Materials Science Biomaterials

Advanced Cellulose Research Studies

Description

This cluster of papers focuses on the properties, production, and applications of nanocellulose, including cellulose nanocrystals and bacterial cellulose. It covers topics such as the use of ionic liquids in cellulose dissolution, sustainable biocomposites, TEMPO-mediated oxidation, and the potential biomedical applications of nanocellulose. The research also explores nanocellulose as a sustainable and versatile material for various fields, highlighting its potential in green nanotechnology.

Keywords

Nanocellulose; Cellulose Nanocrystals; Bacterial Cellulose; Ionic Liquids; Biocomposites; Sustainable Materials; Nanofibrils; TEMPO-Mediated Oxidation; Biomedical Applications; Green Nanotechnology

Cellulose is the most abundant biomass material in nature. Extracted from natural fibers, its hierarchical and multi-level organization allows different kinds of nanoscaled cellulosic fillers—called cellulose nanocrystals or microfibrillated cellulose … Cellulose is the most abundant biomass material in nature. Extracted from natural fibers, its hierarchical and multi-level organization allows different kinds of nanoscaled cellulosic fillers—called cellulose nanocrystals or microfibrillated cellulose (MFC)—to be obtained. Recently, such cellulose nanoparticles have been the focus of an exponentially increasing number of works or reviews devoted to understanding such materials and their applications. Major studies over the last decades have shown that cellulose nanoparticles could be used as fillers to improve mechanical and barrier properties of biocomposites. Their use for industrial packaging is being investigated, with continuous studies to find innovative solutions for efficient and sustainable systems. Processing is more and more important and different systems are detailed in this paper depending on the polymer solubility, i.e., (i) hydrosoluble systems, (ii) non-hydrosoluble systems, and (iii) emulsion systems. This paper intends to give a clear overview of cellulose nanoparticles reinforced composites with more than 150 references by describing their preparation, characterization, properties and applications.
ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVReviewNEXTCellulose Nanocrystals: Chemistry, Self-Assembly, and ApplicationsYoussef Habibi†, Lucian A. Lucia*†, and Orlando J. Rojas†‡View Author Information Department of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University, Box 8005, Raleigh, … ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVReviewNEXTCellulose Nanocrystals: Chemistry, Self-Assembly, and ApplicationsYoussef Habibi†, Lucian A. Lucia*†, and Orlando J. Rojas†‡View Author Information Department of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University, Box 8005, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8005, and Department of Forest Products Technology, Faculty of Chemistry and Materials Sciences, Helsinki University of Technology, P.O. Box 3320, FIN-02015 TKK, Espoo, Finland†North Carolina State University.‡Helsinki University of Technology.Cite this: Chem. Rev. 2010, 110, 6, 3479–3500Publication Date (Web):March 4, 2010Publication History Received12 October 2009Published online4 March 2010Published inissue 9 June 2010https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/cr900339whttps://doi.org/10.1021/cr900339wreview-articleACS PublicationsCopyright © 2010 American Chemical SocietyRequest reuse permissionsArticle Views57239Altmetric-Citations4520LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail Other access optionsGet e-Alertsclose SUBJECTS:Cellulose,Hydrolysis,Nanocomposites,Polymers,Suspensions Get e-Alerts
A new and highly efficient direct solvent, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AMIMCl), has been used for the dissolution and regeneration of cellulose. The cellulose samples without any pretreatment were readily dissolved in … A new and highly efficient direct solvent, 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AMIMCl), has been used for the dissolution and regeneration of cellulose. The cellulose samples without any pretreatment were readily dissolved in AMIMCl. The regenerated cellulose materials prepared by coagulation in water exhibited a good mechanical property. Because of its thermostable and nonvolatile nature, AMIMCl was easily recycled. Therefore, a novel and nonpolluting process for the manufacture of regenerated cellulose materials using AMIMCl has been developed in this work.
Nanocelluloses, including nanocrystalline cellulose, nanofibrillated cellulose and bacterial cellulose nanofibers, have become fascinating building blocks for the design of new biomaterials. Derived from the must abundant and renewable biopolymer, they … Nanocelluloses, including nanocrystalline cellulose, nanofibrillated cellulose and bacterial cellulose nanofibers, have become fascinating building blocks for the design of new biomaterials. Derived from the must abundant and renewable biopolymer, they are drawing a tremendous level of attention, which certainly will continue to grow in the future driven by the sustainability trend. This growing interest is related to their unsurpassed quintessential physical and chemical properties. Yet, owing to their hydrophilic nature, their utilization is restricted to applications involving hydrophilic or polar media, which limits their exploitation. With the presence of a large number of chemical functionalities within their structure, these building blocks provide a unique platform for significant surface modification through various chemistries. These chemical modifications are prerequisite, sometimes unavoidable, to adapt the interfacial properties of nanocellulose substrates or adjust their hydrophilic–hydrophobic balance. Therefore, various chemistries have been developed aiming to surface-modify these nano-sized substrates in order to confer to them specific properties, extending therefore their use to highly sophisticated applications. This review collocates current knowledge in the research and development of nanocelluloses and emphasizes more particularly on the chemical modification routes developed so far for their functionalization.
When used as fillers in polymer composites, the thermostability of cellulose crystals is important. Sulfate groups, introduced during hydrolysis with sulfuric acid, are suspected to diminish the thermostability. To elucidate … When used as fillers in polymer composites, the thermostability of cellulose crystals is important. Sulfate groups, introduced during hydrolysis with sulfuric acid, are suspected to diminish the thermostability. To elucidate the relationship between the hydrolysis conditions, the number of sulfate groups introduced, and the thermal degradation behavior of cellulose crystals, bacterial cellulose was hydrolyzed with sulfuric acid under different hydrolysis conditions. The number of sulfate groups in the crystals was determined by potentiometric titration. The thermal degradation behavior was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The sulfate group content increased with acid concentration, acid-to-cellulose ratio, and hydrolysis time. Even at low levels, the sulfate groups caused a significant decrease in degradation temperatures and an increase in char fraction confirming that the sulfate groups act as flame retardants. Profile analysis of the derivative thermogravimetric curves indicated thermal separation of the degradation reactions by the sulfate groups into low- and high-temperature processes. The Broido method was used to determine activation energies for the degradation processes. The activation energies were lower at larger amounts of sulfate groups suggesting a catalytic effect on the degradation reactions. For high thermostability in the crystals, low acid concentrations, small acid-to-cellulose ratios, and short hydrolysis times should be used.
The shape and size distribution of crystalline nanoparticles resulting from the sulfuric acid hydrolysis of cellulose from cotton, Avicel, and tunicate were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic … The shape and size distribution of crystalline nanoparticles resulting from the sulfuric acid hydrolysis of cellulose from cotton, Avicel, and tunicate were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) as well as small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS). Images of negatively stained and cryo-TEM specimens showed that the majority of cellulose particles were flat objects constituted by elementary crystallites whose lateral adhesion was resistant against hydrolysis and sonication treatments. Moreover, tunicin whiskers were described as twisted ribbons with an estimated pitch of 2.4-3.2 microm. Length and width distributions of all samples were generally well described by log-normal functions, with the exception of tunicin, which had less lateral aggregation. AFM observation confirmed that the thickness of the nanocrystals was almost constant for a given origin and corresponded to the crystallite size measured from peak broadening in WAXS spectra. Experimental SAXS profiles were numerically simulated, combining the dimensions and size distribution functions determined by the various techniques.
There are numerous examples where animals or plants synthesize extracellular high-performance skeletal biocomposites consisting of a matrix reinforced by fibrous biopolymers. Cellulose, the world's most abundant natural, renewable, biodegradable polymer, … There are numerous examples where animals or plants synthesize extracellular high-performance skeletal biocomposites consisting of a matrix reinforced by fibrous biopolymers. Cellulose, the world's most abundant natural, renewable, biodegradable polymer, is a classical example of these reinforcing elements, which occur as whiskerlike microfibrils that are biosynthesized and deposited in a continuous fashion. In many cases, this mode of biogenesis leads to crystalline microfibrils that are almost defect-free, with the consequence of axial physical properties approaching those of perfect crystals. This quite "primitive" polymer can be used to create high performance nanocomposites presenting outstanding properties. This reinforcing capability results from the intrinsic chemical nature of cellulose and from its hierarchical structure. Aqueous suspensions of cellulose crystallites can be prepared by acid hydrolysis of cellulose. The object of this treatment is to dissolve away regions of low lateral order so that the water-insoluble, highly crystalline residue may be converted into a stable suspension by subsequent vigorous mechanical shearing action. During the past decade, many works have been devoted to mimic biocomposites by blending cellulose whiskers from different sources with polymer matrixes.
