Cellulose Paper Research Articles

High-Performance Sustainable Cellulosic Paper Based on Flame Retardancy Coating with Photothermal Sterilization

High-Performance Sustainable Cellulosic Paper Based on Flame Retardancy Coating with Photothermal Sterilization

Mechanical characteristics and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus of sustainable cellulosic paper coated with Ag and Cu modified ZnO nanoparticles

In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were prepared and modified using a wet chemical method with different concentrations of Ag and Cu nanoparticles. The objective was to improve the mechanical, optical, and antibacterial properties of the coated paper by using the prepared pigments. The long-term antimicrobial effects of the coated paper were evaluated over 25 years. The successful synthesis of a hexagonal structure of ZnO nanoparticles decorated with spherical Ag and Cu nanoparticles ranging from 20 to 50 nm was confirmed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). By increasing the concentrations of Ag and Cu from 0.01% to 1.0%, the mechanical properties of the coated paper were enhanced. The tensile strength reached a maximum of 6.77 kN/m and 7.03 kN/m, elongation increased to 1.69% and 1.70%, tensile energy absorption improved to approximately 77 and 80 J/m2, and burst strength rose to 218 and 219 kPa, respectively. The use of Ag-modified ZnO maintains the optical properties, while Cu-modified ZnO reduces brightness and whiteness without affecting opacity. The antimicrobial inhibition activity was improved with higher silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) content. The formulations containing 1% Ag/ZnO and 1%Cu/ZnO showed long-lasting antibacterial effects against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Even after 25 years of aging, they maintained inhibition rates of 92.2% and 62.2%, respectively. The molecular docking and GeneMANIA analysis revealed the potential of ZnO, Ag-modified ZnO, and Cu-modified ZnO nanoparticles to disrupt the S. aureus cell wall biosynthesis pathway by targeting the MurA enzyme and associated cell wall synthesis genes.

6E evaluation of an innovative humidification dehumidification solar distiller unit: An experimental investigation

This work aims to enhance the productivity, efficiency, energy utilization, feasibility, and environmental outcomes of solar desalination systems via representing an innovative humidification dehumidification solar distillation unit coupled with a built-in air solar heater and photovoltaic thermal unit. The air solar heater was further improved by the incorporation of copper chips as thermal energy-storing materials for extending the desalination process during the sun’s hours. Three distinct humidifier beds, including plastic waste (case A), wick materials (case B), and cellulose paper (case C) were tested and compared regarding system temperatures and hourly and daily drinkable water yield. Additionally, a 6E analysis was assessed and evaluated in terms of energy, exergy, economic, exergoeconomic, exergoenvironmental, and exergoenviroeconomic analysis for all the cases. According to the outcomes, the humidification dehumidification solar distiller with cellulose paper yielded the highest productivity and 6E outcomes where the daily drinkable water, thermal efficiency, and exergy efficiency were estimated as 7.78 L/m2, 73.45 %, and 5.3 %, outperforming the CSD by nearly 142.59 %, 144.02 %, and 229.19 %, respectively. Moreover, the price of drinkable water and the payback time decreased to 0.0099 $/L and 0.12 years, which represents a reduction of 68.27 % and 69.23 %, respectively, at an exergoeconomic factor of 4.19 kWh/$. Furthermore, the amount of CO2 reduced was increased to 3.92 tons, which is associated with earned credits of carbon of 56.78$. Finally, for this case, the HDH humidifier efficiency, dehumidifier effectiveness, and gain output ratio maximum and mean values were 96.66 and 84.5 %, 85.61 and 78.96 %, and 1.86 and 1.08, respectively.

