Efficient Dispersion Research Articles

Nanoscale Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes in a Metal Matrix to Boost Thermal and Electrical Conductivity via Facile Ball Milling Techniques.

Carbon nanotube (CNT)/metal composites have attracted much attention due to their enhanced electrical and thermal performance. How to achieve the scalable fabrication of composites with efficient dispersion of CNTs to boost their performance remains a challenge for their wide realistic applications. Herein, the nanoscale dispersion of CNTs in the Stannum (Sn) matrix to boost thermal and electrical conductivity via facile ball milling techniques was demonstrated. The results revealed that CNTs were tightly attached to metal Sn, resulting in a much lower resistivity than that of bare Sn. The resistivity of Sn with 1 wt.% and 2 wt.% CNTs was 0.087 mΩ·cm and 0.056 mΩ·cm, respectively. The theoretical calculation showed that there was an electronic state near the Fermi level, suggesting its electrical conductivity had been improved to a certain extent. In addition, the thermal conductivity of Sn with 2 wt.% CNTs was 1.255 W·m-1·K-1. Moreover, Young's modulus of the composites with CNTs mass fraction of 10 wt.% had low values (0.933 MPa) under low strain conditions, indicating the composite shows good potential for various applications with different flexible requirements. The good electrical and thermal conductive CNT networks were formed in the metal matrix via facile ball milling techniques. This strategy can provide guidance for designing high-performance metal samples and holds a broad application potential in electronic packaging and other fields.

Spatial and temporal evolution of urban carbon emission efficiency in China.

Improving carbon emission efficiency is crucial for achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality. This paper analyzes the carbon emission efficiency of Chinese cities using panel data from 275 prefecture-level cities between 2006 and 2020. The super-efficiency SBM (undesirable slacks-based measurement) model of undesired output, combined with kernel density estimation and exploratory data analysis, is employed. This study finds, firstly, from 2006 to 2020, the average efficiency of carbon emissions in Chinese cities declined from 0.53 to 0.48, indicating a downward trend. Secondly, from a temporal perspective, the level of dispersion in urban carbon emission efficiency has become increasingly distinct over time, coupled with a decrease in polarization. Thirdly, in terms of spatial analysis, urban carbon emission efficiency in China shows a positive correlation in a global context. In terms of local spatial correlation, it primarily exhibits high-high and low-low clusters, with a few instances of low-high and high-low clusters. Finally, based on the research findings, this paper proposes suggestions to improve urban carbon emission efficiency.

Efficient and Continuous Carrier-Envelope Phase Control for Terahertz Lightwave-Driven Scanning Probe Microscopy.

The fundamental understanding of quantum dynamics in advanced materials requires precise characterization at the limit of spatiotemporal resolution. Ultrafast scanning tunneling microscopy is a powerful tool combining the benefits of picosecond time resolution provided by single-cycle terahertz (THz) pulses and atomic spatial resolution of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). For the selective excitation of localized electronic states, the transient field profile must be tailored to the energetic structure of the system. Here, we present an advanced THz-STM setup combining multi-MHz repetition rates, strong THz near fields, and continuous carrier-envelope phase (CEP) control of the transient waveform. In particular, we employ frustrated total internal reflection as an efficient and cost-effective method for precise CEP control of single-cycle THz pulses with >60% field transmissivity, high pointing stability, and continuous phase shifting of up to 0.75 π in the far and near field. Efficient THz generation and dispersion management enable peak THz voltages at the tip-sample junction exceeding 20 V at 1 MHz and 1 V at 41 MHz. The system comprises two distinct THz generation arms, which facilitate individual pulse shaping and amplitude modulation. This unique feature enables the flexible implementation of various THz pump-probe schemes, thereby facilitating the study of electronic and excitonic excited-state propagation in nanostructures and low-dimensional materials systems. Scalability of the repetition rate up to 41 MHz, combined with a state-of-the-art low-temperature STM, paves the way toward the investigation of dynamical processes in atomic quantum systems at their native length and time scales.

