Transparent and flexible cellulose nanocrystal/reduced graphene oxide film for proximity sensing.

The rapid development of touch screens as well as photoelectric sensors has stimulated the fabrication of reliable, convenient, and human-friendly devices. Other than sensors that detect physical touch or are based on pressure sensing, proximity sensors offer controlled sensibility without physical contact. In this work we present a transparent and eco-friendly sensor made through layer-by-layer spraying of modified graphene oxide filled cellulose nanocrystals on lithographic patterns of interdigitated electrodes on polymer substrates, which help to realize the precise location of approaching objects. Stable and reproducible signals generated by keeping the finger in close proximity to the sensor can be controlled by humidity, temperature, and the distance and number of sprayed layers. The chemical modification and reduction of the graphene oxide/cellulose crystal composite and its excellent nanostructure enable the development of proximity sensors with faster response and higher sensitivity, the integration of which resolves nearly all of the technological issues imposed on optoelectronic sensing devices.

Designing flexible energy and memory storage materials using cellulose modified graphene oxide nanocomposites.

The demand for flexible energy storage devices is ever increasing, and several polymer nanocomposites are widely used to fabricate them. Here, we present a cellulose based nanocomposite by incorporating graphene oxide (GO) nanoplatelets modified with hexamethylene diisocyanate grafting agent useful for such versatile applications. The simple method of casting/solvent evaporation is applied to prepare the nanocomposites and GO dispersion in the cellulose matrix was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction studies and scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric and ferroelectric properties of the eco-friendly samples were checked with temperature and voltage variations, which can attribute to flexible energy and memory storage properties. Thus, the cellulose modified GO nanocomposite has turned to be environmentally stable and excellent next generation material for energy storage and electronic devices.

Cellulose long fibers fabricated from cellulose nanofibers and its strong and tough characteristics.

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) with high crystallinity has great mechanical stiffness and strength. However, its length is too short to be used for fibers of environmentally friendly structural composites. This paper presents a fabrication process of cellulose long fiber from CNF suspension by spinning, stretching and drying. Isolation of CNF from the hardwood pulp is done by using (2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-yl) oxidanyl (TEMPO) oxidation. The effect of spinning speed and stretching ratio on mechanical properties of the fabricated fibers are investigated. The modulus of the fabricated fibers increases with the spinning speed as well as the stretching ratio because of the orientation of CNFs. The fabricated long fiber exhibits the maximum tensile modulus of 23.9 GPa with the maximum tensile strength of 383.3 MPa. Moreover, the fabricated long fiber exhibits high strain at break, which indicates high toughness. The results indicate that strong and tough cellulose long fiber can be produced by using ionic crosslinking, controlling spinning speed, stretching and drying.

Calcinated tea and cellulose composite films and its dielectric and lead adsorption properties.

In this paper, calcinated tea and cellulose composite (CTCC) films were fabricated via solution casting method. Chemical structure, morphology, crystallinity and thermal stability of the fabricated films were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of calcinated tea loading on the properties of the prepared CTCC films was studied. The results suggest that the prepared CTCC films show higher mechanical properties, thermal stability and dielectric constant than the neat cellulose film. In addition, the CTCC films adsorb Pb2+ ions and its adsorption performance depends on the calcinated tea content and pH level. The CTCC films are useful for sensors, flexible capacitor as well as lead adsorption applications.