Never-dried and once-dried hardwood celluloses were oxidized by a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-mediated system, and highly crystalline and individualized cellulose nanofibers, dispersed in water, were prepared by mechanical treatment of the … Never-dried and once-dried hardwood celluloses were oxidized by a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-mediated system, and highly crystalline and individualized cellulose nanofibers, dispersed in water, were prepared by mechanical treatment of the oxidized cellulose/water slurries. When carboxylate contents formed from the primary hydroxyl groups of the celluloses reached approximately 1.5 mmol/g, the oxidized cellulose/water slurries were mostly converted to transparent and highly viscous dispersions by mechanical treatment. Transmission electron microscopic observation showed that the dispersions consisted of individualized cellulose nanofibers 3−4 nm in width and a few microns in length. No intrinsic differences between never-dried and once-dried celluloses were found for preparing the dispersion, as long as carboxylate contents in the TEMPO-oxidized celluloses reached approximately 1.5 mmol/g. Changes in viscosity of the dispersions during the mechanical treatment corresponded with those in the dispersed states of the cellulose nanofibers in water.
The crystal and molecular structure together with the hydrogen-bonding system in cellulose Ibeta has been determined using synchrotron and neutron diffraction data recorded from oriented fibrous samples prepared by aligning … The crystal and molecular structure together with the hydrogen-bonding system in cellulose Ibeta has been determined using synchrotron and neutron diffraction data recorded from oriented fibrous samples prepared by aligning cellulose microcrystals from tunicin. These samples diffracted both synchrotron X-rays and neutrons to better than 1A resolution (>300 unique reflections; P2(1)). The X-ray data were used to determine the C and O atom positions. The resulting structure consisted of two parallel chains having slightly different conformations and organized in sheets packed in a "parallel-up" fashion, with all hydroxymethyl groups adopting the tg conformation. The positions of hydrogen atoms involved in hydrogen-bonding were determined from a Fourier-difference analysis using neutron diffraction data collected from hydrogenated and deuterated samples. The hydrogen atoms involved in the intramolecular O3...O5 hydrogen bonds have well-defined positions, whereas those corresponding to O2 and O6 covered a wider volume, indicative of multiple geometry with partial occupation. The observation of this disorder substantiates a recent infrared analysis and indicates that, despite their high crystallinity, crystals of cellulose Ibeta have an inherent disorganization of the intermolecular H-bond network that maintains the cellulose chains in sheets.
Sulfuric acid hydrolysis of native cellulose fibers produces stable suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals. Above a critical concentration, the suspensions spontaneously form an anisotropic chiral nematic liquid crystal phase. We have … Sulfuric acid hydrolysis of native cellulose fibers produces stable suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals. Above a critical concentration, the suspensions spontaneously form an anisotropic chiral nematic liquid crystal phase. We have examined the effect of reaction time and acid-to-pulp ratio on nanocrystal and suspension properties for hydrolyzed black spruce acid sulfite pulp. Longer hydrolysis times produced shorter, less polydisperse black spruce cellulose nanocrystals and slightly increased the critical concentration for anisotropic phase formation. Increased acid-to-pulp ratio reduced the dimensions of the nanocrystals thus produced; the critical concentration was increased and the biphasic range became narrower. A suspension made from a bleached kraft eucalyptus pulp gave very similar properties to the softwood nanocrystal suspension when prepared under similar hydrolysis conditions.
Cellulose nanofibrils offer interesting potential as a native fibrous constituent of mechanical performance exceeding the plant fibers in current use for commercial products. In the present study, wood nanofibrils are … Cellulose nanofibrils offer interesting potential as a native fibrous constituent of mechanical performance exceeding the plant fibers in current use for commercial products. In the present study, wood nanofibrils are used to prepare porous cellulose nanopaper of remarkably high toughness. Nanopapers of different porosities and from nanofibrils of different molar mass are prepared. Uniaxial tensile tests are performed and structure-property relationships are discussed. The high toughness of highly porous nanopaper is related to the nanofibrillar network structure and high mechanical nanofibril performance. Also, molar mass correlates with tensile strength. This indicates that nanofibril fracture controls ultimate strength. Furthermore, the large strain-to-failure means that mechanisms, such as interfibril slippage, also contributes to inelastic deformation in addition to deformation of the nanofibrils themselves.
Toward exploiting the attractive mechanical properties of cellulose I nanoelements, a novel route is demonstrated, which combines enzymatic hydrolysis and mechanical shearing. Previously, an aggressive acid hydrolysis and sonication of … Toward exploiting the attractive mechanical properties of cellulose I nanoelements, a novel route is demonstrated, which combines enzymatic hydrolysis and mechanical shearing. Previously, an aggressive acid hydrolysis and sonication of cellulose I containing fibers was shown to lead to a network of weakly hydrogen-bonded rodlike cellulose elements typically with a low aspect ratio. On the other hand, high mechanical shearing resulted in longer and entangled nanoscale cellulose elements leading to stronger networks and gels. Nevertheless, a widespread use of the latter concept has been hindered because of lack of feasible methods of preparation, suggesting a combination of mild hydrolysis and shearing to disintegrate cellulose I containing fibers into high aspect ratio cellulose I nanoscale elements. In this work, mild enzymatic hydrolysis has been introduced and combined with mechanical shearing and a high-pressure homogenization, leading to a controlled fibrillation down to nanoscale and a network of long and highly entangled cellulose I elements. The resulting strong aqueous gels exhibit more than 5 orders of magnitude tunable storage modulus G' upon changing the concentration. Cryotransmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and cross-polarization/magic-angle spinning (CP/MAS) 13C NMR suggest that the cellulose I structural elements obtained are dominated by two fractions, one with lateral dimension of 5−6 nm and one with lateral dimensions of about 10−20 nm. The thicker diameter regions may act as the junction zones for the networks. The resulting material will herein be referred to as MFC (microfibrillated cellulose). Dynamical rheology showed that the aqueous suspensions behaved as gels in the whole investigated concentration range 0.125−5.9% w/w, G' ranging from 1.5 Pa to 105 Pa. The maximum G' was high, about 2 orders of magnitude larger than typically observed for the corresponding nonentangled low aspect ratio cellulose I gels, and G' scales with concentration with the power of approximately three. The described preparation method of MFC allows control over the final properties that opens novel applications in materials science, for example, as reinforcement in composites and as templates for surface modification.
ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVReviewNEXTIonic Liquids and Their Interaction with CelluloseAndré Pinkert†, Kenneth N. Marsh*†, Shusheng Pang†, and Mark P. Staiger‡View Author Information Department of Chemical and Process Engineering and Department … ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVReviewNEXTIonic Liquids and Their Interaction with CelluloseAndré Pinkert†, Kenneth N. Marsh*†, Shusheng Pang†, and Mark P. Staiger‡View Author Information Department of Chemical and Process Engineering and Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel.: +64 3364 2140. Fax: +64 3364 2063.†Department of Chemical and Process Engineering.‡Department of Mechanical Engineering.Cite this: Chem. Rev. 2009, 109, 12, 6712–6728Publication Date (Web):September 16, 2009Publication History Received17 May 2009Published online16 September 2009Published inissue 9 December 2009https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/cr9001947https://doi.org/10.1021/cr9001947review-articleACS PublicationsCopyright © 2009 American Chemical SocietyRequest reuse permissionsArticle Views19672Altmetric-Citations1228LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail Other access optionsGet e-Alertsclose SUBJECTS:Anions,Biopolymers,Cellulose,Salts,Solvents Get e-Alerts
ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTPolymer Nanocomposites Reinforced by Cellulose WhiskersV. Favier, H. Chanzy, and J. Y. CavailleCite this: Macromolecules 1995, 28, 18, 6365–6367Publication Date (Print):August 1, 1995Publication History Published online1 May … ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTPolymer Nanocomposites Reinforced by Cellulose WhiskersV. Favier, H. Chanzy, and J. Y. CavailleCite this: Macromolecules 1995, 28, 18, 6365–6367Publication Date (Print):August 1, 1995Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 August 1995https://doi.org/10.1021/ma00122a053RIGHTS & PERMISSIONSArticle Views5594Altmetric-Citations949LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InReddit PDF (1 MB) Get e-Alerts Get e-Alerts
Never-dried native celluloses (bleached sulfite wood pulp, cotton, tunicin, and bacterial cellulose) were disintegrated into individual microfibrils after oxidation mediated by the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) radical followed by a homogenizing mechanical … Never-dried native celluloses (bleached sulfite wood pulp, cotton, tunicin, and bacterial cellulose) were disintegrated into individual microfibrils after oxidation mediated by the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) radical followed by a homogenizing mechanical treatment. When oxidized with 3.6 mmol of NaClO per gram of cellulose, almost the totality of sulfite wood pulp and cotton were readily disintegrated into long individual microfibrils by a treatment with a Waring Blendor, yielding transparent and highly viscous suspensions. When observed by transmission electron microscopy, the wood pulp and cotton microfibrils exhibited a regular width of 3−5 nm. Tunicin and bacterial cellulose could be disintegrated by sonication. A bulk degree of oxidation of about 0.2 per one anhydroglucose unit of cellulose was necessary for a smooth disintegration of sulfite wood pulp, whereas only small amounts of independent microfibrils were obtained at lower oxidation levels. This limiting degree of oxidation decreased in the following order: sulfite wood pulp > cotton > bacterial cellulose, tunicin.
