A finger-jointing model for describing ultrastructures of cellulose microfibrils.

In this paper, we propose a finger-jointing model to describe the possible ultrastructures of cellulose microfibrils based on new observations obtained through heating of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) in saturated water vapor. We heated the micrometers-long TEMPO-CNFs in saturated water vapor (≥ 120 °C, ≥ 0.2 MPa) and observed a surprising fact that the long TEMPO-CNFs unzipped into short (100 s of nanometers long) fibers.

Graphene nanosheets homogeneously incorporated in polyurethane sponge for the elimination of water-soluble organic dyes.

Highly dispersed graphene nanosheets (GNS) are directly integrated into polyurethane sponge for the very first time. Individual GNS with an average thickness of 5 nm were uniformly encapsulated in polyurethane sponge (PUF). Highly durable, flexible, hydrophilic GNS/PUF demonstrated excellent organic dye absorption properties.

Aerogels from copper (II)-cellulose nanofibers and carbon nanotubes as absorbents for the elimination of toxic gases from air.

A novel deodorizer that is capable of selectively eliminating the odorous chemicals, such as ammonia, trimethylamine, hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan, is described. The deodorizer is a nanostructured aerogel by nature, consisting of 2,2-6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), transition metal divalent cations (M), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) as the constitutive elements. CNF are firstly mixed with M (M, in this paper, typifies Ni, Co and Cu) to form CNF-M complexes, monodispersed CNT is then mixed to prepare CNT/CNF-M waterborne slurries; CNT/CNF-M hybridized aerogels are finally obtained via freezing-drying of the CNT/CNF-M waterborne slurries.

Stabilization of Prussian blue using copper sulfate for eliminating radioactive cesium from a high pH solution and seawater.

Prussian blue (PB), an adsorbent for the selective elimination of radioactive cesium from water, is highly versatile due to its unique crystal structure. However, PB crystals quickly decompose in an alkaline solution, generating hazardous cyanide contamination. In this research, the alkaline susceptibility of PB was remedied by incorporating copper sulfate as a protector.

Environmental Remediation Applications of Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Oxide: Adsorption and Catalysis.

Environmental issues such as the wastewater have influenced each aspect of our lives. Coupling the existing remediation solutions with exploring new functional carbon nanomaterials (e.g.

Cellulose nanofiber backboned Prussian blue nanoparticles as powerful adsorbents for the selective elimination of radioactive cesium.

On 11 March 2011, the day of the unforgettable disaster of the 9 magnitude Tohoku earthquake and quickly followed by the devastating Tsunami, a damageable amount of radionuclides had dispersed from the Fukushima Daiichi's damaged nuclear reactors. Decontamination of the dispersed radionuclides from seawater and soil, due to the huge amounts of coexisting ions with competitive functionalities, has been the topmost difficulty. Ferric hexacyanoferrate, also known as Prussian blue (PB), has been the most powerful material for selectively trapping the radioactive cesium ions; its high tendency to form stable colloids in water, however, has made PB to be impossible for the open-field radioactive cesium decontamination applications.

Sodium cobalt hexacyanoferrate encapsulated in alginate vesicle with CNT for both cesium and strontium removal.

Sodium cobalt hexacyanoferrate (CoFC)-encapsulating alginate beads reinforced with highly dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes were prepared for the aqueous removal of cesium and strontium ions. Carbon nanotubes enhanced the effective surface area, encapsulation ability and adsorption capacity of beads. Equilibrium and kinetic studies were conducted with different mathematical models.

Prussian blue caged in alginate/calcium beads as adsorbents for removal of cesium ions from contaminated water.

Prussian blue encapsulated in alginate beads reinforced with highly dispersed carbon nanotubes were prepared for the safe removal of cesium ions from aqueous solutions. Equilibrium and kinetic studies were conducted using different models and the goodness of mathematical fitting of the experimental data on the adsorption isotherms was in the order Langmuir>Freundlich, and that of the kinetic models were in the order of pseudo second order>pseudo first order. Fixed bed adsorption column analysis indicated that the beads can be used for large scale treatment of cesium contaminated water.