Printing with Natural Dye Extract from Japanese Knotweed Leaves

Invasive alien plants are detrimentally displacing native plant species and pose a challenge in terms of how their overgrowth can be utilized effectively. In our study, the leaves of one of the world’s worst invasive species, Japanese knotweed, were used to produce a green natural dye. This dye was screen-printed onto various substrates, including cotton and polyester fabrics, commercial cellulose papers, and innovative papers made from the stems of Japanese knotweed. The printed substrates were evaluated using color measurements and fastness properties. The aim of the study was also to investigate the influence of additives in the printing inks, such as sodium carbonate, citric acid, copper and aluminum sulfates, on the color and fastness properties of the prints. The colors of the prints obtained varied, ranging from primarily yellowish-green to brownish-yellow with the addition of citric acid, orange-brown with sodium carbonate, orange-yellow with aluminum sulfate, and brown with copper sulfate. The prints had excellent fastness to dry rubbing and moderate fastness to light. The prints of lower and medium dye concentrations on fabrics had very good fastness to wet rubbing and wet ironing, and on cotton even good fastness to washing. The additives in the printing inks, such as sodium carbonate and metal sulfates, reduced the abrasion resistance of the prints on paper and the wet fastness of the prints on fabrics, but only the metal sulfates had a positive effect on the light fastness of the prints.

Paper‐based sensors for real‐time cure monitoring in the production of glass fiber‐reinforced phenol‐formaldehyde composites for aerospace interiors

AbstractThe aerospace industries demand for advanced materials necessitates stringent quality control measures, particularly for composite structures to ensure optimal curing and structural integrity. Traditional methods like differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis, while useful, are limited to laboratory settings. This study explores the use of a printed paper‐based sensor for real‐time cure monitoring of glass fiber‐reinforced phenol‐formaldehyde (PF/GF) prepregs. The sensor, composed of a cellulose paper substrate with screen‐printed electrodes, offers flexibility, ease of integration, and cost‐effectiveness compared to commercial polymer‐based dielectric sensors. Real‐time monitoring with the printed paper‐based sensor was conducted at temperatures ranging from 130 to 180°C, both with and without pressure, and validated against DSC and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed a strong correlation between real‐time monitoring and the DSC prediction model, as well as FTIR spectroscopy. Notably, the real‐time monitoring revealed a shorter curing cycle on the production line than the predicted cure kinetic model, which is crucial for large‐scale production, such as fabricating honeycomb panels for aircraft interiors. This research underscores the importance of innovative sensor technologies in improving quality control and manufacturing efficiency in aerospace composites.Highlights Cure Monitoring of PF‐based prepregs was carried out using paper‐based sensor. Sensor offered reproducibility and seamless integration in composites. Sensor data showed a strong correlation with DSC and FTIR spectroscopy results. Paper sensors enable online monitoring of composite in aerospace manufacturing.

Cu2O/H2Ti3O7/Cellulose biohybrid film with efficient photocatalytic and antibacterial activities in solar-driven environmental decontamination

Increasing efforts have been devoted to cellulose-based multifunctional biomaterials for environmental applications. In this study, solvothermal method combined with impregnation reduction process of Cu2+ has been developed to create versatile Cu2O/H2Ti3O7/CP (cellulose paper) biocomposite films that demonstrates efficacy in treating wastewater from organic compounds, disinfecting it from microbes and also purifying the air from volatile organic compounds (VOCs). H2Ti3O7 nanosheets decorated with Cu2O nanoparticles exhibit an excellent visible-light responsibility. Furthermore, the Cu2O/H2Ti3O7/CP biocomposite film demonstrated enhanced efficacy in removing aniline in the liquid phase and 1-propanol in the gaseous phase compared to the H2Ti3O7/CP. This enhanced photocatalytic activity is primarily due to the synergistic effect between Cu2O and H2Ti3O7, which suppresses the recombination of charge carriers and improves their mobility. Reuse tests confirm the stability of the prepared hybrid photocatalyst. Moreover, the biocomposite exhibits good antimicrobial properties, which contributed to the effective inactivation of Escherichia coli. This proves its versatility as a photocatalyst for a broad range of biological and environmental applications.