Multiplicities in the resonances of chemically equivalent carbons, which appear in the solid-state carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of native celluloses, have been examined at high resolution. The patterns of … Multiplicities in the resonances of chemically equivalent carbons, which appear in the solid-state carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of native celluloses, have been examined at high resolution. The patterns of variation are consistent with the existence of two distinct crystalline forms. One form is dominant in bacterial and algal celluloses, whereas the other is dominant in celluloses from higher plants.
Utilization of natural polymers has attracted increasing attention because of the consumption and over-exploitation of non-renewable resources, such as coal and oil. The development of green processing of cellulose, the … Utilization of natural polymers has attracted increasing attention because of the consumption and over-exploitation of non-renewable resources, such as coal and oil. The development of green processing of cellulose, the most abundant biorenewable material on Earth, is urgent from the viewpoints of both sustainability and environmental protection. The discovery of the dissolution of cellulose in ionic liquids (ILs, salts which melt below 100 °C) provides new opportunities for the processing of this biopolymer, however, many fundamental and practical questions need to be answered in order to determine if this will ultimately be a green or sustainable strategy. In this critical review, the open fundamental questions regarding the interactions of cellulose with both the IL cations and anions in the dissolution process are discussed. Investigations have shown that the interactions between the anion and cellulose play an important role in the solvation of cellulose, however, opinions on the role of the cation are conflicting. Some researchers have concluded that the cations are hydrogen bonding to this biopolymer, while others suggest they are not. Our review of the available data has led us to urge the use of more chemical units of solubility, such as 'g cellulose per mole of IL' or 'mol IL per mol hydroxyl in cellulose' to provide more consistency in data reporting and more insight into the dissolution mechanism. This review will also assess the greenness and sustainability of IL processing of biomass, where it would seem that the choices of cation and anion are critical not only to the science of the dissolution, but to the ultimate 'greenness' of any process (142 references).
Cellulose cotton linter was oxidized with sodium hypochlorite with catalytic amounts of sodium bromide and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO) under various conditions. After this TEMPO-mediated oxidation, water-insoluble fractions were collected and … Cellulose cotton linter was oxidized with sodium hypochlorite with catalytic amounts of sodium bromide and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO) under various conditions. After this TEMPO-mediated oxidation, water-insoluble fractions were collected and characterized in terms of carboxylate and aldehyde contents, crystallinities and crystal sizes, degrees of polymerization, morphology, and water retention values. Carboxylate and aldehyde groups were introduced into the water-insoluble fractions up to about 0.7 and 0.3 mmol/g, respectively, by the oxidation, where recovery of the water-insoluble fractions were generally higher than 80%. Crystallinities and crystal sizes of cellulose I were nearly unchanged during the oxidation, and thus, carboxylate and aldehyde groups were introduced selectively on crystal surfaces and in disordered regions of the water-insoluble fractions. Water retention values of cotton linter can be increased from 60% to about 280% through the introduction of hydrophilic carboxylate groups and morphological changes from fibrous forms to short fragments by the TEMPO-mediated oxidation.
Softwood and hardwood celluloses were oxidized by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation. The TEMPO-oxidized cellulose fibers were converted to transparent dispersions in water, which consisted of individual nanofibers 3−4 nm in … Softwood and hardwood celluloses were oxidized by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-mediated oxidation. The TEMPO-oxidized cellulose fibers were converted to transparent dispersions in water, which consisted of individual nanofibers 3−4 nm in width. Films were then prepared from the TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCN) and characterized from various aspects. AFM images showed that the TOCN film surface consisted of randomly assembled cellulose nanofibers. The TOCN films prepared from softwood cellulose were transparent and flexible and had extremely low coefficients of thermal expansion caused by high crystallinity of TOCN. Moreover, oxygen permeability of a polylactic acid (PLA) film drastically decreased to about 1/750 by forming a thin TOCN layer on the PLA film. Hydrophobization of the originally hydrophilic TOCN films was achieved by treatment with alkylketene dimer. These unique characteristics of the TOCN films are promising for potential applications in some high-tech materials.
Owing to the hierarchical structure of cellulose, nanoparticles can be extracted from this naturally occurring polymer. Multiple mechanical shearing actions allow the release of more or fewer individual microfibrils. Longitudinal … Owing to the hierarchical structure of cellulose, nanoparticles can be extracted from this naturally occurring polymer. Multiple mechanical shearing actions allow the release of more or fewer individual microfibrils. Longitudinal cutting of these microfibrils can be achieved by a strong acid hydrolysis treatment, allowing dissolution of amorphous domains. The impressive mechanical properties, reinforcing capabilities, abundance, low density, and biodegradability of these nanoparticles make them ideal candidates for the processing of polymer nanocomposites. With a Young's modulus in the range 100–130 GPa and a surface area of several hundred m2 g−1, new promising properties can be considered for cellulose.
Nanocellulose, a unique and promising natural material extracted from native cellulose, has gained much attention for its use as biomedical material, because of its remarkable physical properties, special surface chemistry … Nanocellulose, a unique and promising natural material extracted from native cellulose, has gained much attention for its use as biomedical material, because of its remarkable physical properties, special surface chemistry and excellent biological properties (biocompatibility, biodegradability and low toxicity). Three different types of nanocellulose, viz. cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and bacterial cellulose (BC), are introduced and compared in terms of production, properties and biomedical applications in this article. The advancement of nanocellulose-based biomedical materials is summarized and discussed on the analysis of latest studies (especially reports from the past five years). Selected studies with significant findings are emphasized, and focused topics for nanocellulose in biomedicine research in this article include the discussion at the level of molecule (e.g. tissue bioscaffolds for cellular culture; drug excipient and drug delivery; and immobilization and recognition of enzyme/protein) as well as at the level of macroscopic biomaterials (e.g. blood vessel and soft tissue substitutes; skin and bone tissue repair materials; and antimicrobial materials). Functional modification of nanocellulose will determine the potential biomedical application for nanocellulose, which is also introduced as a separated section in the article. Finally, future perspectives and possible research points are proposed in Section 5.
Cellulose fibrils with widths in the nanometer range are nature-based materials with unique and potentially useful features. Most importantly, these novel nanocelluloses open up the strongly expanding fields of sustainable … Cellulose fibrils with widths in the nanometer range are nature-based materials with unique and potentially useful features. Most importantly, these novel nanocelluloses open up the strongly expanding fields of sustainable materials and nanocomposites, as well as medical and life-science devices, to the natural polymer cellulose. The nanodimensions of the structural elements result in a high surface area and hence the powerful interaction of these celluloses with surrounding species, such as water, organic and polymeric compounds, nanoparticles, and living cells. This Review assembles the current knowledge on the isolation of microfibrillated cellulose from wood and its application in nanocomposites; the preparation of nanocrystalline cellulose and its use as a reinforcing agent; and the biofabrication of bacterial nanocellulose, as well as its evaluation as a biomaterial for medical implants.
An empirical method for determining the crystallinity of native cellulose was studied with an x-ray diffractometer using the focusing and transmission techniques. The influence of fluctuations in the primary radiation … An empirical method for determining the crystallinity of native cellulose was studied with an x-ray diffractometer using the focusing and transmission techniques. The influence of fluctuations in the primary radiation and in the counting and recording processes have been determined. The intensity of the 002 interference and the amor phous scatter at 2θ = 18° was measured. The percent crystalline material in the total cellulose was expressed by an x-ray "crystallinity index." This was done for cotton cellulose decrystallized with aqueous solutions containing from 70% to nominally 100% ethylamine. The x-ray "crystallinity index" was correlated with acid hydrolysis crys tallinity, moisture regain, density, leveling-off degree of polymerization values, and infrared absorbance values for each sample. The results indicate that the crystallinity index is a time-saving empirical measure of relative crystallinity. The precision of the crystallinity index in terms of the several crystallinity criteria is given. Based on over 40 samples for which acid hydrolysis crystallinity values were available, the standard error was 6.5%.