Robust optimization and uncertainty quantification of a micro axial compressor for unmanned aerial vehicles

Axial compressors are susceptible to uncertainties during their manufacturing and operation, resulting in reduced efficiency and performance dispersion. However, uncertainty quantification and robust design of compressors remains challenging due to the complexity of structure and internal flow. In this study, an automated framework for uncertainty quantification and robustness optimization of micro axial compressors is proposed. Ten geometrical uncertainties are propagated for the nominal design point and two off-design points, i.e., near stall and choke conditions, respectively. The main objective of this paper is to optimize the aerodynamic robustness performance at these operating points. The sparse grid-based probabilistic collocation method is used to propagate these uncertainties, and a multi-objective genetic algorithm is employed to perform robust optimization based on a novel constructed surrogate model.The results show that the optimal configuration achieves an improvement in aerodynamic robustness and mean performance across the entire characteristic map, with greater improvement at the design working point than at the off-design points. At the design working point, the mean isentropic efficiency and pressure ratio of the optimal configuration increase by 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively, while the standard deviation of isentropic efficiency, pressure ratio, and mass flow rate decreases by 32.4%, 41.2%, and 25.1%, respectively. This optimization framework proves to be both feasible and efficient and can be applied to aerodynamic robust optimization of turbomachinery. In the future, we will apply this framework to different aspects of the gas turbine life cycle to model and analyze uncertainties of larger orders of magnitude.

Tuning the microstructure of polyurethane foam using nanocellulose for improved thermal insulation properties through an efficient dispersion methodology

AbstractNanocellulose is explored as an eco‐friendly cell modifier and reinforcer for improving the thermal insulation and mechanical performance of rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF). In this study, we report on a promising method for achieving ‘solvent‐free' dispersion of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) into polyether polyol for the production of RPUF. This was achieved through wet grinding of CNC powder in polyol in an agitator bead mill and the dispersion of CNCs in polyol was superior to classical ultrasonication. While the improvements (reduction) in thermal conductivity, due to the nucleation effect of CNCs, in the RPUF from the milling method is comparable to that from the ultrasonication method, it should be noted that it was achieved despite of a reduction in closed cell content (~80%) and at a similar average cell size. This effect has been attributed to either superior dispersion quality of the milling method and/or involvement of a zirconium impurity within the CNC‐RPUF.Research Highlights Enhanced properties of polyurethane foam using well‐dispersed nanocellulose. Superior dispersion of nanocellulose in polyol using agitator bead mill. Involvement of zirconium for tuning microstructure of polyurethane foam.

3D printing of cellulose nanofiber/polylactic acid composites via an efficient dispersion method

In this study, a green and efficient dispersion method was developed to prepare cellulose nanofiber (CNF) reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composites for fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing. The CNF/PLA compounds were readily obtained by blending a CNF aqueous suspension with microscale PLA powder, followed by an air-drying process. This method significantly reduced the need for chemical reagents and shortened the processing time. A silane coupling agent and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were used as surface modifiers to enhance the dispersion of CNFs in PLA matrix, and the interfacial interactions between the two constituents in the composite. The CNF/PLA composite filaments for 3D printing were produced using twin-screw cycling extrusion. The test results showed that the incorporation of the surface-modified CNFs effectively enhanced the flowability and the mechanical performance of PLA. The superior mechanical properties of the resulting 3D-printed CNF/PLA composites can be attributed to the uniform dispersion of CNFs in the PLA matrix, higher crystallinity of PLA, and reduced composite defects.

Synthesis and properties of multi‐armed polycarboxylate superplasticizer modified by β‐cyclodextrin

AbstractThe polycarboxylate superplasticizer with a multi‐armed structure (multi‐armed‐PCE) was synthesized via RAFT polymerization of pentaerythritol triacrylate, acrylic acid, macro‐monomer polyethylene glycol ether (GPEG) and a certain amount of β‐cyclodextrin esterified by maleic anhydride (MA‐β‐CD). The precise structure of the multi‐armed‐PCE was characterized by NMR, FTIR, and GPC. Benefitting from the stronger steric hindrance effect provided by the multi‐armed topology and MA‐β‐CD side chains, the polymer exhibited efficient dispersion and fluidity retention properties. As a result, the water reduction rate of the polymer multi‐armed‐PCE can reach 32.5% under the condition of 0.28% dosage. Compared with comb‐like PCE‐B, the cement paste containing multi‐armed‐PCE exhibited better fluidity retention of 2 hours. Moreover, the multi‐armed‐PCE can significantly increase the mechanical strength of cement hydration products, which can provide potential prospect for the design of high‐strength concrete products.

