Layer-by-layer assembly induced strong, hydrophobic and anti-bacterial TEMPO oxidized cellulose nanofibrils films for highly efficient UV-shielding and oil-water separation

Microwave/ultrasonic powered in-liquid plasma-assisted synthesis of 3D-hierarchical nanoporous network wheat-straw lignin/thiadiazole amide-modified cellulose sponge composite for oil-in-water emulsion separation and microbiological disinfection

Innovative super-hydrophilic/superoleophobic eco-friendly sponge composite is fabricated by integrating chemically-modified cellulose with lignin derived from bio-waste wheat-straw. Such combination is implemented by modifying cellulose with thiadiazole-amide and integrating it with lignin using microwave/ultrasonic-powered in-liquid plasma. Physicochemical characteristics of sponge-composite (WL-TDAC) are studied using FTIR, N2-physisorption, DLS, SEM, chemical-computational analysis, and surface wettability. In-liquid plasma irradiations inspire formation of abundant hydrogen bonds between cellulose and lignin, constructing highly negatively-charged sponge (ζAv = -36 eV) of developed surface character and 3D-hierarchical interconnected porous structure with a pore-size of ~2 nm. Sponge-composite displays underwater-oil-contact angles of 124° and 164.8° for n-hexane/water and dichloromethane/water mixtures, respectively, with water-contact-angle near 0°. Superhydrophilic-superoleophobic sponge powerfully separates light-oil/water and heavy-oil/water mixtures yielding water-permeation-fluxes of 8812.5 and 7500 L/m2/h, respectively, keeping separation-efficiencies >96 % for ten-cycles. Sponge-composite is a gorgeous disinfectant against hazardous bacteria/fungi. Cellulose-based lignin sponge seeds as promissory futuristic oil-in-water emulsion antimicrobial separator features for cleaning wastewater from oils and noxious microorganisms.

Advances of blend films based on natural food soft matter: Multi-scale structural analysis

The blend films made of food soft matter are of growing interest to the food packaging industries as a pro-environment packaging option. The blend films have become a novel pattern to replace traditional plastics gradually due to their characteristics of biodegradability, sustainability, and environmental friendliness. This review discussed the whole process of the manufacturing of food soft matter blend films from the raw material to the application due to multi-scale structural analysis. There are 3 stages and 12 critical analysis points of the entire process. The raw material, molecular self-assembly, film-forming mechanism and performance test of blend films are investigated. In addition, 11 kinds of blend films with different functional properties by casting are also preliminarily described. The industrialization progress of blend films can be extended or facilitated by analysis of the 12 critical analysis points and classification of the food soft matter blend films which has a great potential in protecting environment by developing sustainable packaging solutions.

Preparation of nanocellulose and its applications in wound dressing: A review

Nanocellulose, as a nanoscale polymer material, has garnered significant attention worldwide due to its numerous advantages including excellent biocompatibility, thermal stability, non-toxicity, large specific surface area, and good hydrophilicity. Various methods can be employed for the preparation of nanocellulose. Traditional approaches such as mechanical, chemical, and biological methods possess their own distinct characteristics and limitations. However, with the growing deterioration of our living environment, several green and environmentally friendly preparation techniques have emerged. These novel approaches adopt eco-friendly technologies or employ green reagents to achieve environmental sustainability. Simultaneously, there is a current research focus on optimizing traditional nanocellulose preparation methods while addressing their inherent drawbacks. The combination of mechanical and chemical methods compensates for the limitations associated with using either method alone. Nanocellulose is widely used in wound dressings owing to its exceptional properties, which can accelerate the wound healing process and reduce patient discomfort. In this paper, the principle, advantages and disadvantages of each preparation method of nanocellulose and the research findings in recent years are introduced Moreover, this review provides an overview of the utilization of nanocellulose in wound dressing applications. Finally, the prospective trends in its development alongside corresponding preparation techniques are discussed.