Cellulose Nanoparticles Research Articles

Microwave assisted treatment of carpentry waste wood flour with natural deep eutectic solvents for nanocellulose production and removal of organic pollutants.

Row carpentry waste wood flour, constituted of poplar (∼60%) and fir (∼30%) biomass, was subjected for the first time to microwave-assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES) treatment, with the purposes of solubilizing lignin and hemicellulose, leaving cellulose as solid residue, thus performing a biorefinery. Several acidic (choline chloride/oxalic acid; choline chloride/citric acid; betaine hydrochloride/oxalic acid) and alkaline (urea/choline chloride; glycerol/K2CO3) DESs were employed under the same reaction conditions. Since the highest extraction yield was obtained by using choline chloride/oxalic acid DES, the use of the latter was investigated by varying some parameters (temperature, manner of microwave irradiation, addition of water) aiming at increasing the solubilization yield, which in fact in some cases reached satisfying values (60%) under mild conditions. The solid residues (SRs) recovered after all treatments with all tested DESs were characterized by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Tranform Infrared Spectroscopy, Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy, and titration of surface acid groups. All SRs were also ultrasonicated to produce cellulose nanoparticles which were in turn characterised by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses. In addition, the solid residues recovered from acidic DESs were able to decontaminate water from organic pollutants, such as p-nitrophenol, by an adsorption process. Thus, the proposed DES treatment efficiently converted carpentry waste wood flour into a valuable biomaterial useful for environmental decontamination.

Mesalamine loaded ethyl cellulose nanoparticles: optimization and in vivo evaluation of antioxidant potential in ulcerative colitis.

This study aimed to optimize MES-nanoparticles using Box Behnken Design (BBD) and investigate its in vivo antioxidant potential in colon drug targeting. The formulation was prepared using oil/water (O/W) emulsion solvent evaporation technique for time dependent colonic delivery. The optimal formulation with the following parameters composition was selected: polymer concentration (% w/w) (A) = 0.63, surfactant concentration (% w/w) (B) = 0.71, sonication duration (min) (C) = 6. The outcomes showed that ethyl cellulose nanoparticle containing mesalamine has particles size of 142 ± 2.8 nm, zeta potential of -24.8 ± 2.3 mV, % EE of 87.9 ± 1.6%, and PDI of 0.226 ± 0.15. Scanning electron microscopy revealed nanoparticles has a uniform and spherical shape. The in-vitro release data disclosed that the ethyl cellulose nanoparticles containing mesalamine showed bursts release of 52±1.6% in simulated stomach media within 2 hours, followed by a steady release of 93±2.9% in simulated intestinal fluid that lasted for 48 hours. The mesalamine release from nanoparticle best match with the Korsmeyer-Peppas model (R2 = 0.962) and it followed fickian diffusion case I release mechanism. The formulation stability over six-months at 25 ± 2 °C with 65 ± 5% relative humidity, and 40 ± 2 °C with 75 ± 5% relative humidity showed no significant changes changes in colour, entrapment efficiency, particle sizes and zeta potential. As per in vivo results, MES-NP effectively increased GSH, SOD level and reduces the LPO level as compared to other treatment groups. The findings hold promise that the developed formulation can suitably give in ulcerative colitis.

Interfacial Pickering Emulsion Polycondensation for Degradable Nanocomposites.

Pickering emulsion polymerization is a practical method to fabricate functional composite materials. However, most reported systems proceed homogeneously within the stabilized monomer phase and create nondegradable chemical bonds. Here, interfacial Pickering emulsion polycondensation between aromatic aldehydes and polymercaptans is developed using sustainable cellulose nanoparticles as the stabilizer. When sulfonated cellulose nanocrystals (S-CNCs) were utilized, they also catalyzed the polycondensation to produce the oxidatively degradable S,S-acetal groups on the polymer chains. The influence of monomer and cellulose structures on the polymerization behavior and composite properties were compared.

