FNCAG) modified with Polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a carrier and functional monomer, which provided a large number of recognition sites for bimodal molecules. FNCAG-DMIM showed high specificity for 10-DAB and Bac specific assays. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the adsorption capacities of FNCAG-DMIM for 10-DAB and Bac reached 52.27 mg g-1 and 53.81 mg g-1, respectively. In addition, it showed good reliability and practicality in the determination of real samples. The present study extends the research on the synthesis of natural functional monomers by molecularly imprinted materials and opens up new horizons for the targeted isolation of plant compounds by dual-template molecularly imprinted materials.

Inside-out templating: A strategy to decorate helical carbon nanotubes and 2D MoS2 on ethyl cellulose sponge for enhanced oil adsorption and oil/water separation.

Ethyl cellulose (EC)-based composite sponges were developed for oil spillage treatment. The EC sponge surface was decorated with helical carbon nanotubes (HCNTs) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) (1 phr) using the inside-out sugar templating method. The inside surface of a sugar cube was coated with HCNTs and MoS2. After filling the sugar cube pores with EC and the subsequent sugar leaching, the decorating materials presented on the sponge surface. The EC/HCNT/MoS2 sponge had a high level of oil removal based on its adsorption capacity (41.68 g/g), cycled adsorption (∼75-79 %), separation flux efficiency (∼85-95 %), and efficiency in oil/water emulsion separation (92-94 %). The sponge maintained adsorption capacity in acidic, basic, and salty conditions, adsorbed oil under water, and functioned as an oil/water separator in a continuous pump-assisted system. The compressive stress and Young's modulus of the EC sponge increased following its decoration using HCNTs and MoS2. The composite sponge was robust based on cycled compression and was thermally stable up to ∼120 οC. Based on the eco-friendliness of EC, the low loading of HCNTs and MoS2, and sponge versatility, the developed EC/HCNT/MoS2 sponge should be good candidate for use in sustainable oil adsorption and separation applications.

Fabrication of a modified bacterial cellulose with different alkyl chains and its prevention of abdominal adhesion.

Abdominal hernia mesh is a common product which is used for prevention of abdominal adhesion and repairing abdominal wall defect. Currently, designing and preparing a novel bio-mesh material with prevention of adhesion, promoting repair and good biocompatibility simultaneously remain a great bottleneck. In this study, a novel siloxane-modified bacterial cellulose (BC) was designed and fabricated by chemical vapor deposition silylation, then the effects of different alkyl chains length of siloxane on surface properties and cell behaviors were explored. The effect of preventing of abdominal adhesion and repairing abdominal wall defect in rats with the siloxane-modified BC was evaluated. As the grafted alkyl chains become longer, the surface of the siloxane-modified BC can be transformed from super hydrophilic to hydrophobic. In vivo results showed that BC-C16 had good long-term anti-adhesion effect, good tissue adaptability and histocompatibility, which is expected to be used as a new anti-adhesion hernia repair material in clinic.

Preparation of multifunctional and mechanically-reliable smart wood infiltrated with cellulose nanocrystal-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposite.

Multifunctional transparent woods have recently attracted a great interest as efficient products for many applications, such as smart window and smart packaging. Herein, a transparent wood with several desirable properties, including flame-retardant activity, ultraviolet shielding, superhydrophobicity, good roughness, durability and photostability was developed. The current photoluminescent wood showed a remarkable capacity to keep releasing light in the dark for extended durations. Multifunctional transparent wood was prepared by infiltrating a delignified wooden bulk with a combination of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), cellulose nanocrystals, and rare-earth strontium aluminate nanoparticles (RSAN). Cellulose nanocrystals were prepared from microcrystalline cellulose, and used as reinforcement nanofiller to enhance the mechanical strength of the polyvinyl alcohol matrix and a dispersant agent to avoid agglomeration of RSAN. RSAN displayed diameters of 8-16 nm, while cellulose nanocrystals displayed lengths of 75-150 nm and diameters of 5-10 nm. According to photoluminescence spectra and the colorimetric space coordinates reported by the CIE Lab parameters, the transparent wood changed color to bright green when exposed to UV irradiation. For the produced phosphorescent wood surfaces, an absorption band was detected at 365 nm to generate an emission band at 519 nm.