Efficient Dispersion of Organic Fluorophores by Size Matching with a Difunctionalized Spacer Interleaved into Layered Double Hydroxide

Efficient Dispersion of Organic Fluorophores by Size Matching with a Difunctionalized Spacer Interleaved into Layered Double Hydroxide

Design and evaluation of a novel dispersant with “surface-to-surface” adsorption function for preparing low-rank coal water slurry

It is important to improve the performance of low-rank coal water slurry (CWS) for the development of coal gasification. In this study, to prepare high-quality Shenhua coal water slurry, a novel GON-APEG dispersant with “surface-to-surface” adsorption function was designed and synthesized by grafting the allyl polyoxyethylene ether (APEG) onto the edge of graphite oxide nanosheet (GON) through esterification and emulsion polymerization. The influences of GON-APEG on the properties of CWS, the adsorption isotherm of GON-APEG, and the surface properties of coal were studied, and compared with GON, sodium lignosulphonate (SL), and polycarboxylate (PC) dispersants. The GON-APEG was superior to other dispersants in viscosity-reducing and stabilizing ability. Under the optimum dosage of 0.3 wt%, the maximum coal content of CWS with GON-APEG was 64.5 wt%. All the CWSs with different dispersants belonged to typical yield pseudoplastic fluid. Meanwhile, the adsorption isotherms of four dispersants had a good correlation with the Langmuir model, and the saturated adsorption capacity of GON-APEG was greater than SL and PC dispersants. The GON-APEG decreased the contact angle of water on the coal surface and increased the absolute value of Zeta potential of coal to the greatest extent. The excellent performance of GON-APEG in CWS was due to its strong interaction with coal derived from “surface-to-surface” adsorption mode, which was beneficial to regulate the surface properties of coal. In sum, this study provides a new idea for improving the properties of Shenhua coal water slurry and developing the efficient dispersants in other fields.

Design of a novel Low-Temperature Polymer electrolyte Membrane fuel Cell: 3D modelling and experimental verification

The termination of fossil fuel usage and the associated environmental pollution poses critical challenges to human society. Fuel Cells (FCs) offer a promising solution due to their high efficiency, leading to reduced consumption of fossil fuels and lower environmental impact. Among various types, Polymer Electrolyte Membrane FCs (PEM-FCs) are particularly advantageous for transportation industries due to their solid membrane, high energy density, fast operation, system stability, efficiency, and minimal pollutant dispersion. The flow channels in PEM-FCs play a crucial role in their performance and efficiency, affecting parameters like cost, weight, and overall performance. Therefore, this research aims to explore the effect of flow channels on PEM-FCs' efficiency and performance using experimental and numerical methods. After analyzing various channel designs, the study suggests utilizing the Symmetric Spiral Channels (SSCs) for further investigation and fabrication. An SSC was fabricated and integrated into a mono-cell, and its performance was studied concerning relative moisture and temperature. Additionally, a 3D model of the FC was designed and validated, enabling the analysis of properties and thermos-physical quantities in different parts of the PEM-FC. The results revealed that while the polarization curve of the SSC may not differ significantly from the simple spiral channel, the FC's overall efficiency improves when considering the output power after accounting for parasitic drop power. This power is consumed for fuel and oxidant pumping. The SSC helps reduce the pressure difference within the PEM-FC, leading to enhanced efficiency. Furthermore, the proposed structure exhibits a temperature difference of less than 10 K, indicating an extended membrane life cycle. These findings highlight the potential benefits of using SSCs in PEM-FCs to enhance their performance and efficiency, contributing to the advancement of cleaner energy solutions for a sustainable future.

Inverse Opal Photonic Hydrogels for Blue‐Edge Slow Photon‐Enhanced Photodynamic Antibacterial Therapy