Fundamental features of microbial cellulose utilization are examined at successively higher levels of aggregation encompassing the structure and composition of cellulosic biomass, taxonomic diversity, cellulase enzyme systems, molecular biology of … Fundamental features of microbial cellulose utilization are examined at successively higher levels of aggregation encompassing the structure and composition of cellulosic biomass, taxonomic diversity, cellulase enzyme systems, molecular biology of cellulase enzymes, physiology of cellulolytic microorganisms, ecological aspects of cellulase-degrading communities, and rate-limiting factors in nature. The methodological basis for studying microbial cellulose utilization is considered relative to quantification of cells and enzymes in the presence of solid substrates as well as apparatus and analysis for cellulose-grown continuous cultures. Quantitative description of cellulose hydrolysis is addressed with respect to adsorption of cellulase enzymes, rates of enzymatic hydrolysis, bioenergetics of microbial cellulose utilization, kinetics of microbial cellulose utilization, and contrasting features compared to soluble substrate kinetics. A biological perspective on processing cellulosic biomass is presented, including features of pretreated substrates and alternative process configurations. Organism development is considered for "consolidated bioprocessing" (CBP), in which the production of cellulolytic enzymes, hydrolysis of biomass, and fermentation of resulting sugars to desired products occur in one step. Two organism development strategies for CBP are examined: (i) improve product yield and tolerance in microorganisms able to utilize cellulose, or (ii) express a heterologous system for cellulose hydrolysis and utilization in microorganisms that exhibit high product yield and tolerance. A concluding discussion identifies unresolved issues pertaining to microbial cellulose utilization, suggests approaches by which such issues might be resolved, and contrasts a microbially oriented cellulose hydrolysis paradigm to the more conventional enzymatically oriented paradigm in both fundamental and applied contexts.
This critical review provides a processing-structure-property perspective on recent advances in cellulose nanoparticles and composites produced from them. It summarizes cellulose nanoparticles in terms of particle morphology, crystal structure, and … This critical review provides a processing-structure-property perspective on recent advances in cellulose nanoparticles and composites produced from them. It summarizes cellulose nanoparticles in terms of particle morphology, crystal structure, and properties. Also described are the self-assembly and rheological properties of cellulose nanoparticle suspensions. The methodology of composite processing and resulting properties are fully covered, with an emphasis on neat and high fraction cellulose composites. Additionally, advances in predictive modeling from molecular dynamic simulations of crystalline cellulose to the continuum modeling of composites made with such particles are reviewed (392 references).
Native wood celluloses can be converted to individual nanofibers 3–4 nm wide that are at least several microns in length, i.e. with aspect ratios >100, by TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical)-mediated oxidation … Native wood celluloses can be converted to individual nanofibers 3–4 nm wide that are at least several microns in length, i.e. with aspect ratios >100, by TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical)-mediated oxidation and successive mild disintegration in water. Preparation methods and fundamental characteristics of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCN) are reviewed in this paper. Significant amounts of C6 carboxylate groups are selectively formed on each cellulose microfibril surface by TEMPO-mediated oxidation without any changes to the original crystallinity (∼74%) or crystal width of wood celluloses. Electrostatic repulsion and/or osmotic effects working between anionically-charged cellulose microfibrils, the ζ-potentials of which are approximately −75 mV in water, cause the formation of completely individualized TOCN dispersed in water by gentle mechanical disintegration treatment of TEMPO-oxidized wood cellulose fibers. Self-standing TOCN films are transparent and flexible, with high tensile strengths of 200–300 MPa and elastic moduli of 6–7 GPa. Moreover, TOCN-coated poly(lactic acid) films have extremely low oxygen permeability. The new cellulose-based nanofibers formed by size reduction process of native cellulose fibers by TEMPO-mediated oxidation have potential application as environmentally friendly and new bio-based nanomaterials in high-tech fields.
Abstract Although measurements of crystallinity index (CI) have a long history, it has been found that CI varies significantly depending on the choice of measurement method. In this study, four … Abstract Although measurements of crystallinity index (CI) have a long history, it has been found that CI varies significantly depending on the choice of measurement method. In this study, four different techniques incorporating X-ray diffraction and solid-state 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were compared using eight different cellulose preparations. We found that the simplest method, which is also the most widely used, and which involves measurement of just two heights in the X-ray diffractogram, produced significantly higher crystallinity values than did the other methods. Data in the literature for the cellulose preparation used (Avicel PH-101) support this observation. We believe that the alternative X-ray diffraction (XRD) and NMR methods presented here, which consider the contributions from amorphous and crystalline cellulose to the entire XRD and NMR spectra, provide a more accurate measure of the crystallinity of cellulose. Although celluloses having a high amorphous content are usually more easily digested by enzymes, it is unclear, based on studies published in the literature, whether CI actually provides a clear indication of the digestibility of a cellulose sample. Cellulose accessibility should be affected by crystallinity, but is also likely to be affected by several other parameters, such as lignin/hemicellulose contents and distribution, porosity, and particle size. Given the methodological dependency of cellulose CI values and the complex nature of cellulase interactions with amorphous and crystalline celluloses, we caution against trying to correlate relatively small changes in CI with changes in cellulose digestibility. In addition, the prediction of cellulase performance based on low levels of cellulose conversion may not include sufficient digestion of the crystalline component to be meaningful.
Dissolution of cellulose with ionic liquids allows the comprehensive utilization of cellulose by combining two major green chemistry principles: using environmentally preferable solvents and bio-renewable feed-stocks. In this paper, the … Dissolution of cellulose with ionic liquids allows the comprehensive utilization of cellulose by combining two major green chemistry principles: using environmentally preferable solvents and bio-renewable feed-stocks. In this paper, the dissolution of cellulose with ionic liquids and its application were reviewed. Cellulose can be dissolved, without derivation, in some hydrophilic ionic liquids, such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMIMCl) and 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AMIMCl). Microwave heating significantly accelerates the dissolution process. Cellulose can be easily regenerated from its ionic liquid solutions by addition of water, ethanol or acetone. After its regeneration, the ionic liquids can be recovered and reused. Fractionation of lignocellulosic materials and preparation of cellulose derivatives and composites are two of its typical applications. Although some basic studies, such as economical syntheses of ionic liquids and studies of ionic liquid toxicology, are still much needed, commercialization of these processes has made great progress in recent years.
Abstract As the most important skeletal component in plants, the polysaccharide cellulose is an almost inexhaustible polymeric raw material with fascinating structure and properties. Formed by the repeated connection of … Abstract As the most important skeletal component in plants, the polysaccharide cellulose is an almost inexhaustible polymeric raw material with fascinating structure and properties. Formed by the repeated connection of D ‐glucose building blocks, the highly functionalized, linear stiff‐chain homopolymer is characterized by its hydrophilicity, chirality, biodegradability, broad chemical modifying capacity, and its formation of versatile semicrystalline fiber morphologies. In view of the considerable increase in interdisciplinary cellulose research and product development over the past decade worldwide, this paper assembles the current knowledge in the structure and chemistry of cellulose, and in the development of innovative cellulose esters and ethers for coatings, films, membranes, building materials, drilling techniques, pharmaceuticals, and foodstuffs. New frontiers, including environmentally friendly cellulose fiber technologies, bacterial cellulose biomaterials, and in‐vitro syntheses of cellulose are highlighted together with future aims, strategies, and perspectives of cellulose research and its applications.
With the arising of global climate change and resource shortage, in recent years, increased attention has been paid to environmentally friendly materials. Trees are sustainable and renewable materials, which give … With the arising of global climate change and resource shortage, in recent years, increased attention has been paid to environmentally friendly materials. Trees are sustainable and renewable materials, which give us shelter and oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Trees are a primary resource that human society depends upon every day, for example, homes, heating, furniture, and aircraft. Wood from trees gives us paper, cardboard, and medical supplies, thus impacting our homes, school, work, and play. All of the above-mentioned applications have been well developed over the past thousands of years. However, trees and wood have much more to offer us as advanced materials, impacting emerging high-tech fields, such as bioengineering, flexible electronics, and clean energy. Wood naturally has a hierarchical structure, composed of well-oriented microfibers and tracheids for water, ion, and oxygen transportation during metabolism. At higher magnification, the walls of fiber cells have an interesting morphology—a distinctly mesoporous structure. Moreover, the walls of fiber cells are composed of thousands of fibers (or macrofibrils) oriented in a similar angle. Nanofibrils and nanocrystals can be further liberated from macrofibrils by mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic methods. The obtained nanocellulose has unique optical, mechanical, and barrier properties and is an excellent candidate for chemical modification and reconfiguration. Wood is naturally a composite material, comprised of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Wood is sustainable, earth abundant, strong, biodegradable, biocompatible, and chemically accessible for modification; more importantly, multiscale natural fibers from wood have unique optical properties applicable to different kinds of optoelectronics and photonic devices. Today, the materials derived from wood are ready to be explored for applications in new technology areas, such as electronics, biomedical devices, and energy. The goal of this study is to review the fundamental structures and chemistries of wood and wood-derived materials, which are essential for a wide range of existing and new enabling technologies. The scope of the review covers multiscale materials and assemblies of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin as well as other biomaterials derived from wood, in regard to their major emerging applications. Structure–properties–application relationships will be investigated in detail. Understanding the fundamental properties of these structures is crucial for designing and manufacturing products for emerging applications. Today, a more holistic understanding of the interplay between the structure, chemistry, and performance of wood and wood-derived materials is advancing historical applications of these materials. This new level of understanding also enables a myriad of new and exciting applications, which motivate this review. There are excellent reviews already on the classical topic of woody materials, and some recent reviews also cover new understanding of these materials as well as potential applications. This review will focus on the uniqueness of woody materials for three critical applications: green electronics, biological devices, and energy storage and bioenergy.