Study of adsorption potential of cellulose paper for abusable prescription drug analysis: A practical and sustainable approach validated by BAGI and ComplexMoGAPI tools

This study develops a green and sustainable analytical method using cellulose paper sorptive extraction (CPSE) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine dextromethorphan, tramadol, clozapine, and zolpidem in urine. The method involves immersing five 1" × 1" cellulose papers in diluted urine (0.5 mL urine diluted to 10 mL) to adsorb the drugs at 250 rpm for 45 minutes, followed by desorption with 2 mL methanol at 200 rpm for 10 minutes and subsequent GC-MS analysis. Key parameters, including the number and size of filter papers, elution solvent type and volume, extraction and elution times and speeds, sample pH, and ionic strength, were extensively optimized. Validation according to SWGTOX guidelines demonstrated excellent linearity (0.05–1 µg mL-1, R² > 0.999), high precision (RSD < 11.1%), and accuracy (85.1-113.6%). Sensitivity was high, with LODs ranging from 0.010- 0.013 µg mL-1 and LOQs from 0.033-0.043 µg mL-1. The method was successfully applied to blind urine samples, confirming its practical utility in forensic toxicology. Greenness assessment using ComplexMoGAPI and practicality evaluation using Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI) yielded high scores (81 and 70), underscoring the method's environmental sustainability and fitness for purpose, positioning it as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional extraction methods.

Fabrication of hydrophobic cellulosic paper via physical vapor deposition of alkenyl succinic anhydride.

While plant fibers are abundant and biodegradable natural polymers, their high hydrophilicity often limits their applicability. To broaden the applicability of plant fiber materials across diverse fields, the present study employed cellulosic paper as a substrate and alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) as a low surface free energy material to fabricate a series of hydrophobic cellulosic papers (ASAP, ASA-P@Si, ASA-P@Ca, and ASA-P@Ti) through surface coating and physical vapor deposition of ASA. The results demonstrated that, in comparison to uncoated cellulosic paper, the coated variants exhibited significantly improved hydrophobicity. Notably, ASA-P@Si demonstrated superior hydrophobic performance with a contact angle of 140.90° and a sizing degree of 7.2 s, thereby meeting the requirements for specific fine paper grades. In contrast to the traditional ASA internal sizing process, the method in this study necessitates only approximately one-tenth of the conventional ASA internal sizing agent to achieve or even exceed the hydrophobic properties of paper attainable with ASA inter sizing process. Furthermore, the mechanism through which hydrophobic properties are conferred to paper can be elucidated by its surface roughness and low surface free energy, distinguishing it from the traditional ASA internal sizing approach.

Double-layer microencapsulation of ammonium polyphosphate and its enhancement on the hydrophobicity and flame retardancy of cellulose paper.

Cellulose paper is a flammable and hygroscopic material, which limits its application. In this paper, melamine-formaldehyde resin (MF) and silane coupling agents were used to microencapsulate ammonium polyphosphate (Si@MFAPP) in turn and added to the fibers suspension to prepare hydrophobic and flame-retardant cellulose paper. It was found that the surface of the ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was smooth with the water solubility of 0.24 g/100 mL. After microencapsulation with MF, the surface of MFAPP became rough, and the solubility was reduced to 0.1 g/100 mL. When further encapsulation with polysiloxanes, the surface showed significantly higher roughness, and a lotus leaf-like microspherical structure was formed. Specifically, its solubility decreased to 0.04 g/100 mL. In addition, the residual char weight of Si@MFAPP at 800 °C was increased from 25.27 % to 38.56 %. The water contact angle (WCA) of MFAPP/Pulp increased from 84.23° to 90.78°, and the limiting oxygen index (LOI) increased from 31.8 % to 34.1 %, meaning that the flame retardancy was obviously raised. The WCA of Si@MFAPP/Pulp enhanced to 96.45°, and the LOI was 34.5 %, meaning that the hydrophobicity was further raised. Therefore, Si@MFAPP significantly improved the flame-retardancy and hydrophobicity of the cellulose paper.