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy is promising for combating bacteria by reactive oxygen species. However, the therapeutic efficiency of photodynamic antibacterial therapy (PDAT) is largely hindered by limited photon absorption and the low quantum yield of photosensitizers. Herein, a novel light‐harvesting platform is designed by decorating photosensitizer chlorine e6 (Ce6) into an inverse opal photonic hydrogel (Ce6/IOPG) framework for efficient light utilization to enhance PDAT. It is shown that the generating efficiency of singlet oxygen (1O2) can be tuned by the relative positions of the photonic bandgap (PBG) of IOPG and the absorption band of Ce6. The coupling of the slow photon effect with the efficient dispersion of Ce6 allows for a maximum generation of 1O2 of approximately 69.5‐fold and markedly enhances PDAT activity upon low light irradiation when the blue edge of PBG overlaps with the absorption band of Ce6. Particularly, slow photons at the blue edge show advantages in improving 1O2 generation compared to those at the red edge. The variation in 1O2 generation by altering the incident angle of light provides direct evidence for the slow photon effect in Ce6/IOPG. This work provides insights into blue‐edge slow photons in photodynamic enhancement and offers an advisable design principle for efficient antibacterial therapy.

Preparation of magnetic Janus microparticles for the rapid removal of microplastics from water

The continuous spread of microplastics in aquatic environments poses a growing concern and a potential risk to human health. To address this concern, this paper presents a novel approach using magnetic Janus microparticles (MJMs) synthesized via a modified Pickering emulsion method with aminated Fe3O4@SiO2 as the raw material. The effectiveness of these MJMs in removing polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE) microplastics from water was investigated. Paraffin was employed as the masking agent, while N-Octadecylphosphosphonic acid (PAC18) was used as the graft material for MJM preparation. The resulting particles exhibited a distinctive asymmetric flower-shaped structure on the surface, which was confirmed through various analytical techniques including FTIR, TGA, SEM, and water phase contact angle analysis. The MJMs demonstrated exceptional efficiency in adsorbing microplastics. With a microplastic suspension concentration of 2 mg/mL and an adsorbent dosage of 1 mg/mL, the MJMs can attain removal efficiencies of 92.08 % for PS and 60.67 % for PE in just 20 min of contact time. The effectiveness of the adsorption process was attributed to several factors, including hydrophobic interactions, cation-π interactions, electrostatic attraction, and the efficient dispersion of particles in water, as revealed by size distribution and zeta potential analysis. Additionally, kinetic and thermodynamic studies confirmed the remarkable adsorption rate and capacity of the MJMs (0.759 min−1 and 2.72 mg/mg for PS, 0.539 min−1 and 2.42 mg/mg for PE), highlighting their potential as a promising method for rapidly removing microplastics from water. This work provides valuable insights into the development of effective strategies for addressing microplastic pollution in aquatic environments.

The Effect of Ventilation on the Hazards of Hydrogen Release in Enclosed Areas of Hydrogen-Fueled Ship

This paper presents a systematic investigation that encompasses the safety assessment of a fuel preparation room (FPR) intended for a hydrogen-fueled ship. The primary objective is to determine the appropriate ventilation strategy to mitigate the risks associated with potential hydrogen leakage. The study focuses on a case involving an FPR measuring 10.2 m × 5.3 m × 2.65 m, which is part of a 750 DWT hydrogen-powered fishing vessel. To identify the potential events leading to hydrogen dispersion, an event tree analysis is conducted. Additionally, existing regulations and guidelines related to the safety assessments of hydrogen leakage in enclosed areas are summarized and analyzed. Computational fluid dynamics, FLACS-CFD, are utilized for the consequence analysis in order to evaluate the impact of ventilation on hydrogen dispersion and concentration within the FPR. The research findings indicate significant effects of ventilation on the hazards and safety assessments of FPRs and high-pressure fuel gas supply systems. The study highlights that hydrogen vapor tends to accumulate at the ceiling and in the corners and spaces created by the equipment. The position and size of ventilation openings greatly influence the dispersion of hydrogen leakage. Proper ventilation design, including top inlet ventilation and outlet ventilation on the opposite side, helps to maintain a safe FPR by facilitating the efficient dispersion of hydrogen vapor. Moreover, locating inlet ventilation on the same side as the outlet ventilation is found to hinder dispersion, while the cross-ventilation achieved by placing inlets and outlets on opposite sides enhances airflow and dispersion. Consequently, it is recommended to prioritize the structural design of FPRs and implement enhanced safety measures. Additionally, updating the relevant regulations to address these concerns is strongly advised.