Synergistic sequential oxidative extraction for nanofibrillated cellulose isolated from oil palm empty fruit bunch.

This research presents a comprehensive study of sequential oxidative extraction (SOE) consisting of alkaline and acidic oxidation processes to extract nanocellulose from plant biomass. This proposed process is advantageous as its operation requires a minimum process with mild solvents, and yet successfully isolated high-quality nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) from raw OPEFB. The SOE involved ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH, 2.6 M) and formic acid (HCOOH, 5.3 M) catalyzed by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 3.2 M). This approach was used to efficiently solubilize the lignin and hemicellulose from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) at the temperature of 100°C and 1 h extraction time, which managed to retain fibrous NFC. The extracted solid and liquor at each stage were studied extensively through physiochemical analysis. The finding indicated that approximately 75.3%dwb of hemicellulose, 68.9%dwb of lignin, and 42.0%dwb of extractive were solubilized in the first SOE cycle, while the second SOE cycle resulted in 92.3%dwb, 99.6%dwb and 99.8%dwb of solubilized hemicellulose, lignin, and extractive/ash, respectively. High-quality NFC (75.52%dwb) was obtained for the final extracted solid with 76.4% crystallinity, which is near the crystallinity of standard commercial NFC. The proposed process possesses an effective synergy in producing NFC from raw OPEFB with less cellulose degradation, and most of the degraded hemicellulose and lignin are solubilized in the liquor.

Microbial load reduction in stored raw beef meat using chitosan/starch-based active packaging films incorporated with cellulose nanofibers and cinnamon essential oil.

Food safety is a global concern due to the risk posed by microbial pathogens, toxins and food deterioration. Hence, materials with antibacterial and antioxidant properties have been widely studied for their packaging application to ensure food safety. The current study has been designed to fabricate the chitosan/starch-based film with cinnamon essential oil (CEO) and cellulose nanofibers for active packaging. The nanocomposite films developed in this study were characterized by using UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). The biodegradability, hydrodynamic, mechanical, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the films were also evaluated. From the results, the addition of CEO and cellulose nanofibers was found to enhance the antimicrobial and material properties of the film. FE-SEM analysis has also revealed a rough and porous surface morphology for the developed nanocomposite film. FT-IR analysis further demonstrated the molecular interactions among the various components used for the preparation of the film. The film has also been shown to have antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Furthermore, the film was found to reduce the bacterial load of the stored beef meat when used as a packaging material. The study hence provides valuable insights into the development of chitosan/starch-based films incorporated with CEO and cellulose nanofibers for active food packaging applications. This is due to its excellent antimicrobial and physicochemical properties. Hence, the nanocomposite film developed in the study can be considered to have promising applications in the food packaging industry.

Recent progress of bacterial cellulose-based separator platform for lithium-ion and lithium­sulfur batteries.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has recently attracted a lot of attention as a high-performance, low-cost separator substrate for a variety of lithium-ion (LIBs) and lithium­sulfur batteries (LISs). BC-base can be used in the design and manufacture of separators, mainly because of its unique properties compared to traditional polyethylene/polypropylene separator materials, such as high mechanical properties, high safety, good ionic conductivity, and suitability for a variety of design and manufacturing needs. In this review, we briefly introduce the sources, production methods, and modification strategies of BC, and further describe the preparation methods and properties of BC battery separators for various LIBs and LISs.

In situ biomineralization reinforcing anisotropic nanocellulose scaffolds for guiding the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Nanocellulose (NC) is a promising biopolymer for various biomedical applications owing to its biocompatibility and low toxicity. However, it faces challenges in tissue engineering (TE) applications due to the inconsistency of the microenvironment within the NC-based scaffolds with target tissues, including anisotropy microstructure and biomechanics. To address this challenge, a facile swelling-induced nanofiber alignment and a novel in situ biomineralization reinforcement strategies were developed for the preparation of NC-based scaffolds with tunable anisotropic structure and mechanical strength for guiding the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for potential TE application. The bacterial cellulose (BC) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) based scaffolds with tunable swelling anisotropic index in the range of 10-100 could be prepared by controlling the swelling medium. The in situ biomineralization efficiently reinforced the scaffolds with 2-4 times and 10-20 times modulus increasement for BC and CNFs, respectively. The scaffolds with higher mechanical strength were superior in supporting cell growth and proliferation, suggesting the potential application in TE application. This work demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed strategy in the preparation of scaffolds with mechanical anisotropy to induce cells-directed differentiation for TE applications.