Humidity-induced self-powered photodetection through Bi2Te3/MoS2 nanohybrid material deposited on a flexible substrate

Harvesting energy from humidity is an environmentally friendly technology. In arid regions, instead of negative impact of humidity, it is also feasible to capture water from the air, making our device suitable without the need for any external power supply. Self-powered photodetectors are in high demand due to their low power consumption and suitability for wearable electronics. Herein, we have incorporated Bi2Te3 nanosheets with MoS2 on a flexible and biodegradable cellulose paper substrate to create the device. According to XPS analysis, Bi 4F7/2 and Bi 4F5/2 levels were identified at binding energies of 157.62 eV and 162.90 eV, respectively indicating double splitting of the Bi atoms. In such a novel Bi2Te3/MoS2 nanohybrid photodetector, rapid electron transfer at Bi2Te3 and MoS2 interface occurs due to humidity, significantly enhancing performance of the photodetectors in the UV spectral range. This performance is better as compared to conventional MoS2-based photodetector, exploiting the unique properties of topological insulator Bi2Te3. The device demonstrated the highest responsivity of 19.1 A/W and detectivity of 7.81×1011 Jones, exhibiting significant responsivity of 3.74 mA/W and detectivity of 9.59×109 Jones even at 0 V with minimum optical signal of 68.9 μW/cm2. It also offers the highest external quantum efficiency of 6471.29%.

Responsive integration performed by laser-induced Er3+ structural doping and graphene nanoplatelets

Laser-induced preparation method has the advantages of high efficiency, high yield, no ionic diffusion restriction and competitive side reaction, which can prepare diversified composite materials based on small-scale and distributed characteristics. Besides, integrating multiple performance and conducting inductive feedback are helpful for the reliability and calibration of laser-induced materials in the precision field. Herein, responsive integration is designed based on graphene nanoplatelets/ZnSe:Er3+ composite with optical, electrical, thermal and visual properties for real-time feedback. Er3+ ions doped ZnSe is obtained by fast laser-induced method, combined with two-dimensional graphene nanoplatelets and assembled into temperature-sensitive polyimide and cellulose paper, realizing the characteristics of photoelectric conversion and photothermal conversion. Besides, red fluorescence guiding perceptual behavior can also be produced under the radiation of NIR laser. Based on the proposed composite, bionic flower is constructed, and exhibits good motion features in blooming. Meanwhile, large curvature bending, high thermal sensitivity and strong fluorescence emission are also revealed. Such performance combination design provides a convenient approach for multi signals cross feedback in soft actuator, which strengthens the monitoring and guidance of motion perceptions, and can be potentially applied in diversified fields.

Device-Free Colorimetric Sensing of Lead in Water by Kinetically Trapping Lead(II) Rhodizonate into a Solid-solution of Cellulose Paper

Device-Free Colorimetric Sensing of Lead in Water by Kinetically Trapping Lead(II) Rhodizonate into a Solid-solution of Cellulose Paper

Copper nano metal-organic framework paper-based sensor for dual optical detection of biogenic amines to evaluate the food freshness

The improvement of food safety and the reduction of food loss and waste require the development of new bioanalytical tools that provide chemical information about the composition of food that is of great value for improving traceability and extending the shelf life of food. Herein, a Cu-based metal-organic framework has been synthesized and immobilized onto cellulose paper disks for colorimetric and fluorescent detection and quantification of biogenic amines in food. The color of the nano metal-organic framework changes from green to brown in the presence of low amounts of biogenic amine vapors. Also, the fluorescence emission of the nano metal-organic framework greatly decreases after exposing the cellulose disks to amine vapors. The developed sensing paper disk exhibits a quick response to the presence of volatile biogenic amines, very low detection limits, and great selectivity. Also, the paper sensor was used for real-time monitoring of biogenic amines in bass samples at different temperature conditions, being a highly valuable method for evaluating food freshness and safeguarding food safety.

Multilayer patch functionalized microfibrillated cellulosic paper sensor for sweat glucose monitoring.

