Cellulose Derivatives Research Articles

Insight into the preparation and improved properties of cellulose citrate ester hydrogel slow-release fertilizer

The development of new fertilizers with significant water retention capacity and sustainable nutrient supplementation for arid and semi-arid regions remains an important challenge. In this study, a novel slow-release fertilizer (CCEH-SRF) based on cellulose citrate ester (CCE), which is low-cost and biocompatible, was developed using epoxy chloropropane (ECH) as a cross-linker and urea as a fertilizer. The CCEH-SRF exhibited higher water swelling (21.58 g·g−1) and water retention capacity (20.69 % in 7 days) compared to the neat cellulose hydrogel (CH). Furthermore, the CCEH-SRF demonstrated improved release performance with cumulative slow-release rates of 48.0 % at 2 hours in water, and 5.3 %, 65.9 %, and 66.7 % after 1 day, 26 days, and 35 days respectively in simulated soil column percolation assays, whereas the CH-based SRF had inferior release performance. The nutrient slow-release of CCEH-SRF followed the First-order kinetic model and Fick diffusion process accurately. Additionally, the developed CCEH-SRF showed positive growth promotion effects on maize seedlings, indicating its promising practical applicability. Therefore, this work provides a novel approach for developing environmentally friendly SRFs by utilizing natural cellulose derivatives from readily available agricultural waste in fields such as waste reuse, sustainable agriculture, and horticulture.

Responsive circularly polarized ultralong room temperature phosphorescence materials with easy-to-scale and chiral-sensing performance

Circularly polarized room temperature phosphorescence materials represent a state-of-the-art frontier of optical materials and exhibit promising applications in various fields. Herein, we fabricate a series of full-color circularly polarized room temperature phosphorescence materials, based on anionic cellulose derivatives and achiral luminophores. The ionic achiral substituents promote the spontaneous formation of chiral helical structure of cellulose derivatives via the electrostatic repulsion effect. There are multiple interactions between anionic cellulose derivatives and the doped luminophores, thus the chirality is transferred to luminophores and the non-radiative transition is inhibited. The resultant materials can be easily processed into large-scale film and flexible 3D objects with repeatable folding and curling properties. In addition, their phosphorescence performance shows to be excitation-dependence, time-dependence, visible-light excitation, and multi-responsiveness to humidity, temperature as well as pH value. Importantly, they recognize many enantiomers in an instrument-free visual mode, including amino acids, hydroxyl acids, organic phosphate and hydrobenzoin. These results provide insights into design of advanced optical materials which can be applied in multilevel information handling and chiral sensing.

Single-Component Cellulose Acetate Sulfate Hydrogels for Direct Ink Writing 3D Printing.

Hydrogels, typically favored for 3D printing due to their viscoelasticity, are now trending toward ecofriendly alternatives amid growing environmental concerns. In this study, we crafted cellulose-based hydrogels, specifically employing cellulose acetate sulfate (CAS). By keeping the acetyl group substitution degree (DSacetyl = 1.8) and CAS molecular weight constant, we varied rheological properties by adjusting sulfate group substitution (DSsulfate = 0.4, 0.7, and 1.0) and CAS concentration (2-5 wt %). Rheological characterizations, including shear-thinning, yield stress, and thixotropy, were performed to identify optimal conditions for formulating CAS hydrogel ink in direct ink writing for 3D printing under selected experimental conditions. Based on rheological findings, CAS hydrogels with DSsulfate 0.7 and concentration of 4 wt % was used for 3D printing, with subsequent evaluation of printing metrics. Additionally, the effect of ionic cross-linking using Ca2+ ions on the structural integrity of 3D-printed structures was evaluated, demonstrating effective preservation through reinforced polymer networks. The shrinking and swelling behaviors of the 3D-printed structures were also significantly affected by this ionic cross-linking. Building on these findings, this work could broaden the range of cellulose derivatives available for the preparation of cellulose-based hydrogels for 3D printing.

