Using reduced sericin as a green resist for precise pattern fabrication via water-based lithography.

The use of toxic resists and complex procedures has impeded the resolution and quality of micro/nanofabrication on virtually arbitrary substrates via photolithography. To fabricate a precise and high-resolution pattern, a sericin nanofilm-based coating was developed by reducing disulfide bonds and subsequently assembling sericin protein. Upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, intermolecular amide bonds in sericin are cleaved through the action of a reducing agent, allowing the reduced sericin (rSer) coating to exhibit the functional ability to generate diverse geometric micro/nanopatterns through photomask-governed photolithography.

The Correlations between Microstructures and Color Properties of Nanocrystalline Cellulose: A Concise Review.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are a green resource which can produce photonic crystal films with structural colors in evaporation-induced self-assembly; CNC photonic crystal films present unique structural colors that cannot be matched by other colored materials. Recently, the mechanisms of CNC photonic crystal films with a unique liquid crystal structure were investigated to obtain homogenous, stable, and even flexible films at a large scale. To clarify the mechanism of colorful CNC photonic crystal films, we briefly summarize the recent advances from the correlations among the preparation methods, microstructures, and color properties.

Controllable preparation and morphology regulation of nanocelluloses from waste paper by a green hydrolysis method.

This study focused on the morphology regulation of nanocelluloses (NCs) aiming at preparing NCs with the controllable properties. NCs with rod-shaped, spherical, and rod-shaped and spherical composite structures were prepared from waste paper by a green enzymatic hydrolysis. The critical enzyme concentration for the transition of NCs from one morphology to another was explored.

Temperature-Switching Flexible Strain Sensors Based on Vanadium Dioxide for Intelligent Packaging Applications.

Flexible sensors are promising for intelligent packaging and artificial intelligence, but the required multistimulus response is still a challenge in external environments. A candidate material for such multistimulus response is VO due to its unique semiconducting properties. Herein, W-doped VO(M) with a tunable phase transition temperature was prepared by the hydrothermal method, and then, VO(M)-based flexible sensors were fabricated employing a direct-write strategy, where conductive inks with VO(M) powders were patterned onto various substrates.

Recent Advances in Environment-Friendly Polyurethanes from Polyols Recovered from the Recycling and Renewable Resources: A Review.

Polyurethane (PU) is among the most universal polymers and has been extensively applied in many fields, such as construction, machinery, furniture, clothing, textile, packaging and biomedicine. Traditionally, as the main starting materials for PU, polyols deeply depend on petroleum stock. From the perspective of recycling and environmental friendliness, advanced PU synthesis, using diversified resources as feedstocks, aims to develop versatile products with excellent properties to achieve the transformation from a fossil fuel-driven energy economy to renewable and sustainable ones.

Fine extraction of cellulose from corn straw and the application for eco-friendly packaging films enhanced with polyvinyl alcohol.

Biomass materials substituting for petroleum-based polymers occupy an important position in achieving sustainable development. Cellulose, a typical biomass material, stands out as the primary choice for producing eco-friendly packaging materials. However, it is still a challenge to efficiently utilize cellulose from waste biomass materials in practice.

Recent Progresses in Pyrolysis of Plastic Packaging Wastes and Biomass Materials for Conversion of High-Value Carbons: A Review.

The recycling of plastic packaging wastes helps to alleviate the problems of white pollution and resource shortage. It is very necessary to develop high-value conversion technologies for plastic packaging wastes. To our knowledge, carbon materials with excellent properties have been widely used in energy storage, adsorption, water treatment, aerospace and functional packaging, and so on.

Eco-friendly microalgae harvesting using lipid-cored particles with a comparative life-cycle assessment.

This study proposed an innovative approach using lipid-cored particles (LCPs) aimed at addressing the efficiency, cost, and environmental impact challenges in microalgae harvesting. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and chitosan (CS) were used to modify LCPs and to optimize efficiency and investigate the mechanisms of harvesting with Chlorella vulgaris. Results showed that a maximum harvesting efficiency of 97.

Effect of Different Silane Coupling Agents on Properties of Waste Corrugated Paper Fiber/Polylactic Acid Composites.

The surface of plant fibers was modified by silane coupling agents to prepare plant fiber/polylactic acid (PLA) composites, which can improve the dispersion, adhesion, and compatibility between the plant fibers and the PLA matrix. In this work, three silane coupling agents (KH550, KH560, and KH570) with different molecular structures were used to modify the surface of waste corrugated paper fibers (WFs), and dichloromethane was used as the solvent to prepare the WF/PLA composites. The effects of different silane coupling agents on the microstructure, mechanical properties, thermal decomposition, and crystallization properties of the composites were studied.

Synthesis and Properties of Carbon Microspheres from Waste Office Paper.

As a kind of biomass resource, waste office paper can be used as a carbon precursor to prepare carbon materials. In this work, carbon microspheres with regular shape, uniform particle size and high carbon content were successfully prepared from waste office paper via a hydrothermal synthesis method with sulfuric acid as the catalyst. The effects of reaction temperature and sulfuric acid dosage on the morphology of the carbon microspheres were studied.

Surface charge regulation of imidazolium salts/starch/carboxymethyl cellulose ternary polymer blend films for controlling antimicrobial performance and hydrophobicity.

Starch (SR)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) based antimicrobial films have been widely applied in packaging field. As a high-effect antimicrobial agent, the surface charge of imidazolium salt plays an important effect on antimicrobial performances of starch/carboxymethyl cellulose. Here in, the surface charge of dodecyl imidazolium bromide salt was regulated via thiol-ene reaction.