Electrochemical analysis of glucose monitoring without painful blood collection provides a new noninvasive route for monitoring glucose levels. Thus, in this study, biobased cellulosic papers (methylated and phosphorylated one) based glucose monitoring sensor is developed. To achieve high hydrophilicity, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) were functionalized using hexokinase mediated phosphorylation (-OH to -[Formula: see text]). The instinctive increased surface charge density from 36.2 ± 3.4 to 118.4 ± 1.2 µmol/g and decrease contact angle (45°-22°) confirms the increased hydrophilicity of paper. Furthermore, functionalized phos-MFC paper increase the capillary flow of sweat, required low quantity (1µl) of sweat for accurate analysis of glucose level. Additionally, chemically induced methyl groups (-CH3) make the sensor more barrier to other chemicals. In addition, a multilayer patch design combined with sensor miniaturization was used to lead to an increase in the efficiency of the sweat collection and sensing processes. Besides, this paper sensor integrated with artificial transdermal drug delivery unit (agarose gel as skin) for monitoring glucose levels in sweat. The patch monitoring system increase the accuracy of sensing with fluctuation in sweat vol. (1-4µl), temperature (20-70 °C), and pH (4.0-7.0). In addition, temperature dependency artificial transdermal delivery (within agarose gel) of drug metformin agrees the measurement accuracy of sensor, called "switch system" without any error. As a result, the reported MFC paper based multi-patch disposable sensing system provides a novel closed-loop solution for the noninvasive sweat-based management of diabetes mellitus.

Production of Ag nanowires with high yield and narrow size distribution by promoting nucleation through hot injection and their application to disposable paper electrodes

The polyol method has been the most commonly used technique for fabricating silver nanowires (Ag NWs), wherein additive reagents facilitate precise control over their morphology. In this work, we introduced a straightforward approach to synthesize Ag NWs with minimal impurities and uniform diameter by using hot injection method. The underlying mechanism and final product are evaluated, and the scalable process was optimized to achieve a high yield (∼87.8 %). It was found that the hot injection of a Ag precursor at 170 °C significantly accelerated the reduction of Ag ions. The issue of the uniformity of Ag NWs was addressed by adding an organic halide to control the nucleation rate of Ag. The resulting Ag NWs solution was used to impregnated cellulose paper, forming an enhanced electrical network compared to other substrates. Given the low commercial cost of paper, this approach holds significant potential for widespread use in disposable electrodes. Furthermore, after subjecting the fabricated paper electrodes to various forms of damage, the connected LED bulbs consistently maintained their brightness. This demonstrates the network stability and suitability of these electrodes for flexible applications.

Thermo-chemical upcycling of cellulosic paper packaging waste into furfural and bio-fuel catalyst

The extensive use of fossil fuels and chemicals has resulted in substantial emissions of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2), which in turn have triggered global warming. As a proactive response, converting waste into energy and chemicals is a paramount importance. To maximize carbon utilization, implementing a thermo-chemical process for waste valorization is a promising approach owing to its high tolerance for the intrinsic heterogeneity of waste materials. Thus, the development of thermo-chemical processes that exhibit high productivity and selectivity for valorized products should be prioritized. In this study, we focused on the pyrolysis of paper packaging waste (PPW) as a case study to address these challenges. To enhance the production of syngas and furfural, PPW was pretreated with ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) before undergoing pyrolysis. Slow and fast pyrolysis were conducted to characterize the production of syngas and bio-oil, respectively. The pretreatment of PPW with FeSO4 increases syngas production, attributed to the catalytic properties of iron (Fe). Bio-oil derived from FeSO4-treated PPW contained more homogenized chemicals compared with that from untreated PPW. Furfural selectivity reached 51.1 % when PPW pretreated with FeSO4 (10 wt% of Fe relative to PPW) was pyrolyzed at 600 ˚C. Additionally, biochar produced from FeSO4-treated PPW exhibited a porous carbon structure with a high surface area (123.8 m2 g−1) and was rich in minerals, such as Fe and calcium (Ca). This biochar catalytically enhanced the reaction kinetics of thermally induced transesterification of soybean oil, resulting in a biodiesel yield of 88.7 % at 350 ˚C. The findings of this study offer a practical approach to establishing a sustainable and carbon-neutral platform for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products.