Optimization of synthesis method for carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) from agro-food wastes by response surface methodology (RSM) using D-Optimal algorithm

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) has wide commercial applicability for oil drilling fluids, cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical industries, but the current industrial process for its synthesis from eucalyptus wood has low sustainability and efficiency. This work reports the statistical optimization for the synthesis of CMC from waste biomass celluloses with special reactivity, extracted from sugarcane bagasse (SB) and corn cob (CC). The combined mild acid/peroxide-alkali (APA) treatment, followed by bleaching, was efficient for the extraction of low-crystallinity pulps, which were further converted into CMC. A set of carboxymethylation tests with variable reaction conditions determined by a D-Optimal design of experiments (DoE) were carried out by assessing the factors Activation Time (AT), Reaction Time (RT), NaOH concentration (NaOH%) and Cellulose (SBCel or CCel). Characteristic CMC absorption features were observed via FTIR and Raman spectra, and the deconvolution of X-ray diffractograms showed that the mild APA treatment is able to produce pulps with significant content of amorphous and type II celluloses, whose have higher reactivity and reflects in the optimal results of the DoE. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and response surface methodology (RSM) results from DoE data proved with high precision (F=184.81; p-value<0.0001; R2=0.9911; SD<1.0×10–5) and accuracy (low regression residuals) that the waste celluloses extracted are promising to produce CMC under milder conditions in comparison to literature, yielding up to 227 % (w CMC/w cellulose) of water-soluble CMC at lower AT and RT. The optimized process is more sustainable, low-cost, and efficient for producing this high valued-added cellulose derivative in the concept of biorefinery.

Stereoselective Crystallization of Chiral Pharmaceuticals Aided by Cellulose Derivatives through Helical Pattern Matching.

Stereoselective inhibition aided by "tailor-made" polymeric additives is an efficient approach to obtain enantiopure compounds through conglomerate crystallization. The chemical and configurational match between the side groups of polymers and the molecules of undesired enantiomer is considered to be a necessary condition for successful stereoseparation. Whereas in this contribution, we present an effective resolution of chiral pharmaceuticals by using cellulose acetates as the additives, which stereoselectively reside on the specific crystal faces of one enantiomer and inhibit its crystal nucleation and growth through helical pattern and supramolecular interaction complementarity. An investigation of nimodipine serves as a case study to highlight the novelty of this strategy wherein R-crystals exhibiting an impressive enantiomeric excess value of 97 % can be attained by employing a mere 0.01 wt % cellulose acetate. Guaifenesin and phenyl lactic acid are also well-resolved by utilizing this methodology. Our work not only brings about a brand-new design strategy for "tailor-made" additives, but will also promote the further exploration of the endless potential for utilizing natural biomolecules in chiral recognition and resolution.

Electrospun Nano-Porous Cellulose Acetate Membrane Casted with Chitosan for Solid-State Sodium-Ion Batteries

Emerging as a safe and economically viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries, the solid-state sodium ion battery (ss-SIB) has captured increasing attention as a transformative technology for realizing a decarbonized economy and ensuring a sustainable energy supply. Here we report a nanoarchitecture strategy of biodegradable, biocompatible, and naturally abundant cellulose derivative (cellulose acetate, CA) and chitosan (CH) biopolymer-based nano-porous electrospun composite electrolyte (ECE) for flexible and wearable ss-SIBs. A simple combination of electrospinning and solution casting was utilized to fabricate mechanically robust (13.76 MPa), thin-film (0.067 mm), highly flexible, and high room temperature Na-ion conductive (1.04 x 10-4 S.cm-2) ECE. Lower activation energy (Ea = 0.13 eV) indicates easy charge carrier diffusion ability of as prepared ECE. The electrochemical stability window (ESW = 3.45 V) of ECE is studied by the linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) with respect to stainless steel and sodium metal electrodes. Uniform galvanostatic Na plating and stripping at room temperature is observed over 900 hrs at 0.5 mA•cm-2 current density in symmetric (Na|ECE|Na) cell performance, this underscores impressive electrochemical stability and compatibility with sodium metal. Using Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) as cathode, ECE, and Na metal as anode in the full cell, specific discharge capacity of 83 mA×h×g-1 at room temperature was attained at 0.1 C rate, highlighting the practical applicability of the nanostructured electrospun composite electrolyte for flexible and wearable ss-SIBs. Keywords Cellulose acetate, chitosan, electrospun, solid-state sodium-ion battery, specific discharge capacity.