Linear and nonlinear regression modelling of industrial dye adsorption using nanocellulose@chitosan nanocomposite beads.

Nanocellulose@chitosan (nc@ch) composite beads were prepared via coagulation technique for the elimination of malachite green dye from aqueous solution. As malachite green dye is highly used in textile industries for dyeing purpose which after usage shows fatal effects to the ecosystems and human beings also. In this study the formulated nanocellulose@chitosan composite beads were characterized by Particle size analysis (PSA), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were done to evaluate nanoparticles size distribution, morphological behaviour, functional group entities and degree of crystallinity of prepared beads. The nanocomposite beads adsorption performance was investigated for malachite green (MG) dye and BET analysis were also recorded to know about porous behaviour of the nanocomposite beads. Maximum removal of malachite green (MG) dye was found to be 72.0 mg/g for 100 ppm initial dye concentration. For accurate observations linear and non-linear modelling was done to know about the best-fitted adsorption model during the removal mechanism of dye molecules, on evaluating it has been observed that Langmuir isotherm and Freundlich isotherm show best-fitted observation in the case of linear and non-linear isotherm respectively (R2 = 0.96 & R2 = 0.957). In the case of kinetic linear models, the data was well fitted with pseudo-second-order showing chemosorption mechanism (R2 = 0.999), and in the case of non-linear kinetic model pseudo first order showed good fit showing physisorption mechanism during adsorption (R2 = 0.999). The thermodynamic study showed positive values for ΔH° and ΔS° throughout the adsorption process respectively, implying an endothermic behaviour. In view of cost effectiveness, desorption or regeneration study was done and it was showed that after the 5th cycle, the removal tendency had decreased from 48 to 38 % for 20-100 ppm dye solution accordingly. Thus, nanocomposite beads prepared by the coagulation method seem to be a suitable candidate for dye removal from synthetic wastewater and may have potential to be used in small scale textile industries for real wastewater treatment.

Aloesin-loaded chitosan/cellulose-based scaffold promotes skin tissue regeneration.

Skin wound healing and regeneration is very challenging across the world as simple or acute wounds can be transformed into chronic wounds or ulcers due to foreign body invasion, or diseases like diabetes or cancer. The study was designed to develop a novel bioactive scaffold, by loading aloesin to chitosan-coated cellulose scaffold, to cure full-thickness skin wounds. The physiochemical characterization of the scaffold was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) facilitated by energy-dispersive spectrophotometer (EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicated the successful coating of chitosan and aloesin on cellulose without any physical damage. The drug release kinetics confirmed the sustained release of aloesin by showing a cumulative release of up to 88 % over 24 h. The biocompatibility of the aloesin-loaded chitosan/cellulose (AlCsCFp) scaffold was evaluated by the WST-8 assay that confirmed the significantly increased adherence and proliferation of fibroblasts on the AlCsCFp scaffold. The in vivo wound healing study showed that both 0.05 % and 0.025 % AlCsCFp scaffolds have significantly higher wound closure rates (i.e. 88.2 % and 95.6 % approximately) as compared to other groups. This showed that novel composite scaffold has a wound healing ability. Furthermore, histological and gene expression analysis demonstrated that the scaffold also induced cell migration, angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and tissue granulation formation. Thus, it is concluded that the aloesin-loaded chitosan/cellulose-based scaffold has great therapeutic potential for being used in wound healing applications in the clinical setting in the future.

A robust, eco-friendly, and biodegradable cellulose nanofiber composite film for highly effective formaldehyde removal at room temperature.

