Nanocellulose reinforced polyvinyl alcohol-based bio-nanocomposite films: improved mechanical, UV-light barrier, and thermal properties.

This study reported the development and characterisation of bio-nanocomposite films based on the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) reinforced with cellulose nanofibres (CNFs) of different concentrations (1-5 wt%), isolated from pineapple leaf fibre high-shear homogenisation and ultrasonication. The PVA film and bio-nanocomposite were prepared using a solution casting method. The PVA film and bio-nanocomposite samples were characterized using FE-SEM, XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy in transmission mode, TGA, and DTG.

High-performance sulfonated polyether sulfone/chitosan membrane on creatinine transport improved by lithium chloride.

Membrane-based polyether sulfone (PES) is a potential candidate for hemodialysis because of its properties such as high mechanical strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance. However, the nature of the hydrophobicity in the PES membrane inhibits their performance in transporting creatinine. In this study, polyethersulfone (PES) membranes were modified using a sulfonation process and the addition of chitosan (CS) and lithium chloride (LiCl) to improve its performance in transporting creatinine.

Self-Assembled Behavior of Ultralightweight Aerogel from a Mixture of CNC/CNF from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches.

This study aims to explore the use of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and cellulose nanofiber (CNF), obtained from unbleached fiber of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB), as raw materials in fabricating aerogel, using the facile technique without solvent displacement. The CNC was isolated from sulfuric acid hydrolysis, and the CNF was fibrillated using Ultra Turrax. The CNC and CNF were mixed by ultrasonication in different ratios to produce aerogel using slow freezing (-20 °C), followed by freeze-drying.

Oil palm empty fruit bunch-based nanocellulose as a super-adsorbent for water remediation.

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB)-based nanocellulose (NC) was successfully produced as a super-adsorbent for water remediation via sulfuric (NCS) and phosphoric (NCP) acid hydrolysis and functionalized with activated carbon (AC). The formation of sulfonic groups on the NCS surface could achieve higher remediation capabilities than that of EFB-NCP. In a very short period, 2 wt.

Atomic Layer Deposition of Metal Oxide on Nanocellulose for Enabling Microscopic Characterization of Polymer Nanocomposites.

Analysis of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) at low volume fractions in polymer nanocomposites through conventional electron microscopy still remains a challenge due to insufficient contrast between CNCs and organic polymer matrices. Herein, a methodology for enhancing the contrast of CNC, through atomic layer deposition (ALD) of alumina (Al O ) on CNCs is demonstrated. The metal oxide coated CNC allows clear visualization by transmission electron microscopy, when they are dispersed in water and polyol.