Multiscale Computational Study of Cellulose Acetate-Water Miscibility: Insights from Molecularly Informed Field-Theoretic Modeling.

Cellulose acetate (CA), a prominent water-soluble derivative of cellulose, is a promising biodegradable ingredient that has applications in films, membranes, fibers, drug delivery, and more. In this work, we present a molecularly informed field-theoretic model for CA to explore its phase behavior in aqueous solutions. By integrating atomistic details into large-scale field-theoretic simulations via the relative entropy coarse-graining framework, our approach enables efficient calculations of CA's miscibility window as a function of the degree of substitution (DS) of cellulose hydroxyl groups with acetate side chains. This allows us to capture the intricate phase behavior of CA, particularly its unique miscibility at intermediate substitution, without relying on experimental input. Additionally, the model directly probes CA solution behavior specific to the relative DS at C2, C3, and C6 alcohol sites, providing insights for the rational design of water-soluble CA for diverse applications. This work demonstrates a promising integration of molecularly informed field theories, complementing wet-lab experimentation, for engineering the next-generation polymeric materials with precisely tailored properties.

Stability of Paracetamol Amorphized by Co-Melting with Various Cellulose Derivatives

Stability of Paracetamol Amorphized by Co-Melting with Various Cellulose Derivatives

6-Carboxycellulose Acetate Butyrate: Effectiveness as an Amorphous Solid Dispersion Polymer.

Amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) in a polymer matrix is a powerful method for enhancing the solubility and bioavailability of otherwise crystalline, poorly water-soluble drugs. 6-Carboxycellulose acetate butyrate (CCAB) is a relatively new commercial cellulose derivative that was introduced for use in waterborne coating applications. As CCAB is an amphiphilic, carboxyl-containing, high glass transition temperature (Tg) polymer, characteristics essential to excellent ASD polymer performance, we chose to explore its ASD potential. Structurally diverse drugs quercetin, ibuprofen, ritonavir, loratadine, and clarithromycin were dispersed in CCAB matrices. We evaluated the ability of CCAB to create ASDs with these drugs and its ability to provide solubility enhancement and effective drug release. CCAB/drug dispersions prepared by spray drying were amorphous up to 25 wt % drug, with loratadine remaining amorphous up to 50% drug. CCAB formulations with 10% drug proved effective at providing in vitro solubility enhancement for the crystalline flavonoid drug quercetin as well as ritonavir, but not for the more soluble APIs ibuprofen and clarithromycin and the more hydrophobic loratadine. CCAB did provide slow and controlled release of ibuprofen, offering a simple and promising Long-duration ibuprofen formulation. Formulation with clarithromycin showed the ability of the polymer to protect against degradation of the drug at stomach pH. Furthermore, CCAB ASDs with both loratadine and ibuprofen could be improved by the addition of the water-soluble polymer poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), with which CCAB shows good miscibility. CCAB provided solubility enhancement in some cases, and the slower drug release exhibited by CCAB, especially in the stomach, could be especially beneficial, for example, in formulations containing known stomach irritants like ibuprofen.

Polybenzoxazine/Epoxy Copolymer Reinforced with Phosphorylated Microcrystalline Cellulose: Curing Behavior, Thermal, and Flame Retardancy Properties

This study aims to explore new flame-retardant composites based on a phosphorus-functionalized cellulose derivative and epoxy/benzoxazine thermosetting resins in order to broaden the use of natural fibers in advanced applications. The study involved the phosphorylation of microcrystalline cellulose followed by its characterization through employing various analytical methods to corroborate the accomplishment of its functionalization. The curing behavior of composites based on the polybenzoxazine/epoxy copolymer reinforced with (1 and 5 wt.%) modified microcrystalline cellulose was hereafter considered. The thermal behavior of these composites was correspondingly investigated using thermogravimetric analysis, where improved thermal stability and the limiting oxygen index were stressed. Flame retardancy tests using the vertical burning test UL 94 and heat of combustion analysis utilizing an oxygen bomb calorimeter were also carried out to deeply examine the possible flame retardancy ability of the considered composites.