Greener Production and Application of Slow-Release Nitrogen Fertilizer Using Plasma and Nanotechnology: A Review

The potential of both plasma and nanotechnology in producing slow-release fertilizer is immense. These technologies, when combined, may offer green and inexpensive nitrogen fertilizers, from rich renewable resources available in local areas. Together, these technologies may overcome some limitations of conventional synthetic fertilizers, which are currently expensive and associated with low nitrogen use efficiency and significant environmental concerns. This review explores the utilization of recent advances in plasma and nanotechnology, which can be leveraged to create new slow-release nitrogen fertilizers. It emphasizes their crucial role in addressing nitrogen depletion and improving crop production. Despite the lack of attempts to develop slow-release nanofertilizers from low-cost liquid nitrate generated by emission-free nonthermal plasma, the effectiveness of plasma nitrate matches that of conventional fertilizer for crop production. We propose a more efficient electrocatalytic conversion of plasma nitrate to ammonium salt, then coating it with plant-based cellulose nanoparticles to create a slow-release form. This set of processes would synchronize nutrient release with the dynamic N requirements of plants. Formulations using agro-based, low-cost cellulose nanomaterials could replace high-cost carrier hydrogels associated with low mechanical strength. This review also highlights the isolation of nanocellulose from various plant materials and its characterization in different formulations of slow-release nanoplasma N fertilizer. Additionally, we discuss mechanisms of N loss, slow-release, and retention in the soil that can contribute to the production and use of efficient, sustainable fertilizers to improve food security and, consequently, the health of our planet.

Design of dinuclear osmium complex doped antifouling cellulose nanoparticles for targeting and dual photodynamic/photothermal therapy under near infrared irradiation

Transition metal-ligand has been explored in the treatment of tumors in photodynamic theray (PDT) or photothermal therapy (PTT) and Osmium complex attracts attentration due to its lower toxicity and longer absorption wavelength. However, there was no report about binuclear Os complex for combined therapy of PDT and PTT which could have a synergistic effect and improve the effectiveness. Herein, we synthesis of mono/dinuclear Os complexes (OsY1, OsY2) with dual PDT/PTT capabilities under a single near-infrared (NIR) excitation wavelength. These features arise from the large π-conjugated structure of our dinuclear Os complex coupled with efficient metal-to-ligand charge transfer, which bring in ultralow energy gaps of 0.733 eV and 0.308 eV for OsY1 and OsY2, respectively. Furthermore, we prepared the Osmium complex-doped, aptamer-conjugated cellulose NPs via the emulsion polymerization method. These NPs exhibit a notable ability to target mitochondria and posse a “protein corona-free” status, showing much higher efficiency in tumor ablation (76 %) than the commercialized indocyanine green (ICG) doped cellulose NPs (24 %) under 808 nm irradiation. Consequently, our designed mono/dinuclear Os complex, featuring a single-molecule dual PDT/PTT effect within doped antifouling NPs, holds promise for potential applications in cancer therapy.

Simultaneous realization of efficient solar evaporation and electricity collection through dual regulation of chemical composition and pore channels

The solar-driven interfacial evaporation is a recently developed zero-energy technology for seawater desalination. However, the low evaporation rate poses a significant obstacle to its industrial application, and the collection of streaming potential formed during the evaporation process remains challenging. In this paper, we constructed a solar evaporator capable of simultaneously achieving efficient solar evaporation and electricity collection. Specifically, a double network structure hydrogel comprising polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanoparticles nanofibers (TOCNFs) was fabricated using ice templating, with the addition of sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) to further modulate water distribution within the network. The incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) enabled the achievement of a PVA/TOCNFs/SLS (PTFS) gel-based solar evaporator. The strong electronegativity carried by the TOCNFs enhances the electrostatic repulsion in the PVA-TOCNFs network, thus improving the mechanical properties of PTFS evaporator. The introduction of SLS, which contains abundant sulfonate groups, provides certain antibacterial properties to PTFS evaporator. Due to the presence of numerous hydrophilic groups, both TOCNFs and SLS can form weak hydrogen bonds with water. Through the synergistic effect of TOCNFs and SLS, the latent heat of water in PTFS evaporator is reduced to 924 kJ kg−1, enabling an evaporation rate of 3.70 kg m−2h−1 under 1 sun irradiation. Owing to the smaller pore size relative to the Debye radius and the presence of electronegative functional groups within the pores of PTFS evaporators, an overlapping bilayer is formed when water flows through, resulting in an open-circuit voltage increase of up to 270 mV. The integration of high-efficiency solar evaporation with streaming potential collection presents a novel avenue for enhancing the utilization of solar energy.

