Cellulosic Materials Research Articles

Janus Asymmetric Cellulosic Triboelectric Materials Enabled by Gradient Nano‐Doping Strategy

AbstractThe rapid development of wearable electronic devices has posed higher demands on the design strategies of advanced sensing materials. Multidimensional functionality and energy self‐sufficiency have consistently been focal points in the field of wearable sensing. The construction of biomimetic nanostructures in sensing materials can endow sensors with intrinsic response characteristics and derivative performance. Here, inspired by the Janus structure and function of human skin, a gradient nano‐doping strategy is proposed for developing cellulosic triboelectric materials with biomimetic‐ordered Janus asymmetric structures. This strategy integrates the complementary advantages of internal components and structures to meet the complex requirements of self‐powered sensing materials. The triboelectric material simultaneously achieves high electrical output power (2.37 W m−2), excellent mechanical properties (withstanding tensile forces over 20 080 times its weight), and thermal conductivity. The wearable self‐powered wireless sensing system designed accordingly demonstrates excellent sensitivity (27.3 kPa−1) and sustained performance fidelity (15 000 cycles), faithfully recording human motion training information. This research holds significant research value and practical implications for the material structure, mechanical properties, and application platforms of wearable electronic devices.

Fate of a water drop in a cellulosic material

Fate of a water drop in a cellulosic material

The Utilization of <i>Gracilaria</i> sp. as Raw Material for Cellulose in Cellulose Acetate-Nickel Oxide (CA-NiO) as Electrode for Energy Storage Technology

The Utilization of <i>Gracilaria</i> sp. as Raw Material for Cellulose in Cellulose Acetate-Nickel Oxide (CA-NiO) as Electrode for Energy Storage Technology

Biodegradability of cellulose fibers, films, and particles: A Review

Cellulose fibers are an abundant material that is well known for its biodegradability. Various forms of cellulose, such as cotton, paper pulp fibers, and microcrystalline cellulose can be regarded as benchmarks for biodegradability, when comparing other materials. However, as revealed by the literature, broad ranges of time and extent of biodegradation have been reported for cellulose. These large ranges can be attributed not only to environmental factors but also to the presence of lignin, the degree and perfection of crystallinity, the size and density of the physical specimens, and chemical modifications to the cellulose, if any. Studies also have shown differences in biodegradability associated with the selection of test methods. Although cellulose is subject to well-known enzyme-promoted mechanisms of biodegradation, the evolution of plant materials has favored development of some resistance to decay, i.e. recalcitrance. Cellulosic materials are clearly less biodegradable than starch. However, they are more biodegradable than various synthetic or bio-based plastics, as well as some cellulose derivatives, which persist in ocean water or soils for very long periods. This review indicates that cellulose biodegradability, while generally rapid and natural, has a rate and extent that depends on a complex and sometimes subtle set of environmental and chemical factors.

One-step green synthesis durable flame-retardant, antibacterial and dyeable cellulose fabrics with a recyclable deep eutectic solvent.

The development of cellulose fabrics with good flame retardancy and durability has been a primary concern for in firefighting clothing. A recyclable ternary deep eutectic solvent (TDES) was used to prepare surface ammonium phosphate-modified cellulose fabrics (SACF). The incorporation of ammonium phosphate groups notably enhanced the durable flame retardancy of cellulose fabrics. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) of SACF could reach 48 %, and remain at 33.5 % even after 50 laundering cycles (LCs). And the TDES can be recovered and reused for 5 cycles and the SACF still remains flame retardancy. It also exhibited excellent antibacterial properties (with an antibacterial rate of 99.79 % against E. coli) and dyeability with cationic dyes. Moreover, the flame-retardant of the SACF did not decrease after dyed and showed both condensed-phase and gas-phase flame-retardant mechanisms during combustion. This method for producing flame-retardant cellulose fabrics with recyclable TDES effectively reduces the use of chemical reagents and holds promise for application in eco-friendly manufacturing and firefighting garments.

Dialdehyde Cellulose Fabric Membranes Enable Chemical Adsorption of Amino-Containing Dyes for Wastewater Treatment