FACILE SYNTHESIS OF CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE (CMC) FROM AGRICULTURAL RESIDUES

Cellulose derivative products, such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), which are used in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries, but still rely on cotton-derived cellulose, can be made from oil palm fruit empty bunches (OPEFB) and rice straw. This study examined how sodium monochloroacetic acid (NaMCA) concentration (3, 6, and 9 g) affected the simple synthesis and characteristics of CMC from OPEFB and rice straw cellulose. OPEFB-derived CMC produced with NaMCA (9 g) had the lowest of brightness, while rice straw CMC was brighter. NaMCA modifications altered the onset temperature (Tonset), but not maximum degradation temperature (Tmax), according to thermal analysis. The onset temperatures of OPEFB and rice straw CMC were 40–62 °C and 67–183 °C, respectively. Commercial CMC has an onset temperature of about 27 °C. The EDX analysis showed that rice straw CMC had a higher degree of substitution (DS) of 0.34–1.37 than OPEFB CMC, which had 0.30-0.70. Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) cellulose and rice straw cellulose offer a viable carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) alternative. This process turns agricultural waste into valuable products and enables for their usage in numerous applications.

PHENOLIC AND ANTIOXIDANT PROFILE: FTIR AND LC-MS ANALYSES OF SERAPIAS ORIENTALIS

Objective: The objective of this study is to characterize the aerial parts of S. orientalis using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, evaluate the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of seeds, stems, and flowers, and conduct quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds using LC-MS/MS. Material and Method: Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to characterize the aerial parts of S. orientalis. The analysis focused on identifying various functional groups such as -OH vibrations associated with polysaccharides, C-H vibrations from lipids and lignin compounds, and C=O vibrations related to cellulose derivatives. The total phenolic, flavonoid, flavanol, tannin, and proanthocyanidin contents of S. orientalis seeds, stems, and flowers were evaluated using standard analytical methods. DPPH radical scavenging activity was determined to assess antioxidant potential, with IC50 values calculated for each plant part. Quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds in the plant extract was conducted using LC-MS/MS. The abundance of various phenolic acids including P-coumaric acid, trans-ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and vanillic acid was determined. Additionally, other phenolic compounds such as gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, salicylic acid, (+) taxifolin, rutin hydrate, ellagic acid, quercetin dihydrate, and apigenin were also detected and quantified. Result and Discussion: The evaluation of phenolic content showed differences among different plant parts, with flowers exhibiting the highest total phenolic and proanthocyanidin content. Seeds demonstrated superior DPPH radical scavenging activity. Quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds using LC-MS/MS highlighted the abundance of various phenolic acids and other phenolic compounds in S. orientalis. These findings underscore the potential of S. orientalis as a valuable source of natural antioxidants. Overall, the results suggest that S. orientalis possesses significant phenolic diversity and antioxidant activity, which could contribute to its potential applications in various industries, including pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.

Composite scaffold of electrospun nano-porous cellulose acetate membrane casted with chitosan for flexible solid-state sodium-ion batteries

Emerging as a safe and economically viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries, the solid-state sodium ion battery (ss-SIB) has captured increasing attention as a transformative technology for realizing a decarbonized economy and ensuring a sustainable energy supply. Here we report a nanoarchitecture strategy of biodegradable, biocompatible, and naturally abundant cellulose derivative (cellulose acetate, CA) and chitosan (CH) biopolymer-based nano-porous electrospun composite electrolyte (ECE) for flexible and wearable ss-SIBs. A simple combination of electrospinning and solution casting was utilized to fabricate mechanically robust (13.76 MPa), thin-film (0.067 mm), and highly flexible ECE. The ionic conductivity of ECE was enhanced through optimization, taking into account the amount of sodium salt (NaPF6). The resulting ECE exhibited a sodium-ion conductivity of 1.04 ×10−4 S·cm−1 and a sodium ion transference number of 0.48 at room temperature (RT=23 °C). The obtained Na+ transference number of 0.48 and a low activation energy (Ea = 0.13 eV) indicate the easy charge carrier diffusion ability of as-prepared ECE. The electrochemical stability window (ESW = 4.04 V) of ECE is studied by the linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) with the assembly of stainless steel and sodium metal electrodes. Without any interfacial modification, a uniform, stable, and long-time room temperature (RT) galvanostatic Na plating-stripping was observed for 1000 hrs at 0.5 mA·cm−2 current density in a symmetric (Na|ECE|Na) cell, this underscores impressive electrochemical stability and compatibility of ECE with sodium metal. Utilizing Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) as cathode, fabricated ECE, and Na metal as anode in a hybrid full cell, a notable RT specific discharge capacity of 98.1 mA·h·g−1 was attained at a rate of 0.1 C with a capacity retention of 93.4 % over 120 charge-discharge cycles. This highlights the practical applicability of the nanostructured electrospun composite electrolyte for flexible and wearable ss-SIBs.