Development of advanced biopolymer thin films of Carboxymethyl cellulose, Silver, and Zinc Oxide nanoparticles for avocado fruit preservation applications

Nanomaterials in post-harvest preservation offer advantages such as non-toxicity, chemical residue-free protection, and effective inhibition of mold and bacteria. Due to their strong antimicrobial properties and their ability to form a thin nano-coating on fruit surfaces, even small amounts of nanoparticles provide extensive coverage, preventing microbial penetration. This technology significantly improves fruit quality and longevity during storage and transportation. In this work, we introduced an advanced biopolymer film of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) incorporating ZnO and Ag nanoparticles (NPs). Ag NPs and ZnO NPs demonstrated an outstanding antimicrobial inhibition property that can be used for fruit preservation. As a proof of concept, the biopolymer thin films enable to extend avocado ripening from up to 35 days. The sugar concentration variation, the hardness, and the weight loss of the avocado with and without the advanced biopolymer thin film integrated ZnO and Ag nanoparticles in 35 days were compared with each other to clarify the ripening reduction ability of the biopolymer thin film.

Preparations of Nano Cellulose Particles from Agricultural Wastes for Eco-Friendly Biodegradable Take Away Bowls for Food

Preparations of Nano Cellulose Particles from Agricultural Wastes for Eco-Friendly Biodegradable Take Away Bowls for Food

Use of nanocelluloses from orange peel and ZnO as hybrid nanofiller in developing functionalized starch nanocomposite for edible coatings

AbstractThis study explores the formulations of orange peel nanocelluloses (NC) with tailored dimensions for the development of functionalized nanocomposites coatings on green chilies. In the present century, the valorization of agro‐waste, specifically orange peel for developing NC facilitated sustainable packaging such as edible films and coatings with improved properties has received importance. As, this approach aligns with the sustainable development goals, including reduced food waste and agro waste. For the work, the derived orange peel celluloses were acid hydrolyzed using sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) to deliver cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and cellulose nanoparticles (CNP), respectively. The fabricated CNP and CNF were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The FESEM morphology showed the formation of CNP with diameter ranges from 42.4 to 108 nm and formation of CNF with diameter ranged from 27.4 to 50.5 nm. The creation of the functionalized nanocomposite was done by reinforcing with hybrid nanofillers consisting CNF, CNP consecutively with ZnO in corn starch for tailormade packaging properties in terms of mechanical, physicochemical, optical, thermal properties, and so on. The results reveal improved tensile strength, and reduced water vapor transmission rates of nanocomposite with the addition of hybrid nanofillers. Additionally, green chilies were coated with the functionalized nanocomposites prepared by different concentrations of nanofillers. The storage analysis was performed in terms of weight loss, total chlorophyll content, and microbiological analysis. The developed coatings were found to be effective in extending the shelf life of green chilies. The control samples showed significantly higher weight loss compared to coated ones. The coated samples showed significantly better firmness and total chlorophyll content after 20 days of storage. In comparison to other coatings, NC and ZnO incorporated starch‐based coating was found to be the most effective in maintaining the quality of fresh green chilies throughout the storage. Thus, incorporating NC and ZnO in starch‐based films and coatings presents a promising avenue for sustainable packaging and preservation.Highlights Agro‐waste orange peel was valorized to develop sustainable food packaging. Orange peel‐based nanocellulose was developed using H2SO4 and HCl. Nanocomposite film was developed using hybrid nanofillers. Nanocomposites provide tailored properties due to the nanofillers. Developed nanocomposite was used as edible coatings on green chilies.

A particle-filled hydrogel based on alginate and calcium phosphate nanoparticles as bone adhesive

The clinical need for bone adhesives as an alternative to osteosynthesis is evident. However, this is a challenging problem due to the moist environment in surgical sites with bone surfaces covered with blood and biomolecules like lipids or proteins. A nanoparticle-loaded hydrogel that is based on a freeze-dried powder of silica-coated calcium phosphate/carboxymethyl cellulose nanoparticles (CaP/CMC/SiO2) and an aqueous solution of sodium alginate (2 wt%) was developed and optimized with respect to the gluing ability in air and in water. The final paste was crosslinked within about one minute by calcium ions released from the calcium phosphate nanoparticles and contained about 20 wt% nanoparticles and 80 wt% water. The mechanical properties of the hydrogel were determined by extensive rheological tests. The thixotropic pasty hydrogel can be applied with a syringe. The adhesion strength was about 84 kPa between moist bone fragments in air. The hydrogel kept fragments of cortical bone well connected for >3 months during complete submersion in water. Besides water, the material consists only of biocompatible and biodegradable components (calcium phosphate, CMC, alginate). It carries only a very low dose of these materials into the bone site (mainly calcium phosphate nanoparticles). In-vitro cell culture with hMSCs that differentiated to osteoblasts confirmed a good biocompatibility of the bone adhesive formulation.Graphical

