Surfactant Assisted In Situ Synthesis of Nanofibrillated Cellulose/Polymethylsilsesquioxane Aerogel for Tuning Its Thermal Performance.

Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and polymethylsilsesquioxane (PMSQ) based aerogel are prepared by the sol-gel method. The objective of this work is to study the impact of surfactant and base catalyst on the thermal and mechanical performance of the corresponding aerogel. The rheological premonitory assists in predicting the bulk properties of the aerogel. The chemical structure of the aerogel is studied by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). X-ray microtomographic (XMT) analysis confirms the homogeneous and monolithic structure of the aerogel. The lowest thermal conductivity is achieved as 23.21 mW m-1 K-1 with V-0 and HBF rating through UL-94 test. Thermal performance of aerogels is cross-verified through modeling and simulation in COMSOL multiphysics platform. The mechanical properties of aerogel are evaluated by monolithic compression test in axial and radial compression test up to 90% strain, cyclic compression loading-unloading, and reloading test, flexural test, and dynamic mechanical analysis. The time-temperature analysis has shown around 5 °C temperature difference in the middle of the room after using the aerogel panel at the exposed surface, which assists in the practical application of the synthesized aerogel panel.

Recent advances in hydrophobic nanocellulose aerogels for oil spill applications: A review.

In a rapidly growing world, petroleum is used extensively in various industries, and the extraction, processing, and transportation of petroleum generates large amounts of petroleum-containing wastewater. Conventional oil/water separation methodologies are often ineffective and costly. Nanocellulose-based aerogels (NA) have emerged as a possible solution to this problem. However, hydrophobic modification is required for effective use in oil/water separation. This review on materials commonly used in these processes and outlines the requirements for adsorbent materials and methods for creating unique lipophilic surfaces. New trends in hydrophobization methods for NA are also discussed. Additionally, it includes the development of composite nanocellulose aerogels (CNAs) and cellulose based membrane specially developed for oil/water (o/w) separation considering different separation requirements. This analysis also examines how CNAs have evolved by introducing special properties that facilitate oil collection or make the adsorbent recyclable. We also discuss the difficulties in creating effective NAs for these important applications in a changing society, as well as the difficulties in creating oil recovery equipment for oil spill cleanup.

Insights into thermal degradation kinetics and liquid crystalline behavior of cellulose nanocrystals from the waste of Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea).

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are essential for advancing nanotechnology and modern science. This work used the Cajanus cajan stem, an agricultural waste, as a lignocellulosic mass, which can serve as a supply of CNCs. After extraction from the Cajanus cajan stem, CNCs have been thoroughly characterized. FTIR (Infrared Spectroscopy) and ssNMR (solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) successfully validated eliminating additional components from the waste stem. The ssNMR and XRD (X-ray diffraction) were utilized to compare the crystallinity index. For structural analysis, the XRD of cellulose Iß was simulated to compare with the extracted CNCs. Various mathematical models inferred thermal stability and its degradation kinetics to ensure its high-end applications. Surface analysis established the rod-like shape of the CNCs. Rheological measurements were performed to gauge the liquid crystalline properties of CNC. The anisotropic liquid crystalline CNCs' birefringence proves that the Cajanus cajan stem is a promising resource for making CNCs for cutting-edge applications.

Mechanically durable green aerogel composite based on agricultural lignocellulosic residue for organic liquids/oil sorption.

Various oil spill cleanup sorbents have good hydrophobicity and oil separation efficiency, but their practical use has been limited due to the difficult and costly fabrication procedure. The research aims towards material development using the consumption of lignocellulosic agricultural residue for isolating cellulose nanofiber and its forward use to construct a 3D porous structure. A simple freeze-drying technique was used to assemble low-density porous structure. The biodegradable polylactic acid coating was used to alter the wettability from hydrophilic to hydrophobic and the maximum water contact angle value was around 120°. The prepared coated samples were testified for a series of oil/organic solvents-water mixtures. The sorption capacity was in the range of 28-70 g/g. The prepared aerogels were efficiently reused for at least 10 cycles. Developed material was used in continuous oil-water separation to remove oil from the water's surface. The cost analysis was estimated for scaleup production in the future.

Isolation of cellulose nanocrystals from different waste bio-mass collating their liquid crystal ordering with morphological exploration.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have been recognized as one of the most promising nanofillers in modern science and technology owing to their outstanding characteristics of renewability, biodegradability, excellent mechanical strength, and liquid crystalline behavior. Interestingly, these properties are dependent on their genetic and also on the isolation process. Therefore, this research aimed to unveil how the biological variations of cellulose can influence on the physical properties of the extracted CNCs. A standard optimized extraction process was adopted to isolate the CNCs from different sources. Extracted CNCs were compared through characterization tools, including Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetry Analysis (TGA), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and Polarized Optical Microscopy (POM). Different self-assembly patterns were observed for different CNCs, owing to their biological variations. The resultant nanocrystals displayed variable morphologies such as spherical, rod, and needle shape. The hydrodynamic diameter, crystallinity index, decomposition temperature, liquid crystallinity, and storage modulus were varied. Nanocrystals isolated from non-wood feedstock have shown a higher degree of polymerization of 108.2 and a high Crystllinity Index (C·I.) of 55.1%. The rod-like morphology with the liquid crystalline pattern was obtained at 3 wt% concentration for SCNC.