Multiphase jet penetration in gas-solid systems

Thermochemical conversion of biomass in fixed/fluidized bed reactors requires efficient feedstock penetration and dispersion through reliable feed injection systems. Pneumatic biomass injection produces a gas-solid jet in the reactor that requires proper momentum to disperse the feedstock. Assessing multiphase jet penetration in fluidized beds is challenging because of system's complexity, opaqueness and lack of a universal measurement technique adapted for tracking the associated phenomena. In this work, three measurement techniques (fluorescent particle tracking, pitot tubes and Electric Capacitance Tomography (ECVT)) were employed and compared to assess the penetration of air-biomass jets into fixed/fluidized beds. Results from all techniques indicated that the jet penetration increased with solids mass flux, and jets with similar momentum provide greater penetration in fluidized beds compared to fixed beds. Tridimensional jet propagation and biomass concentration across the jet length were obtained for different operating conditions providing a useful database for CFD and other mechanistic models validation.

Microextraction based on liquid-solid phase transition of benzoic acid: Extraction of statins from human urine followed by chromatographic analysis

Herein, a microextraction method was reported based on the liquid-solid phase transition of benzoic acid to quantify two statins, namely lovastatin and simvastatin in authentic human urine. The principle of the method is based on the phase transition of benzoic acid by altering the pH of the sample solution enabling efficient dispersion and phase separation in one step. Due to the moderate melting point of benzoic acid, its solidification is performed at ambient temperature without the need for sample cooling. Various experimental parameters that affect the performance of the analytes (i.e. extractant type and its concentration, acid type and concentration, and sample volume) have been examined and optimized. The method was validated based on the total error concept. For this purpose, accuracy profiles were constructed in the concentration range of 100–5000 ng mL−1 while β-expectation tolerance intervals fell within ±15% demonstrating that 95% of future results will not exceed the defined bias limits. The intra-day and inter-day method precision was less than 4.7% and 4.3% for both analytes, while the limit of detection was 15 ng mL−1 for both analytes. It was also proved that the usage of benzoic acid is advantageous in minimizing the potential inter-conversion of the analytes during the acidification step of the extraction procedure. The green potential of the proposed analytical scheme was examined based on Green Analytical Procedure index. The proposed sample pretreatment technique proved to be a valuable tool offering selectivity and rapidness. The developed method was used for the analysis of real human urine obtained after the administration of statin-based pharmaceutical formulations.

Potential industrial approach for efficient dispersion of silica fume: Rapid wet-grinding dispersion technique

Silica fume (SF) has been used extensively in buildings with high strength and durability requirements, but it must be densified prior to transport, causing it to lose its original pozzolanic activity. The common methods of SF dispersion are stirring, soaking and ultrasonication, but there is still a lack of an efficient and fast dispersion method. In this study, a rapid wet-grinding dispersion technique was designed to achieve the dispersion of densified silica fume (DSF) within 5 min, and the results were better than stirring and ultrasonic dispersion. The results of the study show that the wet-ground silica fume (WSF) slurry has a lower zeta potential, electrical conductivity and better stability. Wet grinding dispersion restores the balling effect of SF, with WSF slurry flow improving by 139% compared to plus DSF, and the fluidity of WSF_8% improving by 21% with lower apparent viscosity and yield stress. Additionally, WSF has superior pozzolanic activity, with a 16% increase in compressive strength at 28 days and a 62% increase in C-S-H gel content at 28 days. A novel technique for the effective dispersion of silica fume was presented in this study.

Investigation of the electrical sensing properties of cementitious composites produced with multi-wall carbon nanotubes dispersed in NaOH

The use of nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, in cement-based composites has been a topic of considerable attention in recent years due to their potential to monitor civil structures and infrastructures. One of the main challenges is the adequate and efficient dispersion of the carbon nanotubes due to their nanoparticle size and the high adhesion forces developing among them. The most common strategy to tackle this challenge is to use sonic treatments that are unfeasible for field-scale implementations. Alternatively, specific chemicals (i.e. surfactants) facilitating nanotube mixing are used, but this often results in poor mechanical properties, reduced electrical conductivity and high environmental impact of the composites. This works has as the main aim to analyze the self-sensing properties of the cementitious composites developed with NaOH as the dispersing agent. For this purpose, the work investigates electrical and sensing properties of cement-based nanocomposites with different contents of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), namely 1%, 1.5%, and 2% with respect to cement weight, previously dispersed in NaOH aqueous solution. The composites' fresh and electrical properties are evaluated, and a microstructural analysis is carried out. The major findings of the work reveal that cement paste samples with different contents of MWCNT presented increasing sensing properties up to 2%, and that the dispersing strategy was promising despite its simplicity.