Formaldehyde (HCHO) poses a significant threat as a common indoor air pollutant, leading to various health issues. However, effectively addressing HCHO removal at room temperature remains a considerable challenge. This paper presents the preparation of a robust, eco-friendly, and biodegradable composite cellulose nanofiber film, incorporating CeO2-Ag@MnO2 catalysts and TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCNF), for high-efficiency HCHO removal at room temperature. A CeO2-Ag@MnO2 ternary catalyst with a core-shell structure was constructed to enhance the catalytic oxidation activity and stability. This structure increased the number of active sites on the catalyst surface and enhanced the interfacial synergistic effect of Ce-Ag-Mn. The TOCNF physically adsorbed HCHO in the composite film, while the catalyst oxidized it to CO2 and water. The composite films, particularly those with 20 wt% CeO2-Ag@MnO2 catalyst, exhibited high HCHO removal rates of 91.2 % at 20 °C and 99.6 % at 60 °C. Furthermore, the TOCNF/20 CAM composite films demonstrated excellent mechanical properties and degradability. This composite film offers an efficient and eco-friendly solution for the catalytic oxidation of HCHO at room temperature.

Evaluating the reinforcing potential of enzymatic cellulose nanocrystals in polypropylene nanocomposite.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) produced through enzymatic hydrolysis exhibit physicochemical properties that make them attractive as eco-friendly reinforcing agents in polymer composites. However, the extent of their efficacy within a polymeric matrix is yet to be fully established. This study investigated the reinforcing capabilities of enzymatic CNC (approximately 3 nm in diameter) isolated from bleached eucalyptus Kraft pulp (BEKP), focusing on its application in polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites produced by injection molding. The study compared the performance of this enzymatic CNC (1-5 % wt) with PP composites reinforced with micro-sized cellulose fibers (BEKP at 10-30 % wt, approximately 13 µm) and additionally with commercial CNC produced by sulfuric acid hydrolysis. Despite enzymatic CNC experiencing agglomeration during spray-drying, leading to an average diameter increase to 3 µm, it still significantly increased the crystallization and glass transition temperature of the PP matrix. However, this agglomeration likely hindered the improvement of the mechanical properties within the nanocomposites. The results also showed that enzymatic CNC provided higher thermal stability at lower reinforcement levels compared to BEKP, but this came with a reduction in stiffness, posing a significant consideration in composite design. The addition of a coupling agent greatly enhanced the dispersion of reinforcements and the interfacial adhesion within the matrix, contributing to the enhanced performance of the composite properties. Additionally, enzymatic CNC demonstrated potential for superior reinforcement efficacy compared to commercially available CNC produced by sulfuric acid hydrolysis. In conclusion, enzymatic CNC exhibited a promising role as nano-reinforcement for thermoplastic polymer nanocomposites, exhibiting higher thermal properties at lower reinforcing loads than traditional micro-sized fiber reinforcements. The absence of sulfur, coupled with its higher thermal stability and sustainable potential, positions enzymatic CNC as a particularly favorable choice for applications involving direct contact with food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical materials.

Synergistically active Fe3O4 magnetic and EDTA modified cellulose cotton fabric using chemical method and their effective pollutants removal ability from wastewater.

A unique combination of cotton fabric (CF) with a mixture of EDTA and APTES Fe3O4 magnetic particles was developed and utilized for the first time as an adsorbent for removing pollutants from wastewater. Initially, Fe3O4 was synthesized using the co-precipitation method. Further, the surface of Fe3O4 was modified by introducing amino functional groups through a reaction with APTES, resulting in Fe3O4-NH2. Following this, the surface of carbon fiber (CF) was altered using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to create CF@EDTA. Through the use of EDC-HCl and NHS, Fe3O4-NH2 was attached to the surface of CF@EDTA, resulting in the final product CF@EDTA/Fe3O4. Subsequently, the prepared CF@EDTA/Fe3O4 was utilized to adsorb metal pollutants from wastewater, with a thorough analysis conducted using various characterization techniques including FTIR, SEM, EDX, XRD, VSM, and XPS to study the materials. The study specifically aimed to assess the adsorption performance of our cotton-based material towards As(III) and Cr3+ metal ions. The pH study was also performed. Results indicated that the material exhibited an adsorption capacity of approximately 714 mg/g for As(III) ions and 708 mg/g for Cr3+ ions. The Langmuir and Freundlich models, as well as pseudo-first and second-order models were also analyzed. The Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models were found to best fit the data. In terms of regeneration and reusability, the materials showed straightforward regeneration and recyclability for up to 15 cycles. The remarkable adsorption capacity, combined with the unique blend of cotton and Fe3O4 magnet, along with its recyclability, positions our material CF@EDTA/Fe3O4 as a promising contender for wastewater treatment and other significant areas in water research.