Naturally derived cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) are emerging nanomaterials that display high strength, high surface area, and tunable surface chemistry, allowing for controlled interactions with polymers, nanoparticles, … Naturally derived cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) are emerging nanomaterials that display high strength, high surface area, and tunable surface chemistry, allowing for controlled interactions with polymers, nanoparticles, small molecules, and biological materials. Industrial production of nanocelluloses is increasing rapidly with several companies already producing on the tons-per-day scale, intensifying the quest for viable products across many sectors. While the hydrophilicity of the nanocellulose interface has posed a challenge to the use of CNCs and CNFs as reinforcing agents in conventional plastics, it is a significant benefit for creating reinforced or structured hydrogel composites (or, when dried, aerogels) exhibiting both mechanical reinforcement and a host of other desirable properties. In this context, this Review describes the quickly growing field of hydrogels and aerogels incorporating nanocelluloses; over 200 references are summarized in comprehensive tables covering the chemistry, preparation, properties, and applications of "nanocellulose-only" and "nanocellulose-containing" gels. Physical and chemical cross-linking strategies, postmodification steps, and routes to control gel structure are discussed, along with key developments and ongoing challenges in the field. Nanocellulose hydrogels and aerogels show great promise in a wide range of biomedical, energy storage, construction, separations, cosmetic, and food applications.
With increasing environmental and ecological concerns due to the use of petroleum-based chemicals and products, the synthesis of fine chemicals and functional materials from natural resources is of great public … With increasing environmental and ecological concerns due to the use of petroleum-based chemicals and products, the synthesis of fine chemicals and functional materials from natural resources is of great public value. Nanocellulose may prove to be one of the most promising green materials of modern times due to its intrinsic properties, renewability, and abundance. In this review, we present nanocellulose-based materials from sourcing, synthesis, and surface modification of nanocellulose, to materials formation and applications. Nanocellulose can be sourced from biomass, plants, or bacteria, relying on fairly simple, scalable, and efficient isolation techniques. Mechanical, chemical, and enzymatic treatments, or a combination of these, can be used to extract nanocellulose from natural sources. The properties of nanocellulose are dependent on the source, the isolation technique, and potential subsequent surface transformations. Nanocellulose surface modification techniques are typically used to introduce either charged or hydrophobic moieties, and include amidation, esterification, etherification, silylation, polymerization, urethanization, sulfonation, and phosphorylation. Nanocellulose has excellent strength, high Young's modulus, biocompatibility, and tunable self-assembly, thixotropic, and photonic properties, which are essential for the applications of this material. Nanocellulose participates in the fabrication of a large range of nanomaterials and nanocomposites, including those based on polymers, metals, metal oxides, and carbon. In particular, nanocellulose complements organic-based materials, where it imparts its mechanical properties to the composite. Nanocellulose is a promising material whenever material strength, flexibility, and/or specific nanostructuration are required. Applications include functional paper, optoelectronics, and antibacterial coatings, packaging, mechanically reinforced polymer composites, tissue scaffolds, drug delivery, biosensors, energy storage, catalysis, environmental remediation, and electrochemically controlled separation. Phosphorylated nanocellulose is a particularly interesting material, spanning a surprising set of applications in various dimensions including bone scaffolds, adsorbents, and flame retardants and as a support for the heterogenization of homogeneous catalysts.
The crystal and molecular structure, together with the hydrogen-bonding system in cellulose Iα, has been determined using atomic-resolution synchrotron and neutron diffraction data recorded from oriented fibrous samples prepared by … The crystal and molecular structure, together with the hydrogen-bonding system in cellulose Iα, has been determined using atomic-resolution synchrotron and neutron diffraction data recorded from oriented fibrous samples prepared by aligning cellulose microcrystals from the cell wall of the freshwater alga Glaucocystis nostochinearum. The X-ray data were used to determine the C and O atom positions. The resulting structure is a one-chain triclinic unit cell with all glucosyl linkages and hydroxymethyl groups (tg) identical. However, adjacent sugar rings alternate in conformation giving the chain a cellobiosyl repeat. The chains organize in sheets packed in a "parallel-up" fashion. The positions of hydrogen atoms involved in hydrogen-bonding were determined from a Fourier-difference analysis using neutron diffraction data collected from hydrogenated and deuterated samples. The differences between the structure and hydrogen-bonding reported here for cellulose Iα and previously for cellulose Iβ provide potential explanations for the solid-state conversion of Iα → Iβ and for the occurrence of two crystal phases in naturally occurring cellulose.
Bacterial cellulose (BC), an extracellular polysaccharide synthesized by various bacterial strains. It exhibits high tensile strength, water retention, crystallinity, and biocompatibility, making it valuable in biomedical, cosmetic, food, textile, and … Bacterial cellulose (BC), an extracellular polysaccharide synthesized by various bacterial strains. It exhibits high tensile strength, water retention, crystallinity, and biocompatibility, making it valuable in biomedical, cosmetic, food, textile, and paper industries. This study examined the effects of six carbon sources on BC production by Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans, identifying fructose as the most effective. A Box–Behnken experimental design was employed to investigate the effects of three variables (fructose concentration, temperature, and cultivation time) on cellulose yield. The optimized cultivation conditions were: fructose concentration of 227.5 g/L, temperature of 28.0 °C, and cultivation time of 295 h, resulting in a BC yield of 63.07 ± 2.91 g/L. Subsequently, BC’s potential as a bacteriophage carrier was assessed. Escherichia coli phage T4 and Staphylococcus aureus phage vB_SauS_CS1 (CS1) were immobilized within BC hydrogels, and their antibacterial activities were assessed through in vitro experiments. These findings suggest BC’s promise as a phage delivery platform for biomedical applications.
Abstract This study investigates the sustainable synthesis of biobased graphene (BG) derived from coconut husk waste and its application in eco-friendly water-based drilling muds (WBM). The BG was prepared through … Abstract This study investigates the sustainable synthesis of biobased graphene (BG) derived from coconut husk waste and its application in eco-friendly water-based drilling muds (WBM). The BG was prepared through thermal exfoliation of lignin and utilized as a fluid loss additive, while benzimidazole (BI) was incorporated to serve as a corrosion inhibitor. To optimize performance, the Taguchi method was combined with Grey Relational Analysis (GRA), targeting three key parameters: viscosity, fluid loss, and corrosion resistance. Structural characterization revealed that BG synthesized at 1000 °C exhibited improved graphitic ordering, with an average flake diameter of around 20 nm and an interlayer spacing (d-spacing) of 3.49 Å. In terms of performance, incorporating 0.5 wt% BG reduced fluid loss by 50%, while 5 wt% BI delivered an impressive corrosion inhibition efficiency of 96.9%. The optimal mud formulation was achieved using 0.5 wt% BG, 5 wt% BI, 60 min of mixing time, and 8 wt% bentonite. Altogether, this work highlights a sustainable pathway for drilling fluid formulation by valorizing agricultural waste and minimizing additive loadings—without compromising on performance or environmental compatibility.
Ionic liquids (ILs) have attained considerable attention as cellulose solvents. Nevertheless, the detailed mechanism of cellulose dissolution in ILs is not clearly defined. It is crucial to recognize the role … Ionic liquids (ILs) have attained considerable attention as cellulose solvents. Nevertheless, the detailed mechanism of cellulose dissolution in ILs is not clearly defined. It is crucial to recognize the role of the individual components of the ILs to fully understand this mechanism. During this study, the effect of alkyl chain length in imidazolium cation was examined using synthesized ILs which are composed of common acetate anion and imidazolium cations with different alkyl substituents. This study also aimed to investigate the odd–even effect of alkyl chain carbons. Furthermore, whereas most published investigations on cellulose dissolution in ILs used microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), which has a far lower degree of polymerization, in this study, cotton cellulose was used. During the dissolution experiments, cotton cellulose (5% w/w) was added to each IL, and the progress of the dissolution was monitored using polarized light microscopy (PLM). The regeneration of cellulose was performed by using water as the anti-solvent, and the regenerated cellulose was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). During these experiments, it was noted that ILs with odd C3 and C5 carbon chains were less effective at dissolving cellulose than those with even C2 and C4 alkyl chains. Additionally, after regeneration, biomaterials for a variety of applications could be produced.