Dialdehyde cellulose fabric (DACF) membranes with varying degrees of oxidation were fabricated using periodate oxidation and were employed for the chemical adsorption of amino-groups containing dyes from wastewater. The aldehyde group contents of DACF membranes were adjusted by altering oxidation time, which was confirmed by titration experiments. The chemical structure and morphology of DACF membranes were characterized using ATR-FTIR, TGA, SCA, SEM, XPS, and XRD measurements. The optimized DACF membrane, which was treated for an oxidation time of 24 h and has an aldehyde content of 2.97 mmol/g, was used for the chemical adsorption of amino-containing dye molecules. This process relies on the Schiff base reaction between the amino groups of the target dye molecule and the aldehyde groups of the membrane. Two typical cationic dyes, fuchsin basic and chrysoidine, containing aromatic amino groups, were chosen to determine the adsorption capacity of the DACF membrane. The adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and thermal dynamics of the DACF membrane were investigated comprehensively, while both pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetics models fit well, indicating the complicated chemical/diffusion adsorption process, where the hydrophobic properties of the DACF membrane retarded the adsorption rate. The maximum adsorption capacities of the DACF membrane against fuchsin basic and chrysoidine were 108.69 and 46.29 mg/g, respectively, as determined by Langmuir isotherm simulations. Various competing ions such as Na+, Ca2+, Cl−, and SO42− at high concentrations of 10,000 ppm were used to challenge the adsorption capability of the DACF membrane, with negligible effects observed. A new adsorption mechanism based on chemical/diffusion interaction was proposed. Bovine serum albumin (BSA), fuchsin basic, and chrysoidine were mixed to simulate the multicomponent wastewater containing dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and demonstrated the adsorption process; the direct adsorption capacity of the DACF membrane was up to 63.0%. This work offers a new method for the highly efficient removal of organic pollutants by a chemical reaction approach.

Cost-Effective Production of Bacterial Cellulose and Tubular Materials by Cultivating Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans B-11267 on a Molasses Medium.

An original design of a simple bioreactor was used to fabricate two tubular, 200 cm long BC structures by culturing Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans B-11267 on a molasses medium. In addition, a tubular BC-based biocomposite with improved mechanical properties was obtained by combining cultivation on the molasses medium with in situ chemical modification by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Moreover, the present study investigated the BC production by the K. sucrofermentans B-11267 strain on the media with different molasses concentrations under agitated culture conditions. The dynamics of sugar consumption during the cultivation were studied by HPLC. The structure and physicochemical properties of BC and tubular BC structures were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Thus, the findings indicate that K. sucrofermentans B-11267, when cultivated in a molasses medium, which is such a cheap waste product in the sugar industry, forms a significant amount of BC with a high crystallinity degree. The BC tubular structures demonstrated great potential for their application in biomedicine as artificial blood vessels and conduits for nerve regeneration.

Cellulose-Based Materials and Their Application in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are promising candidates for next-generation energy storage due to their high energy density, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. However, their commercialization is hindered by challenges, such as the polysulfide shuttle effect, lithium dendrite growth, and low electrical conductivity of sulfur cathodes. Cellulose, a natural, renewable, and versatile biopolymer, has emerged as a multifunctional material to address these issues. In anode protection, cellulose-based composites and coatings mitigate dendrite formation and improve lithium-ion diffusion, extending cycle life and enhancing safety. As separators, cellulose materials exhibit high ionic conductivity, thermal stability, and excellent wettability, effectively suppressing the polysulfide shuttle effect and maintaining electrolyte stability. For the cathode, cellulose-derived carbon frameworks and binders improve sulfur loading, conductivity, and active material retention, resulting in higher energy density and cycling stability. This review highlights the diverse roles of cellulose in Li-S batteries, emphasizing its potential to enable sustainable and high-performance energy storage. The integration of cellulose into Li-S systems not only enhances electrochemical performance but also aligns with the goals of green energy technologies. Further advancements in cellulose processing and functionalization could pave the way for its broader application in next-generation battery systems.

Antibacterial and self-cleaning cellulosic fabrics mediated by ecofriendly synthesized selenium and titania nanoparticles

Antibacterial and self-cleaning cellulosic fabrics mediated by ecofriendly synthesized selenium and titania nanoparticles

Impact of individual and amalgamating natural dyes on cellulosic fabrics and comparison of their properties and antimicrobial activity

Impact of individual and amalgamating natural dyes on cellulosic fabrics and comparison of their properties and antimicrobial activity

Improved activity and stability of cellulase by immobilization on Fe3O4 nanoparticles functionalized with Reactive Red 120.

Cellulase is extensively used in the biorefinery of cellulosic materials to fermentable sugars in bioethanol production. Application of cellulase in the free form has disadvantages in enzyme wastage and low stability. The results of the present work showed these drawbacks can be solved by cellulase immobilization on functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with reactive red 120 (RR120) as the affinity ligands. The Fe3O4 MNPs were activated by the chitosan layer and then functionalized with RR120 to attach with cellulase molecules. The evaluation on the attachment indicates a chemical adsorption which well described by Temkin isotherm with the adsorption potential (KT) and an energy constant (B) of 19.83mLmg-1 and 128.1, respectively. The concentration of RR120 and glutaraldehyde addition as a liking agent were examined on the immobilization yield, cellulase loading capacity, and different hydrolytic activities of the prepared biocatalysts. The highest total cellulase activity at about 0.276±0.038 μmolGlucose mgEnzyme-1h-1 (37°C and pH=4.8) was obtained using 2000mgL-1 of RR120 and in the absence of glutaraldehyde. This immobilized cellulase was robust in storage (4°C) for up to 180days and saved 66% of its original activity after 6cycles.