Aktivitas Antirayap Kulit Batang dan Akar Tumbuhan Kokosan (Lansium domesticum cv Kokossan) Terhadap Rayap Tanah (Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren)

Kokosan (Lansium domesticum cv Kokossan) is one of the Meliaceae family plants known to produce various compounds with various activities. The Meliaceae family is known to have fruit seeds with a bitter taste that can be utilized as an antifeedant in insects. However, research on the bioactivity and content of secondary metabolites in the roots and bark of kokosan as termiticides against subterranean termites has never been reported. This study aims to determine the content of secondary metabolite compounds and test the anti-termite activity of extracts and fractions of kokosan root and stem bark against Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren termites. Root and stem bark powder were macerated separately using methanol solvent and then fractionated to obtain n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol fractions (residue). Each extract and fraction was fed to termites through cellulose paper at a concentration of 5% for 3 days. Based on the results of phytochemical tests on extracts and fractions from the roots and bark of kokosan, it is known to contain alkaloid, flavonoid, terpenoid, and phenolic compound groups. The results of the anti-termite activity test are based on the percentage mortality value obtained by the methanol extract of the most active root with a value of 97.2% and paper weight loss of only 6.92%. In the ethyl acetate fraction of the roots, mortality was 84.4% and paper weight loss was 2.38%, and the n-hexane fraction of the stem bark showed mortality of 87.6% and paper weight loss of 2.20%. The kokosan root obtained has the most active activity against Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren.

Berlin Green-Coated Cellulose Paper for Hydrovoltaic Electricity and Solar Steam Cogeneration

Berlin Green-Coated Cellulose Paper for Hydrovoltaic Electricity and Solar Steam Cogeneration

Optically Active, Paper-Based Scaffolds for 3D Cardiac Pacing.

In this work, we report the design and fabrication of a light-addressable, paper-based nanocomposite scaffold for optical pacing and read-out of in vitro grown cardiac tissue. The scaffold consists of paper cellulose microfibers functionalized with gold nanorods (GNRs) and semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), embedded in a cell-permissive collagen matrix. The GNRs enable cardiomyocyte activity modulation through local temperature gradients induced by modulated near-infrared (NIR) laser illumination, with the local temperature changes reported by temperature-dependent QD photoluminescence (PL). The micrometer-sized paper fibers promote the tubular organization of HL-1 cardiac muscle cells, while the NIR plasmonic stimulation modulates reversibly their activity. Given the nanoscale spatial resolution and facile fabrication, paper-based nanocomposite scaffolds with NIR modulation offer excellent alternatives to electrode-based or optogenetic methods for cell activity modulation, at the single cell level, and are compatible with 3D tissue constructs. Such paper-based optical platforms can provide new possibilities for the development of in vitro drug screening assays and heart disease modeling.

Improved mechanical and thermal performance of bacterial cellulose paper through cationic cassava starch addition

Cationic particles are commonly used as wet-end additives in papermaking processes. This study evaluates the effects of cationic cassava starch (CCS) on the mechanical strength of paper made from bacterial cellulose (BC). Acetobacter xylinum was utilised in the production of bacterial cellulose (BC) paper, whereas 3‑chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CHPTAC) was employed in the etherification process of cassava starch to synthesize CCS. Papers containing CCS displayed a more compact surface structure compared to traditional wood-based papers, reaching a brightness level of 97.3 and improving thermal and mechanical characteristics, such as higher tensile strength and is suitable for use as a separator in battery fabrication processes. The results emphasise the possibility of using CCS as a sustainable option in paper production, offering enhanced environmental and mechanical efficiency.