The interactions between zeolite and two cellulose derivatives: A comprehensive analysis of liquid and solid phase properties

This study investigates the impact of cellulose-derived polymers, anionic carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and cationic cellulose (CC) on the colloidal and thermal stability of zeolite Na-X materials. By exploring polymer adsorption onto Na-X surfaces and characterising the resultant materials, using FT-IR, XPS, SEM, PSD, CHN, and zeta potential, the research unveils how CMC and CC modify zeolite properties. This investigation elucidates the potential roles of these polymers in colloidal systems with zeolites, revealing their promise for crafting organic-inorganic materials. Additional insight was also provided by careful examination of the thermal stability (TGA-DSC) of the obtained cellulose/zeolite materials. Furthermore, the study distinguishes the different adsorption mechanisms of CMC and CC, with CMC relying on some weak interactions (H-bonding and van der Waals forces), while CC interacts mainly via electrostatic forces. Both CMC and CC can act as stabilizing agents, with CMC being more efficient and using both electrosteric and depletion stabilizations. Importantly, the concentration of CC plays a role in bridging flocculation, highlighting the concentration-dependent nature of the stabilization mechanism.

Effect of cellulose derivatives on crystallization and mechanical properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)

Abstract In this work, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) was modified by cellulose derivatives, and the effects of different kinds of cellulose derivatives on the crystallization and mechanical properties of PHBV were investigated. The crystallization and mechanical properties of PHBV/cellulose derivatives composites were measured by means of differential scanning calorimeter, polarizing microscope, and mechanical properties testing instruments. Studies show that cellulose acetate (CA) can promote the crystallization of PHBV, a small amount of CA can significantly increase the crystallization temperature of PHBV. The crystallization rate of PHBV was also accelerated by CA. However, the addition of cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) and cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) decreased the crystallization temperature of PHBV and inhibited the nucleation of PHBV. And the degree of inhibition increased with the increase of CAB and CAP content. CAB and CAP have good compatibility with PHBV, CAB, and CAP can be uniformly dispersed in PHBV. Cellulose derivatives with specific component content can enhance the tensile properties of PHBV without losing the impact strength.

Short Synthesis Time and Characterization of Dialdehyde Carboxymethyl Cellulose (DCMC) from High Bagasse Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMCB) Concentration

ABSTRACT Bagasse is a type of bast fiber obtained from agricultural waste. It is a suitable material for producing cellulose derivatives, specifically as a DCMC crosslinking agent. The optimal synthesized conditions of dialdehyde carboxymethyl cellulose (DCMCB) from the elemental chloride-free (ECF) bleached bagasse pulp were evaluated, including the concentration of bagasse carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCB) at 3% and 6% (w/v), the sodium periodate (NaIO4) concentration at 5%, 10%, and 15% (w/v) and the reaction time from 1 to 4 hours. The optimal conditions were characterized based on the DCMCB properties, including production yield, aldehyde content, and degree of oxidation. The optimal conditions for synthesizing DCMCB are a pH of 3.0, a reaction temperature of 35°C, a NaIO4-to-CMCB mass ratio of 1:6, and a reaction time of 2.5 hours. It obtained 97.37% yield and 97.70% aldehyde content. This optimal condition led to a 27.2% significant increase in DCMCB aldehyde content and a 37.5% reduction in reaction time. Various analytical techniques were employed to verify the success of CMCB oxidation and to fully characterize the crystallinity, thermal stability, and structure of DCMCB. CMCB encountered oxidation, resulting in alterations in functional groups and influencing the crystallinity, thermal stability, and structure of DCMCB.