ABSTRACT Sustainable alternatives to petroleum‐based plastics are needed urgently, but biodegradable materials from renewable sources often suffer from inadequate mechanical properties. Here, we demonstrate a bio‐inspired strategy to enhance soy … ABSTRACT Sustainable alternatives to petroleum‐based plastics are needed urgently, but biodegradable materials from renewable sources often suffer from inadequate mechanical properties. Here, we demonstrate a bio‐inspired strategy to enhance soy protein isolate (SPI) nanocomposites through surface modification of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) reinforcing filler particles with a polydopamine (polyDOPA) coating via dopamine polymerization under alkaline conditions. This modification creates multifunctional interfaces at filler surfaces that enhance nanocomposite mechanical properties likely by simultaneously altering filler dispersion and filler–matrix interactions. PolyDOPA‐modified CNCs increase the tensile strength and elastic modulus of SPI films (plasticized with 50% glycerol) by more than threefold compared to unreinforced controls. Transmission electron microscopy, spectroscopic techniques, and thermal analysis reveal that polyDOPA coatings influenced nanocomposite structure across multiple length scales, tripling the effective diameter of the CNC inclusions, reducing the tendency of CNC nanocrystals to aggregate, and increasing the glass transition temperature. The increase in glass transition temperature suggests reduced SPI molecular mobility, which, along with micromechanical modeling, indicates the potential for improved interfacial interactions. Results reveal how polyDOPA‐modified CNCs influence the interphase behavior and filler dispersion of SPI‐glycerol nanocomposites, providing a pathway to further improve their performance for various applications, including packaging, membranes, and coatings.
Local dynamics in molecular solutions of cellulose have been studied using quasi-elastic neutron scattering on ternary mixtures of microcrystalline cellulose, ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium acetate, and cosolvent dimethylformamide. Two distinct dynamic … Local dynamics in molecular solutions of cellulose have been studied using quasi-elastic neutron scattering on ternary mixtures of microcrystalline cellulose, ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium acetate, and cosolvent dimethylformamide. Two distinct dynamic behaviors in solutions have been identified, with slow dynamics likely attributed to long-range translational diffusion and fast dynamics likely involving the motion of IL in nanoaggregates. The presence of cellulose suppresses both dynamic modes as the residence time for both slow and fast dynamics increases, while the radius of confinement remains invariant upon cellulose dissolution. Arrhenius activation behaviors are followed generally; the activation energy decreases for fast dynamics upon cellulose dissolution while showing no measurable change for slow ones. This study offers new information about the dynamics of an important class of renewable biomaterials.
Environmentally sustainable methods for producing flexible electronics, such as paper-based energy harvesters in nanogenerators, are a major objective in materials science. In this frame, the present study investigated two different … Environmentally sustainable methods for producing flexible electronics, such as paper-based energy harvesters in nanogenerators, are a major objective in materials science. In this frame, the present study investigated two different Komagataeibacter sp. strains (K2G30 and K2G44), never tested as biocatalysts for the production of bacterial cellulose (BC) functionalized with iron particles to provide potential electrical conductivity. Two functionalization strategies (ex situ and in situ) were evaluated using two iron compounds FeCl2 and FeSO4, individually and in combination (up to 0.1% w/v), to assess efficiency and feasibility. In addition, a Design of Experiment approach was implemented to calculate quantitative mathematical models to correlate the functionalization methods with the iron amount in the BC. Among the tested conditions, BC produced by strain K2G44 using the ex situ method with FeCl2 showed the most promising results, achieving the highest iron content (~37% atomic weight) with a highly homogeneous dispersion of iron nanoparticles. Moreover, the in situ BC functionalization using FeSO4 led to the formation of iron gluconate. FeSO4 alone significantly enhanced BC production in the in situ process, with yields of 2.62 ± 0.15 g/L for K2G30 and 2.05 ± 0.09 g/L for K2G44.
The steady shear rheology of suspensions of mixtures of rod-shaped cellulose nanocrystals (NCC) and spherical starch nanoparticles (SNPs) was investigated experimentally over a broad range of NCC and SNP concentrations. … The steady shear rheology of suspensions of mixtures of rod-shaped cellulose nanocrystals (NCC) and spherical starch nanoparticles (SNPs) was investigated experimentally over a broad range of NCC and SNP concentrations. The NCC concentration varied from about 1 to 6.7 wt% and the SNP concentration varied from 5 to 30 wt%. The suspensions of mixtures of NCC and SNPs were pseudoplastic (shear-thinning) in nature. The viscous behavior of suspensions of mixtures of NCC and SNPs could be described adequately using the power-law model. The power-law parameters, that is, consistency index and flow behavior index, were dependent on the concentrations of both NCC and SNPs. The consistency index increased substantially with increases in NCC and SNP concentrations. The flow behavior index generally decreased with an increase in NCC and SNP concentrations; that is, the suspension mixtures became more shear-thinning with increases in NCC and SNP concentrations. However, the dependence of the consistency index and flow behavior index on NCC concentration was much stronger as compared with the SNP concentration.
Wet spinning of nanocellulose in purely aqueous systems for functionalized filament formation represents a significant yet challenging research frontier. This study develops a sustainable wet-spinning approach to produce high-performance macrofibers … Wet spinning of nanocellulose in purely aqueous systems for functionalized filament formation represents a significant yet challenging research frontier. This study develops a sustainable wet-spinning approach to produce high-performance macrofibers using TEMPO-oxidized bacterial cellulose nanofibers (TOBCN), sodium alginate (Alg), and metal-phenolic networks (MPNs). The system utilizes Fe3+-mediated cross-linking in MPNs combined with Ca2+-induced ionic bonding with TOBCN to achieve enhanced mechanical properties. The optimized Alg/TAFe1-TOBC2 fiber demonstrates remarkable multifunctional characteristics, including photothermal antibacterial efficacy exceeding 99% against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, superior flame retardancy with 61.05% lower heat release compared to cotton, and excellent UV protection with UV protection factor values surpassing 100, which exceed standard textile requirements. The purely aqueous processing and biomass-based composition ensure environmental compatibility and biocompatibility. These macrofibers hold promise for protective textiles, combining sustainability with high performance.
In this study we explored the chiral behavior of a honeycomb-like chiral metamaterial with a negative Poisson’s ratio. This type of structure is widely used in sectors such as construction … In this study we explored the chiral behavior of a honeycomb-like chiral metamaterial with a negative Poisson’s ratio. This type of structure is widely used in sectors such as construction and packaging, but is not as common in electromagnetics/electrical engineering. Moreover, in contrast with typical layer-by-layer chiral metamaterial structures, which are usually formed by metallic patterns with C4 symmetry, this hexachiral structure presents C6 symmetry. The aim of this paper is analyzing the electromagnetic behavior of this kind of auxetic metamaterial with special attention to its chiral behavior. This structure is analyzed by means of measurements and simulations of its reflection and transmission responses (scattering parameters) in different configurations, showing that a dual-layer configuration with conjugated faces provides high electromagnetic activity (gyrotropy) with low losses.
ABSTRACT This study develops a functionalization strategy for incorporating cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) into unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) to simultaneously enhance its strength and toughness. Surface modification of CNCs was achieved … ABSTRACT This study develops a functionalization strategy for incorporating cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) into unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) to simultaneously enhance its strength and toughness. Surface modification of CNCs was achieved through sequential reactions with toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), introducing carbon double bonds(CC) to obtain modified CNC (m‐CNC). The m‐CNC was subsequently compounded with UPR to fabricate composite materials. A comprehensive investigation of the composites' morphological features, mechanical performance, and thermal behavior was conducted through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), mechanical testing, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Experimental results demonstrate that 0.3 wt% m‐CNC incorporation markedly improves UPR's mechanical properties, with the composite exhibiting 23.55% higher tensile strength, 59.01% increased flexural strength, and 96.16% enhanced impact resistance compared to unmodified UPR. DMA characterization revealed that covalent cross‐linking between m‐CNC and the UPR matrix restricts polymer chain mobility, resulting in a 35.4% elevation in storage modulus. TGA data confirmed the heat resistance improvement, showing 12.8°C and 9.3°C increases in thermal decomposition temperatures for m‐CNC/UPR composites relative to pure UPR and unmodified CNCs/UPR systems, respectively. This synergistic modification approach effectively balances structural integrity preservation of CNCs with significant enhancement of UPR's multifunctional performance, demonstrating potential applications in automotive, construction, new energy, and eco‐friendly packaging industries. It emerges as a promising alternative to conventional composite materials.
Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the suitability of bast and core fibre derived from S. Officinarum bagasse (an agricultural waste) for pulp and paper making. The bagasse was … Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the suitability of bast and core fibre derived from S. Officinarum bagasse (an agricultural waste) for pulp and paper making. The bagasse was chipped and macerated in a 1:1 mixture of acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide for three weeks to release the fibres. The fibre dimensions were measured under the microscope and morphological indices calculated. Physicochemical properties (ash and moisture content, cold water, hot water and 1 % NaOH solubility) were also determined using American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) method. The bast fibre was digested with 2 and 4 M NaOH in ratios 1:10, 1:20 and 1:30 (w/v) at pulp time of 30, 60 and 90 minutes, respectively. The mean values obtained for fibre length, fibre diameter, lumen width and cell wall thickness for both core and bast fibre were in the range 0.736 mm to 1.542 mm, 0.0237 mm to 0.0242 mm, 0.0178 mm, and 0.0025 mm to 0.0029 mm respectively. The morphological indices for core and bast fibres were; 10.54 to 12.58, 0.35 to 5.81, 32.21 to 67.43 and 78.83 to 78.90 for coefficient rigidity, runkel ratio, felting power, and coefficient flexibility respectively. It was observed that the best pulp yield was obtained with 1:10 (w/v) solid to liquid ratio of 2 M NaOH solution at digestion time of 90 minutes. The papers produced were examined using Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM). The finding of this study revealed that bast fibre of S. Officinarum plant holds greater promise as a sustainable alternative source for papermaking than the core fibre.
In this work, a novel high surface area adsorbent based on cellulose and inspired by hyper-cross-linked polymers was designed. Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) were functionalized with poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) and hyper-cross-linked through … In this work, a novel high surface area adsorbent based on cellulose and inspired by hyper-cross-linked polymers was designed. Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) were functionalized with poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) and hyper-cross-linked through Friedel-Crafts alkylation, yielding a micro/mesoporous material characterized by a specific surface area of 409 m2/g, microporous fraction of 50%, and biobased content of about 70 wt %. The functionalized CNF, tested for the adsorption of 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) from water at 298 K, were able to remove 90% of the pollutant from a 62.5 mg/L DCP solution and adsorb 284 mg/g at a higher concentration (1000 mg/L). Thermodynamic studies demonstrated the multilayer adsorption of the hyper-cross-linked CNF, the exothermic nature of the process, and its spontaneity. The hyper-cross-linked cellulose nanofibrils were reusable with efficiency above 98% in 5 subsequent cycles. The adsorption performance was stable across varying pH levels, and interference from natural organic matter (e.g., humic acids) was minimal (<10%). This work marked a promising step toward more sustainable sorbent materials by demonstrating the potential of cellulose nanofibrils as functional scaffolds. The strategy could be extended to waste-derived cellulose sources and biobased aromatic compounds, paving the way for fully renewable porous adsorbents.
Nanocellulose obtained from renewable and abundant biomass has garnered significant attention as a sustainable material with exceptional properties and diverse applications. This review explores the key aspects of nanocellulose, focusing … Nanocellulose obtained from renewable and abundant biomass has garnered significant attention as a sustainable material with exceptional properties and diverse applications. This review explores the key aspects of nanocellulose, focusing on its extraction methods, applications, and future prospects. The synthesis of nanocellulose involves mechanical, chemical, and biological techniques, each uniquely modifying the cellulose structure to isolate cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), or bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). These methods provide tailored characteristics, enabling applications across a wide range of industries. Nanocellulose’s remarkable properties, including high mechanical strength, large surface area, thermal stability, and biodegradability, have propelled its use in packaging, electronics, biomedicine, and environmental remediation. It has shown immense potential in enhancing the mechanical performance of composites, improving water purification systems, and serving as a scaffold for tissue engineering and drug delivery. However, challenges related to large-scale production, functionalization, regulatory frameworks, and safety concerns persist, necessitating further research and innovation. This review emphasizes the need for sustainable production strategies and advanced functionalization techniques to harness nanocellulose’s full potential. As an eco-friendly, high-performance material, nanocellulose presents a promising avenue for addressing global sustainability challenges while offering transformative solutions for various industries.
Volvariella volvacea endoglucanase EG1 was used to treat bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP) and hardwood pulp (BHKP) to improve the refinability and physical strength, as well as to reduce vessel … Volvariella volvacea endoglucanase EG1 was used to treat bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP) and hardwood pulp (BHKP) to improve the refinability and physical strength, as well as to reduce vessel picking in Eucalyptus pulp. The results indicated that BSKP was treated with an enzyme dosage of 3 U/g for 2 h at 12,000 refining revolutions, which increased the tensile index from 71.4 N·m/g to 86.7 N·m/g. For BHKP, treatment with 10 U/g of EG1 for 2 h at 15,000 refining revolutions improved the tensile index from the control of 47.7 N·m/g to 56.9 N·m/g. Vessel-removed and vessel-enriched fractions of Eucalyptus pulp were obtained by screening and treated with EG1, respectively. It was found that EG1-assisted refining increased the physical strength and surface strength of both pulp fractions, and the latter improved even more, with increases of 22.4% and 160%, respectively.
<title>Abstract</title> The oxidation of carbohydrates and polysaccharides is essential for producing functional biopolymers used across diverse industrial sectors. Conventional oxidation methods employing agents such as sodium periodate, hypochlorite, TEMPO, and … <title>Abstract</title> The oxidation of carbohydrates and polysaccharides is essential for producing functional biopolymers used across diverse industrial sectors. Conventional oxidation methods employing agents such as sodium periodate, hypochlorite, TEMPO, and hydrogen peroxide often face limitations including sensitivity to reaction parameters, generation of undesirable byproducts, environmental concerns, and high costs. Here, we introduce a novel, eco-friendly electrooxidation method that integrates hydrogen peroxide with a copper electrode under mild conditions, enabling rapid and efficient polysaccharide oxidation without complex purification steps. The approach was applied to <italic>kappa</italic>-Carrageenan (k-Car), with characterization by FTIR, NMR, and SEM confirming successful oxidation. The oxidized polysaccharide (Ok-Car) exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity against <italic>Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).</italic> Demonstrating broad applicability to various polysaccharides, this radical-mediated electrocatalytic technique offers a sustainable platform for scalable and environmentally friendly polysaccharide modification, advancing green chemistry in biopolymer processing.
ABSTRACT Objective : As one of the most widely used fibers in the world, the efficient dissolution and high‐value recycling of viscose are crucial issues. However, due to the highly … ABSTRACT Objective : As one of the most widely used fibers in the world, the efficient dissolution and high‐value recycling of viscose are crucial issues. However, due to the highly crystalline nature of commercial viscose, many cellulose dissolution methods remain ineffective in achieving the dissolution and recycling of viscose. This work is to find a method that can execute the effective solubilization and valuable reuse of commercial viscose. Method : A system of thermal polar solvent (TPS) is proposed as an efficient dissolution and high‐value recycling strategy for viscose, enabling a dissolution of up to 13 wt.% in a polar solvent containing Lewis acid salt. Results : This solvent only causes a slight decrease in the degree of polymerization (approximately 16.6%, compared to the loss of 68.4% in natural cellulose) to exhibit its mildness and suitability for viscose dissolution and regeneration. The regenerated viscose film demonstrates excellent mechanical properties and stability compared to films regenerated using other dissolution methods. Additionally, the film regenerated can also be recycled after use. Furthermore, the regenerated viscose is found to be spun into fiber with excellent tensile strength (660 MPa), tensile strain (18%), and light transmittance. Conclusion : This work provides a feasible approach for the cost‐effective, eco‐friendly, and effective recycling of viscose.
As the world's top producers of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), Indonesia and Malaysia are urged to propose a value-added valorization of its lignocellulosic biomass, oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB). … As the world's top producers of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), Indonesia and Malaysia are urged to propose a value-added valorization of its lignocellulosic biomass, oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB). Meanwhile, the nations' signature 'batik' textile industries are in dire need of optimum remediation treatments of their wastewater high in harmful dyes and chemicals. Organic-inorganic hybrid systems of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for heavy metals removal were prepared using OPEFB-based cellulose acetate (CA) and zinc oxide (ZnO; 0.5, 0.75, 1%, w/v) in N-methyl pyrrolidinone (NMP; 89, 90, 91%, v/v). The high crystallinity (62.42%) and fibrils' web-like structure of OPEFB-CA were confirmed. Microscopic observation of OPEFB CA-NMP-ZnO membranes evidenced the porous yet smooth surface due to the use of plasticizing NMP, as well as uniform dispersion of ZnO particles. MMM 2 (0.75%ZnO; 90%NMP) was the best-performing membrane mechanically with excellent tensile strength (1.78 MPa), Young's modulus (0.13 GPa), and elongation-at-break (2.59%), while thermal stability (Td,5%, 291 °C) improvement was also highlighted. Pores characteristics on size, volume, and surface area were discussed, too. Remediation performance was excellent even at high (20%) effluent concentration reaching 28% and 65% removal of Cu and Pb, respectively, by MMM 1 (0.5%ZnO; 89%NMP). These findings confirmed the promising prospect of the developed membranes as a wastewater remediation treatment, including in textile industries.