Preparation of new green poly (amino amide) based on cellulose nanoparticles for adsorption of Congo red and its adaptive neuro-fuzzy modeling

In this study, a novel green poly(amino amide) nanoparticle based on cellulose nanoparticles (Cell-PAMN) was developed for the efficient adsorption of Congo Red dye. Cellulose nanocrystals obtained from acid hydrolysis of cotton linter were functionalized via Oxa-Michael addition of acrylamide on their surface hydroxyl groups, followed by transamidation with ethylenediamine. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, and X-ray diffraction techniques. The as-prepared Cell-PAMN exhibited considerably higher adsorption capacity compared to unmodified cellulose nanoparticles due to the presence of amino and amide functional groups. The adsorption kinetics and the effects of parameters such as contact time and initial dye concentration on the adsorption capacity were investigated. An adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy model was used to study the efficiency of dye removal, accurately predicted the adsorption behavior of Cell-PAMN. The kinetic study results showed that the adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of around 40 mg/g. The results demonstrated the potential of the synthesized material for the removal of Congo Red from aqueous solutions, highlighting its applicability in wastewater treatment. This research contributes to the development of sustainable and eco-friendly materials for environmental remediation applications.

STUDY THE ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF GRAPHENE OXIDE – NANOCELLULOSE COMPOSITE

This study investigates the electrical properties of a graphene oxide (GO) and nanocellulose (NC) composite using impedance spectroscopy, complemented by thorough characterization through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR analysis revealed characteristic peaks corresponding to functional groups present in both GO and NC, providing insights into their chemical composition. XPS spectra exhibited distinctive peaks indicative of carbon and oxygen bonding states, elucidating the surface chemistry of the materials. Raman spectroscopy provided information on the structural order and defects within the samples, particularly highlighting the graphitic structure of GO. SEM images revealed the morphological features of the composite membrane, showcasing the distribution of NC particles and structural modifications induced by their incorporation. Impedance spectroscopy was utilized to investigate the electrical conductivity of the GO-NC composite. Results indicated a temperaturedependent behavior, with an increase in conductance observed as the temperature rose within the operational range of fuel cells. Remarkably, the addition of NC did not significantly alter the conductive behavior of the composite, suggesting compatibility and stability. In summary, this comprehensive characterization using multiple analytical techniques offers valuable insights into the electrical properties of the GO-NC composite. The findings suggest its potential for various applications requiring enhanced electrical conductivity, particularly in fuel cell technology.

Preparation and Characterization of Nano Cellulose Particles from Date Palm

Abstract The increased awareness on environmental protection and rising demand for more eco-friendly and renewable materials has resulted in the minimization of fossil fuel consumption. Date palm plantations are an important agricultural crop in the sultanate of Oman and considered as the staple food for millions of people. More than seven million date palms are available in the northern governorates of Oman. Only 50% of the dates produced are utilized for human consumption and the remaining 50% are thrown into the environment, posing threat to human and animal. This improper disposal of discarded dates leads to pollution, habitat degradation, disease transmission, soil contamination, and water pollution, threatening the environment and human/animal health. This research aims to extract nanocellulose particles from three different parts of the date palm tree (i.e coir, front, and leaves) samples using both mechanical and Soxhlet extraction methods at varying processing conditions. The acid hydrolysis of the biomass using H2SO4 (20% v/v) was carried out at 120 °C for 30 min followed by filtration, neutralization, centrifugation and drying to form the particles. The nanocellulose particles were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and UV – Visible Spectroscopic analysis. Among the three types of palm residues (coir, front, and leaves), nanocellulose particles derived from coir exhibited better yield (1.5 g), whereas front and leaves has 1.2 g and 0.9 g, yield respectively. The EDX analysis demonstrated 98% purity of nanocellulose indicates the successful extraction. The FTIR spectroscopic analysis demonstrated the existence of hydroxyl groups in nanocellulose at wave numbers corresponding to 3355.69 cm−1, 2916.26 cm−1, and 2914.22 cm−1 respectively for coir, front, and leaf respectively. The XRD analysis demonstrated the crystalline structure of the nanocellulose particles.

