N-modified carbon quantum dot in 3D-network of microfibrillated cellulose for building photoluminescent thin film as tartrazine sensor

Microfibrillated cellulose-based colorimetric sensor strips for detecting total iron in water

Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), a sustainable material derived from biomass, stands out as an environmentally friendly alternative for developing chemical sensors owing to its advantageous properties including high porosity, surface area, and available surface functional groups. Herein, we propose a simple and low-cost strategy for developing cellulose-based strips for the colorimetric detection of total iron in water. The strips were prepared by functionalizing MFC casting membranes with 1-(2-Thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol (TAN), which was characterized by structural and morphological techniques. The sensing ability of the MFC@TAN strips towards total iron was evaluated under distinct reaction times by digital image colorimetry. Under optimal conditions, the strips yielded limits of detections of 0.08 and 0.09 mg L-1 using the Blue (5 min) and Red (30 min) channels, respectively. Additionally, the sensor enabled total iron detection in tap water in the concentration range of 0.08-0.70 mg L-1, showing no significant difference against the standard method. When compared to commercial papers, the MFC@TAN strips showed enhanced sensing performance owing to their more porous and interpenetrating structure, which benefited the TAN immobilization and reaction with Fe2+. Our cellulose-based sensor strips offer a compelling combination of simplicity in manufacturing and cost-effectiveness, highlighting their potential for routine water analysis.

Cellulose as Source and Matrix for Fluorescent Chemo-Sensors

The review explores the pivotal role of cellulose in enhancing the sensing capabilities of fluorescent chemo-sensors, particularly carbon dots (CDs) and delineates cellulose's multifaceted contributions as both a precursor and stabilizing matrix, highlighting its structural adaptability across varied forms-hydrogels, aerogels, films-to bolster the stability, sensitivity, and selectivity of these sensors. Cellulose's structural versatility enables advanced functionalization, fostering a robust platform that amplifies the stability and functional efficiency of CDs across diverse sensing paradigms. The investigation encompasses utilization of cellulose as precursor for CDs, cellulose nanocrystals and matrix for the integration of CDs, elucidating their collective impact on advancing fluorescence-based detection technologies.

A comprehensive exploration of tartrazine detection in food products: Leveraging fluorescence nanomaterials and electrochemical sensors: Recent progress and future trends

Azo dyes are widely used as food coloring agents because of their affordability and stability. Examples include brilliant blue, carmoisine, sunset yellow, allura red, and tartrazine (Tar), etc. Notably, Tar is often utilized in hazardous food goods. They are frequently flavoured and combined with food items, raising the likelihood and danger of exposure. Therefore, detecting Tar in food is crucial to prevent health risks. Fluorescence nanomaterials and electrochemical sensors, known for their high sensitivity, affordability, simplicity, and speed, have been widely adopted by researchers for Tar detection. This comprehensive paper delves into the detection of Tar in food products. It extensively covers the utilization of advanced carbon-based nanomaterials, including CDs, doped CDs, and functionalized CDs, for sensitive Tar detection. Additionally, the paper explores the application of electrochemical sensors. The paper concludes by addressing current challenges and prospects, emphasizing efforts to enhance sensitivity, and selectivity for improved food safety.

Recent advancements in nanomaterial based optical detection of food additives: a review

Food additives have become a critical component in the food industry. They are employed as preservatives to decelerate the negative effects of environmental and microbial factors on food quality. Currently, food additives are used for a variety of purposes, including colorants, flavor enhancers, nutritional supplements, etc., owing to improvements in the food industry. Since the usage of food additives has increased dramatically, the efficient monitoring of their acceptable levels in food products is quite necessary to mitigate the problems associated with their inappropriate use. The traditional methods used for detecting food additives are generally based on standard spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. However, these analytical techniques are limited by their high instrumentation cost and time-consuming procedures. The emerging field of nanotechnology has enabled the development of highly sensitive and specific sensors to analyze food additives in a rapid manner. The current article emphasizes the need to detect various food additives owing to their potential negative effects on humans, animals, and the environment. In this article, the role of nanomaterials in the optical sensing of food additives has been discussed owing to their high accuracy, ease-of-use, and excellent sensitivity. The applications of nanosensors for the detection of various food additives have been elaborated with examples. The current article will assist policymakers in developing new rules and regulations to mitigate the adverse effects of toxic food additives on humans and the environment. In addition, the prospects of nanosensors for the optical detection of food additives at a commercial scale have been discussed to combat their irrational use in the food industry.

Polysaccharide-based C-dots and polysaccharide/C-dot nanocomposites: fabrication strategies and applications

C-dots are a new class of materials with vast applications. The synthesis of bio-based C-dots has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Polysaccharides being the most abundant natural materials with high biodegradability and no toxicity have been the focus of researchers for the synthesis of C-dots. C-dots obtained from polysaccharides are generally fabricated via thermal procedures, carbonization, and microwave pyrolysis. Small size, photo-induced electron transfer (PET), and highly adjustable luminosity behavior are the most important physical and chemical properties of C-dots. However, C-dot/polysaccharide composites can be introduced as a new generation of composites that combine the features of both C-dots and polysaccharides having a wide range of applications in biomedicines, biosensors, drug delivery systems, etc. This review demonstrates the features, raw materials, and methods used for the fabrication of C-dots derived from different polysaccharides. Furthermore, the properties, applications, and synthesis conditions of various C-dot/polysaccharide composites are discussed in detail.

Application of Nanotechnology in Wood-Based Products Industry: A Review

Wood-based industry is one of the main drivers of economic growth in Malaysia. Forest being the source of various lignocellulosic materials has many untapped potentials that could be exploited to produce sustainable and biodegradable nanosized material that possesses very interesting features for use in wood-based industry itself or across many different application fields. Wood-based products sector could also utilise various readily available nanomaterials to enhance the performance of existing products or to create new value added products from the forest. This review highlights recent developments in nanotechnology application in the wood-based products industry.

Current State of Applications of Nanocellulose in Flexible Energy and Electronic Devices

Novel and unique applications of nanocellulose are largely driven by the functional attributes governed by its structural and physicochemical features including excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. In recent years, thousands of groundbreaking works have helped in the development of targeted functional nanocellulose for conductive, optical, luminescent materials, and other applications. The growing demand for sustainable and renewable materials has led to the rapid development of greener methods for the design and fabrication of high-performance green nanomaterials with multiple features, and consequently new challenges and opportunities. The present review article discusses historical developments, various fabrication and functionalization methods, the current stage, and the prospects of flexible energy and hybrid electronics based on nanocellulose.