Advances in cellulose materials for interfacial water evaporation and their applications in seawater desalination

Advances in cellulose materials for interfacial water evaporation and their applications in seawater desalination

Uma investigação sobre o impacto da adição combinada de microfibra de celulose e microcelulose cristalina no desempenho dos compósitos de cimento Portland

Abstract The study of the effects of cellulosic materials as additives in matrices based on mineral binders is essential for the development of high-performance and more durable construction materials. In this context, the present research aims to propose composite systems incorporating cellulose microparticles and microfibers into cementitious matrices. The proposed systems were developed using CP V ARI cement, with cellulose microfiber (FC) contents of 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%, along with crystalline microcellulose (MCC) contents of 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8%. The impact of cellulose microfiber and crystalline microcellulose on compressive strength, flexural tensile strength, mineralogy, and microstructure of cementitious composites was evaluated. The gradual increase in the combined additions of cellulose microfiber and crystalline microcellulose led to a reduction in mechanical properties. The diffraction patterns of the FC-MCC cellulose-added composites were similar to those of Portland cement composites without additives. The combinations of FC 0.5-MCC 0.4, FC 1.0-MCC 0.4, and FC 0.5-MCC 0.6 contents promoted a higher degree of hydration, resulting in superior compressive strength performance compared to cementitious composites without these materials.

Enhancing Water Barriers by Protein-Based Surface Treatments for Cellulose-Based Materials

ABSTRACT The global packaging sector has grown consistently, and the use of sustainable materials, including recycled and biodegradable products, is expected to rise. This study focuses on the potential of producing barriers for water and water in moist air (water vapor) from proteins to protect cellulosic materials. Owing to the specific requirements of packaging materials, the main subject of this research was their barrier and strength properties. The scope of this work includes selecting components and their physicochemical treatment to produce functionalized coatings on sprayed paper and pure films, as well as film-coated samples (paper laminated with film). The following tests were used to estimate the hydrophobic, hygroscopic, and strength properties: Cobb absorption, contact angle testing, dynamic vapor sorption, and dynamic mechanical analysis. In most cases, the spray-coated paper and film-coated samples absorbed less liquid water than untreated paper. Wheat gluten protein was the most effective water barrier. In all variants, the vapor sorption, desorption, and hysteresis effects (or the lack thereof) showed significant differences compared to those of cellulosic materials. All variants of the spray-coated and film-coated samples in the dynamic mechanical analysis showed an increase in the strength properties of the samples in comparison to the untreated paper. The increased humidity caused a significant loss in the mechanical properties of all variants, exceeding the strength loss of the untreated control samples.

Cationized Cellulose Materials: Enhancing Surface Adsorption Properties Towards Synthetic and Natural Dyes.

Cellulose is a homopolymer composed of β-glucose units linked by 1,4-beta linkages in a linear arrangement, providing its structure with intermolecular H-bonding networking and crystallinity. The participation of hydroxy groups in the H-bonding network results in a low-to-average nucleophilicity of cellulose, which is insufficient for executing a nucleophilic reaction. Importantly, as a polyhydroxy biopolymer, cellulose has a high proportion of hydroxy groups in secondary and primary forms, providing it with limited aqueous solubility, highly dependent on its form, size, and other materialistic properties. Therefore, cellulose materials are generally known for their low reactivity and limited aqueous solubility and usually undergo aqueous medium-assisted pretreatment methods. The cationization of cellulose materials is one such example of pretreatment, which introduces a positive charge over its surface, improving its accessibility towards anionic group-containing molecules or application-targeted functionalization. The chemistry of cationization of cellulose has been widely explored, leading to the development of various building blocks for different material-based applications. Specifically, in coloration applications, cationized cellulose materials have been extensively studied, as the dyeing process benefits from the enhanced ionic interactions with anionic groups (such as sulfate, carboxylic groups, or phenolic groups), minimizing/eliminating the need for chemical auxiliaries. This study provides insights into the chemistry of cellulose cationization, which can benefit the material, polymer, textile, and color chemist. This paper deals with the chemistry information of cationization and how it enhances the reactivity of cellulose fibers towards its processing.