Facile production of water-in-oil emulsions stabilized by unmodified cellulose nanocrystals using transient double emulsions technique

For hydrophilic biomacromolecules like cellulose and cellulose nanoparticles, creating water-in-oil emulsions poses significant challenges, particularly in controlling the size distribution and the interfacial composition simultaneously. Here, we introduced a simple transient double emulsion microfluidic approach for fabricating cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) stabilized water-in-oil emulsions. It requires no chemical modifications or extra surfactants. Moreover, it allows control over the droplet size and surface coverage by simply adjusting the flow rates and particle concentration of the middle phase of the initial double emulsion. With the increase of the outer phase flow rate from 5000 μL h−1 to 8000 μL h−1, the diameter of the droplets significantly decreased from 236.0 ± 3.0 μm to 130.2 ± 2.2 μm. Moreover, the minimum CNC concentration required for emulsion stabilization using this method was lowered to only 0.1 wt%.This work demonstrates the feasibility of combining microfluidic techniques and double emulsion methods for producing unmodified CNCs-stabilized emulsions.

Assessing polylactic acid nanofibers with cellulose and chitosan nanocapsules loaded with chamomile extract for treating gram-negative infections.

This study presents the development and characterization of a novel nanocomposite wound dressing material based on polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibers incorporating chitosan nanocapsules loaded with chamomile extract and cellulose nanoparticles. The nanofibers were fabricated using a three-step synthesis and electrospinning techniques, resulting in uniform, bead-free fibers with an average diameter of 186 ± 56nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the successful incorporation of all components, while tensile strength tests demonstrated improved mechanical properties by adding nanoparticles. Water contact angle measurements revealed enhanced surface wettability of the PLA-Cellulose-Chitosan complex compared to pure PLA nanofibers. In vitro biocompatibility assessments using MTT assays showed excellent cell viability and proliferation, with the optimized composite exhibiting the best performance. Scanning electron microscopy imaging confirmed robust cell adhesion and interaction with the nanofibers. The nanocomposite demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, with a 20mm inhibition zone observed for chamomile extract-loaded samples. Additionally, the material showed superior hemostatic ability compared to commercial gauze and high hemocompatibility. These comprehensive results indicate that the developed nanocomposite is a promising candidate for advanced wound management applications, offering a multifunctional approach to wound healing by combining antimicrobial activity, cell compatibility, and hemostatic properties.

Developing a multifunctional chitosan composite sponge for managing traumatic injuries

Developing porous hemostatic sponges that are both biosafe and multifunctional remains a complex challenge. Conventional hemostatic techniques often fall short in managing bleeding effectively, leading to severe critical cases such as suboptimal hemostasis, increased infection risk, and complications arising from profuse bleeding. To address these deficits, our study introduces a novel multifunctional nanocomposite sponge that synergistically incorporates chitosan (CS), cellulose (Cel), graphene oxide (GO), and silver (Ag) nanoparticles. The resulting CS/Cel/GO/Ag developed demonstrates a swelling rate exceeding 3000 %, an absorption rate of over 2100 %, and the lowest stress surpassing 20 kPa at an initial 80 % strain. In vitro analyses reveal that the CS/Cel/GO/Ag sponge has excellent cytocompatibility, non-hemolytic nature, and competence in blood cell adherence and bacterial inhibition. In vivo evaluations further demonstrate that compared to conventional hemostatic methods, the sponge substantially enhances hemostatic efficacy, as evidenced by the marked reductions in clotting times and diminished blood loss compared to conventional hemostatic methods. Specifically, the test results of the CS/Cel/GO/Ag sponge across three different models are as follows: for the rat tail amputation model, the clotting time was 99 s, while blood loss was 222 mg; for the rat liver injury model, the clotting time was 129 s. while blood loss was 812 mg; for the rat femoral artery laceration model, the clotting time was 96 s, while blood loss was 758 mg. The compelling attributes of the CS/Cel/GO/Ag sponges position them as a promising solution for the acute management of bleeding. Their excellent performance indicates they have potential role to play in trauma care.

Conductive, injectable, and self-healing collagen-hyaluronic acid hydrogels loaded with bacterial cellulose and gold nanoparticles for heart tissue engineering

The increasing demand for advanced biomaterials in nerve tissue engineering presents numerous challenges due to the complexity of nerve tissues and the need for materials that can accurately replicate their intricate structure and function. In response, this study introduces a novel injectable hydrogel that is thermosensitive, self-healing, and conductive, offering promising potential for heart and nerve tissue engineering applications. The hydrogel is based on collagen and hyaluronic acid functionalized with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES)-grafted oxidized bacterial cellulose and gold nanoparticles (~50 nm). Rheological analysis reveals a substantial enhancement in the elastic modulus of the collagen-hyaluronic acid matrix with the incorporation of bacterial cellulose/gold nanoparticles, improving by an order of magnitude at 1 % strain. This improvement comes with a slight decrease in gelation temperature, from 36 °C to 32 °C. Besides thermo-sensitivity, the nanocomposite hydrogel exhibits a remarkable self-sealing response (about 80 % effectiveness) due to reversible physical crosslinking. Electrical spatial resistance measurements on human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes-loaded hydrogels yield a value of ~0.1 S/m, which is suitable for electrical stimulation. In vitro extracellular field potential measurements also affirm the hydrogel's potential as an injectable scaffold for heart tissue engineering, i.e., the electrically stimulated human stem cells exhibit 47 beats per minute with a cell discharge (depletion) of 5.47 μv. A rapid gel formation in the physiological temperature (about 2 min) and high H9C2 cytotoxicity (viability of >90 % after 72 h incubation) is attainable. The developed collagen-based nanocomposite hydrogel offers an injectable, thermosensitive, and self-healing biomaterial platform for nerve or myocardium regeneration.

Fostering rehydration and facilitating bioactive release through cellulose-assisted leaf surface treatment

Glyphosate is a widely used herbicide in weed control and crop protection. However, its low bioavailability on leaf surfaces of weeds led to excessive use of glyphosate, inducing herbicide-resistant development and major sustainable agricultural and environmental concerns. This study addresses these challenges by developing cellulose-assisted glyphosate formulations using superior rehydration and sustainable release capability of nanocelluloses. We prepared glyphosate-loaded nanocellulose particles (CNP) and cellulose nanofibers (CNF) to enhance the rehydration and sustained release of glyphosate on leaf surfaces. Our results have demonstrated that nanocelluloses significantly improved water capture on the leaf surface and gradual release of glyphosate, with CNP and CNF formulations showing an 8.75-fold increase in water adsorption on cotton leaves compared to the control group over 12 h. Furthermore, incorporating an inorganic salt improved moisture adsorption efficiency. The formulations exhibited high compatibility with existing spray technologies, offering substantial economic and environmental benefits for agriculture practices. This approach highlights the potential application of polysaccharides in revolutionizing agrochemical applications and environmental sustainability, providing great potential in agricultural spraying practices.

A green and fast semi-liquefaction strategy: One-step preparation of high-yield nanocellulose particles

The complexity and cost of the biorefinery industry hinder the high-value utilization of lignocellulose. Herein, we propose a green, fast, and economical oxygen-alkali-ethanol (OAE) semi-liquefaction strategy for achieving one-step preparation of hemp stalk material (HSM) biomass into nanocellulose particles (NCPs). Oxygen, alkali, and ethanol have obvious synergistic effects during the semi-liquefaction process, which jointly promote the opening and depolymerization of the crystalline regions of cellulose. The presence of hemicellulose in HSM affects the preparation of NCPs, and the removal of hemicellulose in advance can significantly increase the yield of NCPs. The results showed that the yield of NCPs was as high as 90.14 % with 92.30 % purity after treatment at 120 °C for 2 h. The conversion of rod-shaped nanocellulose to NCPs was successfully captured, and Van der Waals forces were hypothesized to play a dominant role in the formation of NCPs by molecular dynamics simulations. Moreover, the semi-liquefaction can simultaneously fractionate uncondensed lignin with a yield of 46.52 %. With ethanol as a hydrogen donor, the residual lignin was effectively converted to aromatic monomers, predominantly vanillin and syringaldehyde.

Chemical modifications of cellulose nanoparticles for anticancer applications: perspective since 2020

Chemical modifications of cellulose nanoparticles for anticancer applications: perspective since 2020