Flying through the forest canopy: Movement patterns and habitat selection of rescued and wild Harpy Eagles in the Brazilian Amazon

We tracked six Harpy Eagles (Harpia harpyja) by satellite telemetry from 2011 to 2021 in the Brazilian Amazonia, analyzing the used area, movements parameters and habitat selection functions for three of them: one adult within its breeding site, one translocated adult, and a four-years old floating subadult. We used the first-passage time to assess the scale at which these individuals respond to the environment, and the behavioral change point analysis to determine behavioral states parameters across trajectories. We fitted a logistic linear regression model with used-available locations and environmental covariates: slope, Terrain Ruggedness Index (TRI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), land cover, and habitat edge as predictor variables. Harpy Eagle locations were highly related with “Forest” land cover and high NDVI values. The subadult and the translocated adult selected for “Secondary Forest” within their home ranges, which highlights the importance of this type of habitat in fragmented landscapes. In addition, we found behavioural differences in the movement paths of rehabilitated individuals of Harpy Eagle that are subsequently released to the wild. In conclusion, we suggest including in conservation management not only the nest tree and its immediately surrounding but also an area over landscape scale to optimize and promote the functional connectivity, with a safe and efficient dispersion of immatures. Linking Harpy Eagle´s movement locations to resources (land cover, NDVI), risks (forested habitat edge) and environmental conditions (slope, terrain ruggedness) is an opportunity to learn about habitat selection by this large canopy predator. The Harpy Eagle movement ecology has a potential relationship with the spatial dynamics of prey in the forest canopy, which needs to be further addressed in future research.

Insights into the fauna associated with Egeria densa at the upper section of the international Minho River estuary (NW Iberian Peninsula) 3 decades after its establishment

The macrophyte Egeria densa Planchon, 1849 is a freshwater plant native to the subtropical regions of South America. Fast vegetative reproduction and efficient dispersal allow this species to form extensive beds that produce high levels of oxygen in freshwater ecosystems, generating microhabitats that act as refuge and nursery for an array of organisms, increasing sedimentation and light availability. Despite its undisputable ecological role, it is considered invasive and is present on all continents except Antarctica with the first records in Europe occurring at the 20th century. At the international Minho River (NW Iberian Peninsula), the observation of its presence was noted in the 1990s and is now an established population in this ecosystem. This study is the first descriptive-taxonomical assessment of the associated fauna with the exotic macrophyte E. densa, using both morphological and molecular approaches, three decades after its establishment in the international Minho River. Results indicate the presence of a faunal assemblage, composed a total of 20 identified species, including platyhelminths, hydrozoans, bryozoans, molluscs (Gastropoda), annelids (Oligochaeta and Hirudinea), crustaceans (Ostracoda, Copepoda, Branchiopoda and Amphipoda), aquatic mites and insects. Paludicella aff. articulata (Ehrenberg, 1831), Girardia sinensis Chen & Wang, 2015, Lebertia insignis Neuman, 1880 and Ceriodaphnia rigaudi Richard 1894 are recorded for the first time in Portugal.

Subcritical Water Hydrolysis of Cotton Fibers to Nanocellulose for Producing Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Cellulose Biocomposite

AbstractCellulose nanofibers (CNs) are isolated from cotton wool using subcritical water in a semiflow hydrothermal reactor to achieve green hydrolysis. The yield and crystallinity index (CI) of nanocellulose is optimized via varying temperatures and hydrolysis time while maintaining the pressure at 10 MPa. Under the subcritical condition, water dissociates into H3O+ and OH−, allowing protonation of the β‐glycosidic bond to hydrolyze cellulose strands into short chain fibers. Hydrolysis rates enhance with increasing temperatures, further disintegrating cellulose into smaller nanofibrils. At 180 °C, amorphous cellulose dissolution occurs, increasing the crystallinity without disintegrating the crystalline fibrous network. The concentration of H3O+ increases at 230 °C, further hydrolyzes cotton wool into uniform nanofibril cellulose with 14.3 ± 1.2 nm diameter. The tensile strength and elongation at break enhance using cellulose nanofibers obtained at 220 and 230 °C due to the small nanocellulose sizes that allow efficient dispersion in the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix.