Cellulose/Biochar Cryogels: A Study of Adsorption Kinetics and Isotherms.

The objective of this work was to characterize and study the behavior of the adsorption process of cellulose/biochar cryogels through isotherm models and adsorption kinetics. The cryogels were produced from a cellulose suspension obtained by mechanical fibrillation of 0.75 and 1.5% w/w unbleached long-fiber cellulose of the Pinus elliotti species. Into this suspension, 5, 10, and 20% w/w (relative to cellulose mass) biochar were added; then, the suspension was frozen and freeze-dried. After this, 2 mL of methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) was deposited on the cryogels. Characterization analyses were performed on the cryogels, including specific mass and porosity and sorption capacity, in addition to the study of adsorption kinetics and isotherms. The cryogels showed a porosity of above 90% and a specific gravity of less than 0.035 g cm-3. The heterogeneous sorption capacity varied according to the concentration of cellulose used, and with the addition of 5% w/w biochar in the cellulose cryogel, the highest sorption capacity was obtained, 73 g g-1 of petroleum and 54 g g-1 of SAE20W50 oil. In the study of adsorption isotherms, the Freundlich model best fitted the process. Therefore, it was concluded that the process of petroleum adsorption by the cellulose cryogel occurs in multiple layers. In addition, the cellulose/biochar cryogel developed in the present work is suitable for use in the adsorption of organic liquids.

Recent studies on modified cellulose/nanocellulose epoxy composites: A systematic review.

Cellulose and its derivatives are widely explored for films and thickening of pharmaceutical solutions, in paints, as reinforcement in composites, among others. This versatility is due to advantages such as renewability, low cost, and environmental friendliness. When used in polymer composites, due to the hydrophilic character of the cellulose, surface chemical modification is highly recommended to improve its compatibility with the polymeric matrix. Hence, this paper presents a systematic review of chemically modified cellulose/epoxy resin composites focusing on the last five years. The investigation followed the PRISMA protocol that delivers a meticulous summary of all available primary research in response to a research question. After including/excluding steps, thirty-six studies were included in the review. The results were presented focusing on thermal, mechanical and dynamic-mechanical properties of the composites. In brief, this methodology helped identifying the main gaps in knowledge in that field.

The influence of silane surface modification on microcrystalline cellulose characteristics.

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) can be a reinforcement in composites, especially after surface modification. In this paper, MCC was modified using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) in the following ratios (MCC/APTES): 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:10). The MCC morphologies did not change with the treatment even though the distribution of APTES over the MCC surface varied. FTIR analysis showed MCC and APTES characteristic peaks for all samples. The crystallinity index (CI) decreased with the APTES ratio. The non-isothermal kinetic degradation by thermogravimetric analysis in different heating rates was studiedin order to evaluate the kinetic triplet: activation energy Ea, exponential factor (A), and reaction order (f(α)). The Ea dependence on conversion degree was not affected, but two degradation steps were observed for all samples. Ratios up to 1:4 suggested two consecutive autocatalytic degradation mechanisms. The 1:5 and 1:10 ratios caused a change in the most probable degradation mechanism for nucleation followed by autocatalytic degradation mechanism.

Nanofibrillated cellulose from tobacco industry wastes.

Tobacco stems waste underwent steam explosion pulping for nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) production. In order to obtain NFC hydrogels, the pulp obtained by steam explosion was bleached and refined in a grinder employing specific energy of up to 5067kWh/t. Eucalyptus kraft pulp was processed under the same conditions to produce NFC hydrogels, later used in order to compare with NFC hydrogels from tobacco stems waste. According to statistical analysis, the optimum tobacco stems pulping condition was obtained with a severity index of log3.0 and active alkali of 16.25%. These conditions allowed obtaining a bleached pulp with Schopper Riegler degree of 46. Electronic microscopy with field emission showed a higher presence of nanofibers in the tobacco stems pulp than in commercial eucalyptus kraft pulp, both after refining. Thermal analysis indicated that tobacco stems pulp degrade at lower temperatures than eucalyptus kraft pulp. FTIR analysis did not indicate chemical bonding differences between the two pulps.

Dynamic-mechanical and thermomechanical properties of cellulose nanofiber/polyester resin composites.

Composites of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) obtained from dry cellulose waste of softwood (Pinus sp.) and hardwood (Eucalyptus sp.) were developed. The fiber properties and the influence of the CNFs in the dynamic-mechanical and thermomechanical properties of the composites were evaluated. CNFs with a diameter of 70-90 nm were obtained. Eucalyptus sp. has higher α-cellulose content than Pinus sp. fibers. The crystallinity of the cellulose pulps decreased after grinding. However, high values were still obtained. The chemical composition of the fibers was not significantly altered by the grinding process. Eucalyptus sp. CNF composites had water absorption close to the neat resin at 1 wt% filler. The dynamic-mechanical properties of Eucalyptus sp. CNFs were slightly increased and the thermal stability was improved.