Study of Citric Acid-Locust Bean Gum as a Glidant to Fillers of Cellulose Derivatives

Citric acid-locust bean gum (CA-LBG) was introduced as an excipient in tablet preparations. CA-LBG is a compound derived from the esterification of citric acid (CA) with locust bean gum (LBG). The experiment aimed to determine the potential and effect of CA-LBG as a glidant on microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The CA-LBG concentrations in the experiments were 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 4.0%. Talc and magnesium stearate (MgS) as a comparison. The mixtures were evaluated for flow rate and angle of repose. The mixture was compressed into tablets weighing 700 mg. Tablets were evaluated for weight, hardness, and friability. The flow rate of the mixture containing CA-LBG 0.5%-4.0% was 12.77 g.sec-1-15.96 g.sec-1. The angle of repose of the mixture containing CA-LBG 0.5%-4.0% is 32.62○-35.52○. The weight of tablets containing CA-LBG 0.5%-4.0% is 700.0 mg-701.2 mg. The hardness of tablets containing CA-LBG 0.5%-4.0% is 6.30 kp-6.90 kp. The friability of tablets containing CA-LBG 0.5%-4.0% is 0.17%-0.36%. The CA-LBG has the potential as a glidant in MCC fillers. Increasing CA-LBG concentration causes the flow rate to increase, the angle of repose to decrease, and the hardness to increase. CA-LBG concentrations of 0.5% and 4.0% reduced tablet friability.

Facile preparation of fluorescent tartaric acid-modified polymer dots for Fe3+ detection

Herein, fluorescent polymer dots (T-PDs) with excellent properties were synthesized through a facile magnetic stirring method using carboxymethyl cellulose derivative (CMC-NH2) and tartaric acid (TA). The synthesized T-PDs exhibit a nanoscale structure, excellent stability and good fluorescence behavior with a fluorescence quantum yield of 12.5 %. Moreover, the T-PDs can be selected for the design of sensors for detecting Fe3+ via the internal filtration effect (IFE) through a fluorescence quenching process. A good linear equation can be fitted between (F0-F/F0) and the amount of Fe3+ from 0 to 600 μM (R2 = 0.998) and the detection limit (LOD) for Fe3+ was determined to be 0.74 μM (3σ/slope). Additionally, the as-prepared sensing platform can be utilized for detecting Fe3+ in real samples, which indicates its great potential for application in sensing. Interestingly, the fluorescence of the quenched system can be partially recovered by the addition L-cysteine. Thus, a fluorescent “ON-OFF-ON” switch can be designed, and a resettable and multireadout logic gate operation can be realized.

In-Depth Understanding of the Effect of the Distribution of Substituents on the Morphology and Physical Properties of Ethylcellulose: Molecular Dynamics Simulations Insights.

Ethylcellulose (EC) is a crucial cellulose derivative with widespread applications, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, where precise property adjustments through chemical modification are imperative. The degree of substitution (DS) and the localization of substituents along the cellulose chains are pivotal factors in this process. However, the impact of the substituent location within the repeating unit of EC remains unexplored. To address this gap, we conducted molecular dynamics simulations on amorphous EC, comparing randomly and uniformly substituted ethyl groups in the repeating units. This comprehensive study of pairwise interactions revealed significant differences in intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen-bonding capabilities, depending on whether the hydroxyl groups were substituted at C2, C3, or C6. While our simulations demonstrated that substituent localization in the repeating unit influenced the density, number of hydrogen bonds, and conformations, the DS emerged as the dominant determinant. This insight led us to propose and validate a hypothesis: a straightforward linear function using the properties of uniform models and molar fractions can predict the properties of randomly substituted EC with a given DS. This innovative approach is anticipated to contribute to the selection of cellulose derivatives with desirable properties for the pharmaceutical industry and new applications in other fields.

Cotton waste upcycling: biofuel and cellulose derivatives production

Cotton waste upcycling: biofuel and cellulose derivatives production