<title>Abstract</title> Low-cost substrates and agricultural wastes for bacterial cellulose (BC) production have gained significant attention in recent years because of their potential to increase yield and reduce production costs. Diverse … <title>Abstract</title> Low-cost substrates and agricultural wastes for bacterial cellulose (BC) production have gained significant attention in recent years because of their potential to increase yield and reduce production costs. Diverse bacterial species exhibit heterogeneous metabolic profiles and substrate utilization patterns during BC biosynthesis when cultivated on these substrates. The aim of this study was to mimic the hexose and pentose composition of low-cost substrates to increase the BC yield. This study investigated the substrate utilization patterns of two <italic>Komagataeibacter</italic> species during BC production on mixed carbon substrates. Both strains used in this study utilized mixed hexose and pentose sugars as carbon sources for BC production, with varying consumption patterns and BC yields. <italic>Komagataeibacter</italic> sp. CCUG73629 efficiently utilized multiple sugars, with the highest BC yield recorded in the glucose-cellobiose medium (M4). The highest BC yield of <italic>Komagataeibacter</italic> sp. CCUG73630 was recorded in medium containing glucose as the sole carbon source. The BC produced had functional groups associated with cellulose, well-defined diffraction peaks, and densely interwoven fiber structures. The maximum degree of crystallinity (67.5%) was recorded for BC produced by <italic>Komagataeibacter</italic> sp. CCUG73630 in a glucose-arabinose-xylose medium (M1). Owing to their unique metabolic profiles, each <italic>Komagataeibacter</italic> species demonstrates different substrate utilization patterns. This study revealed the complexity, variation, unique metabolism, and strain-specific nature of bacterial BC production using mixed hexose and pentose sugars as carbon sources. Thus, this study contributes to the development of efficient and economical methods for producing BC from alternative substrates.
ABSTRACT Biomodification of secondary cellulose, recovered from textile waste, was performed using the enzyme cellulase. Biomodification (biopolishing) leads to a significant improvement in the texture of the material by removing … ABSTRACT Biomodification of secondary cellulose, recovered from textile waste, was performed using the enzyme cellulase. Biomodification (biopolishing) leads to a significant improvement in the texture of the material by removing fibers, pellets, and impurities from the surface. The most effective biopolishing of regenerated secondary cellulose fabric is achieved within 1.5–2 h at a cellulase concentration of 1.5–2 g/L and a temperature of 50°C–60°C. As a result of enzymatic modification, the strength of the cellulose increases by 12%–15%, abrasion resistance improves by 4%–30%, and air permeability increases by 5%–8%. The fibers acquire a more rounded shape and exhibit reduced crimping. Simultaneous enhancement of the porosity and microstructure, increase in the internal volume of the fibers contributes to better dye sorption and fixation, as well as a more uniform distribution of the dye solution within the cellulose fiber. The degree of crystallinity of cellulose, calculated through X‐ray phase analysis, is 54.7% for the untreated fabric. After biopolishing, this value decreases to 52.6%, but after dyeing, it increases to 64.1%. Enzymatically modified dyed cellulose fibers exhibit very high resistance to light, dry and wet friction, sweat, and soap treatments.
This review delves into environmentally conscious sustainable packaging materials, focusing on biodegradable polymers and innovative surface modification methodologies. Synthetic plastics have revolutionized various industries due to their physical attributes and … This review delves into environmentally conscious sustainable packaging materials, focusing on biodegradable polymers and innovative surface modification methodologies. Synthetic plastics have revolutionized various industries due to their physical attributes and affordability, particularly in packaging applications. Nonetheless, the substantial volume of plastic waste, especially from non-biodegradable sources, has provoked heightened environmental apprehensions. Notably, polymers derived from natural sources, such as cellulose, are classified as biopolymers and esteemed for their ecological benevolence. Among these, cellulose and its derivatives stand out as renewable and abundant substances, holding promise for sustainable packaging solutions. Nano-sized cellulose fibers’ incorporation into biodegradable films garners interest due to their remarkable surface area, robust mechanical strength, and other commendable properties. Surface modification techniques, such as a polydopamine (PDA) coating, have been explored to improve the dispersion, interfacial compatibility, and mechanical performance of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) when incorporated into biodegradable polymer films. In this sense, PDA, derived from mussel proteins’ dopamine component, displays exceptional adhesion to diverse surfaces and has been extensively scrutinized for its distinctive attributes. Therefore, the core focus of this review was to approach ecologically friendly packaging materials, specifically investigating the synergy between CNC and PDA. The unparalleled adhesive characteristics of PDA serve as a catalyst for enhancing CNC, thereby elevating the performance of biodegradable polymers with potential implications across various domains.
In this study a nanocomposite namely cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) was produced under laboratory conditions from textile wastes to remove the pollutants [oil, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved suspended solids (DSS), … In this study a nanocomposite namely cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) was produced under laboratory conditions from textile wastes to remove the pollutants [oil, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved suspended solids (DSS), toluene and m-xylene] present in a petrochemical industry wastewater (PCI ww). With the aim of reducing environmental pollution and promoting economic circularity, textile wastes such as fibres, yarn clippings, fabric remnants from factory cuts, and new garments has been shown to be a viable material for nanocellulose extraction, its low cost, high amount in landflls. Nanocellulose extraction from textile waste was performed in two-stage process. Firstly, a purification process for the removal of non-cellulosic components is performed for cellulose fibre isolation then alkaline treatment and bleaching stages were applied. Afterwards, nanocellulose is extracted from cellulose fibrils. SEM analysis showed that CNCs presented a homogeneous structure. FTIR assays exhibited a band at 3422 cm−1 which is attributed to the hydroxyl groups and the band at 2889 cm−1 indicates the carboxylic acids. The XRD pattern of CNCs exibited two main diffraction peaks at 2θ angles of 8° and 18.9°. TGA of the samples exhibited low degrees of carboxyl functionalization. This reduced thermal stability and the degradation temperature. The DTG data for cellulose showed highest extent of carboxyl content in the CNCs samples. The effects of some operational conditions such as increasing of photoremoval time, increasing pH values, increasing pollutant concentrations (oil, DOC, DSS, toluene and m-xylene) and increasing CNCs nanocomposite concentrations on the maximum yields of PCI ww pollutants were investigated. Maximum 99.30% oil, 99.10% DOC, 99.52% DSS, 95.64% toluene, and 99.05% m-xylene removal efficiencies were observed at 100 mg/l CNC nanocomposites concentration, in PCI ww, after 150 min photoremoval time, at pH=7.0, at 1000 mg/l pollutant concentrations, and at 25oC, respectively. Nanocellulose obtained from textile wastes is seen as a sufficient and promising alternative to synthetic polymers, with the advantage of being obtained from renewable and cheap resources and also being used in the production of adequate nanocomposites.
Abstract Background Cellulose, one of the most abundantly available natural polymers, is highly present in the cell walls of plants. Its versatile properties such as low toxicity, mechanical strength, biocompatibility, … Abstract Background Cellulose, one of the most abundantly available natural polymers, is highly present in the cell walls of plants. Its versatile properties such as low toxicity, mechanical strength, biocompatibility, biodegradability make it suitable for use in drug delivery systems. They can be used in various dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, films, and nano- or microparticles among others. Main body of abstract Cellulose-based formulations are often used as excipients also, which helps to deliver the active drug to the body and improve the drug’s stability, solubility, or bioavailability. Cellulose derivatives such as nanocellulose, ethyl cellulose, methylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, bacterial cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, thiolated cellulose, phosphorylated cellulose, sulfated cellulose, and microcrystalline cellulose are commonly used in pharmaceutical formulations. Conclusion This review highlights the formulations, modifications techniques, and preparation methods of various cellulose-based drug delivery systems such as solvent evaporation, wet and dry granulation, solvent casting, electrospinning, and spray drying. It also focuses on the role of modified cellulose-based pharmaceutical formulations for controlled drug release and targeted delivery applications. The challenges and future prospective of cellulose-based drug delivery systems including the scalability and regulatory considerations are also explored.
ABSTRACT The fabrication of cellulose‐based barrier paper by coating base paper with regenerated cellulose is presented. Various concentrations of cellulose solutions and coating weights, akin to conventional polymeric coatings, are … ABSTRACT The fabrication of cellulose‐based barrier paper by coating base paper with regenerated cellulose is presented. Various concentrations of cellulose solutions and coating weights, akin to conventional polymeric coatings, are employed. The coated papers' properties, including morphological changes, mechanical properties, and barrier properties, are evaluated and compared to the reference base paper. It is observed that cellulose concentrations of 6 and 9 wt.% in the coating solution provide good paper coverage, evidenced by a reduction in porosity. The oxygen barrier properties surpass those typically achieved with laminated/extruded polyolefins or cellulose esters. Additionally, enhanced grease barrier properties against hot oil are attained. The tensile indices of the coated papers decrease, likely due to the wetting and redrying process during coating. However, the strain at break shows a slight improvement, and no significant difference is noted in the tear index compared to the reference.