Removal of Reactive Blue 13 Using Modified Cellulosic Material Based on Rice Husks

The present study deals with the removal efficiency regarding Reactive Blue 13 (RB) of a cationized cellulosic adsorbent prepared from agricultural waste. The rice husks were used as a raw material to extract and separate the cellulose by alkali and bleaching treatment. The cellulosic material was modified with N, N-dimethyl-1-octadecylamine to prepare a cationized adsorbent. The adsorption process was scrutinized across multiple parameters influencing dye removal and was well described by pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models predicting chemically rate-controlled monolayer adsorption. Thermodynamic studies show that the adsorption of RB is spontaneous and endothermic. It was established that the new cationized cellulosic material could serve as an effective adsorbent for the removal of RB from aqueous media.

Behavior of pavement concrete mixture with cellulose materials in the severe environments for sustainability purposes

Concrete mixture is commonly prepared from cement, sand, gravel, and water to obtain the available mix that is easy to work. However, it can be prepared with different materials for better sustainable properties that are appropriate for the severe environments. Meanwhile, the concrete for highway pavement must be prepared with high-performance properties due to dramatic high traffic load and the adverse environmental effects in recent years. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of incorporating biomass waste on concrete performance. This study consisted of the production of concrete mixtures with different percentages of Papyrus Fibers (PF), Date Seeds (DS), and Olive Seeds (OS) after they were converted into powders and mixed with cement in proportions of (3, 5, 7) % by weight of cement. The samples were evaluated for compressive strength after (7, 14, and 28) of curing. The compressive strength was compared with the controlled mix. Results showed that the compressive strength of the mixture comprising PF exhibited (30, 34, 37) MPa at 28 days for percentages of (3, 5, 7) %, respectively, compared with the control mix (namely, 32 MPa). For other additives, DS exhibited (31, 28, 22) MPa, and OS (20, 18, 15) at the same curing ages and the same percentage of additives. Furthermore, the abrasion resistance test results of the 28 days cured samples with different cellulose additive types highlighted that decrement trend exists in the abrasion resistance for both wear depth and weight loss with the addition of OS (5 and 7) % or DS (3, 5 and 7) % and the decrement rate reach above (23%). Thus, adding biomass additives can improve the mechanical and durability properties if accurate optimizing percentages is comprised.

Regenerated cellulosic fabrics having adaptive breathability and sweat transfer functions via temperature-moisture responsive nanocomposite treatment

Regenerated cellulosic fabrics having adaptive breathability and sweat transfer functions via temperature-moisture responsive nanocomposite treatment

Microstructural Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Microcellulose from Bamboo (Bambusa longispatha) for Reinforcing Ordinary Portland Cement Matrix.

This study investigates the microstructural characterization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and microcellulose (MC) extracted from bamboo fibers (Bambusa longispatha) and their potential as reinforcement agents in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) composites. CNC with a mean particle size of 29.3 nm and MC with a mean size of 14.6 × 103 nm were incorporated into OPC at varying concentrations (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% by cement mass). The compressive strength analysis revealed that increasing MC content led to a decrease in strength, with reductions ranging from 8.8% to 25.9% relative to the control OPC, while the CNC-enhanced composite at 0.4% achieved the highest compressive strength of 43.2 MPa. Flexural strength analysis indicated a minor increase in strength with MC addition (from 7.5 MPa to 8.1 MPa), while CNC addition at 0.1% improved flexural strength to 8.2 MPa but declined with higher concentrations. SEM and stereo microscopy demonstrated MC and CNC dispersion and highlighted microstructural differences, including pore distribution in the composites. XRD analysis showed increased crystallinity for CNC composites compared to pure OPC, with the highest crystallinity index of 52.2% observed at 0.4% CNC. This study highlights that CNC at specific concentrations can enhance OPC mechanical properties, while higher MC and CNC additions may impact strength properties variably due to their microstructural integration and crystallinity. These findings support the potential for bamboo-derived cellulose materials in enhancing cementitious composite performance.

Enhancing the Properties of Latex-Based Coatings with Carboxylated Cellulose Nanocrystals.

Latex-based nanocomposites containing carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (cCNCs) were synthesized via in situ seeded semibatch emulsion polymerization. Inspired by nature's use of CNCs to enhance rigidity and mechanical strength in cellulosic materials, we explored similar principles to improve the properties of acrylate water-based coatings. The cCNCs, loaded at 0.3-1.0 wt %, were added 1 h after pre-emulsion feeding began, addressing sensitivity to ionic strength and enabling stable final latexes. Careful control of the polymerization process maintained consistent particle sizes across formulations, allowing for mechanical property comparisons. Films from these latexes were evaluated through rheological and water sensitivity tests. With 1.0 wt % cCNC, significant increases in viscosity, shear-thinning behavior, stiffness, and elastic modulus were observed. Additionally, cCNCs reduced water and moisture absorption without affecting the whitening resistance. These findings demonstrate the enhanced properties of in situ cCNC latex nanocomposites, broadening their potential for industrial applications.