Self-assembly of porous cellulose fibers and the incorporation of graphene carbon quantum dots for stable luminescence.

Porous fibers as excellent carriers can be used to prepare photoluminescence materials. Herein, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were derived from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) by sulfuric acid hydrolysis. After CNCs were squeezed into a coagulating bath containing silicon precursors obtained by the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate, porous cellulose fibers were constructed through self-assembly and then incorporated with graphene carbon quantum dots (GQDs) to prepare porous photoluminescence cellulose fibers.

Research Progress of Treatment Technology and Adsorption Materials for Removing Chromate in the Environment.

Cr is used extensively in industry, so the number of Cr (VI) hazards is increasing. The effective control and removal of Cr (VI) from the environment are becoming an increasing research priority. In order to provide a more comprehensive description of the research progress of chromate adsorption materials, this paper summarizes the articles describing chromate adsorption in the past five years.

Construction of self-assembled bilayer core-shell VO microspheres as absorber with superior microwave absorption performance.

The design and preparation of heterogeneous structures of dielectric materials has been the mainstream direction for the construction of superior microwave absorption materials (MAMs). We report a facile and efficient procedure combination of hydrothermal process and subsequent heat treatment for successfully prepared bilayer core-shell structure self-assembled VO microspheres (BCSV). The microstructure, defects, dielectric properties and microwave absorption (MA) properties of BCSV were systematically investigated, and the effect of bilayer core-shell structure on the MA properties was discussed.

Construct of CoZnO/CSP biomass-derived carbon composites with broad effective absorption bandwidth of 7.2 GHz and excellent microwave absorption performance.

Biomass-carbon materials have excellent electromagnetic wave attenuation properties, which is one of the essential factors for developing ultra-thin matched-thickness, and high-performance microwave absorption materials. This study reports a two-step procedure consisting of carbonization and subsequent in-situ growth for preparing a wrinkle-like multilayer biomass-derived composites with magnetic Co particles and ZnO particles (CoZnO/C-X). The synergistic effect of a wrinkle-like multilayer structure and Co and ZnO particles, as well as the existence of many heterogeneous interfaces in the composites structure, and efficiently creates multiple scattering and reflections, which gives the composites the strong microwave absorption properties.

Research Progress on Up-Conversion Fluorescence Probe for Detection of Perfluorooctanoic Acid in Water Treatment.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a new type of organic pollutant in wastewater that is persistent, toxic, and accumulates in living organisms. The development of rapid and sensitive analytical methods to detect PFOA in environmental media is of great importance. Fluorescence detection has the advantages of high efficiency and low cost, in which fluorescent probes have excellent fluorescence properties, excellent bio-solubility, and remarkable photostability.

The Mechanical Behavior and Enhancement Mechanism of Short Carbon Fiber Reinforced AFS Interface.

The aluminum foam sandwich (AFS), which perfectly combines the excellent merits of an aluminum foam core and face sheet materials, has extensive and reliable applications in many fields, such as aerospace, military equipment, transportation, and so on. Adhesive bonding is one of the most widely used methods to produce AFS due to its general applicability, simple process, and low cost, however, the bonding interface is known as the weak link and may cause a serious accident. To overcome the shortcomings of a bonded AFS interface, short carbon fiber as a reinforcement phase was introduced to epoxy resin to reinforce the interface adhesion strength of AFS.

Preparation of Low Volatile Organic Compounds Silver Paste Containing Ternary Conductive Fillers and Optimization of Their Performances.

Conductive silver paste is a key material in the fields of printed circuits and printed electronic devices. However, the preparation of conductive silver paste with low-cost and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is still a challenge. In this work, conductive silver pastes with excellent comprehensive performances were developed by using water-borne polyurethane (WPU) as the bonding phase and using the ternary mixture of Ag microflakes (Ag MFs), Ag nanowires (Ag NWs), and Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) as the conductive phase.

A facile, alternative and sustainable feedstock for transparent polyurethane elastomers from chemical recycling waste PET in high-efficient way.

Polymers with excellent optical and mechanical performance fabricated from renewable resources, have been paid an increasing attention in recent years. Here, high-performing polyurethane elastomers with significant mechanical properties, crystallinity, excellent stretchability and good transparency are prepared by a synergistic molecular design in the soft and hard segments. Using the liquid glycolysis degradation product (LGOP) as a chain extender, polyurethane elastomer is synthesized from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste bottles.

Preparation and Properties of Waste Corrugated Paper Fiber/Polylactic Acid Co-Extruded Composite.

In order to explore the methods of recycling waste paper, reduce environment pollution, and develop a circular economy, the application of waste corrugated paper to the strengthening of polylactic acid (PLA) was studied. Plant fiber from waste corrugated paper (WCPF) was used to prepare WCPF/PLA composite via co-extrusion. The WCPF was extracted from the waste corrugated paper by beating in a Valli beating machine and grinding in a disc grinder.

A Study on Doping and Compound of Zinc Oxide Photocatalysts.

As an excellent semiconductor photocatalyst, zinc oxide is widely used in the field of photocatalysis and is regarded as one of the most reliable materials to solve environmental problems. However, because its band gap energy limits the absorption of visible light and reduces the efficiency of catalytic degradation, it needs to be doped with other substances or compounded with other substances and precious metal. This paper summarizes the research on this aspect at home and abroad in recent years, introduces the doping of transition metal ions by zinc oxide, the compounding of zinc oxide with precious metals or other semiconductors, and the prospect of further improving the catalytic efficiency of zno photocatalyst is also put forward.

Structural optimization and antibacterial property of alkylimidazole salt/carboxymethyl cellulose/starch composite films.

As a green solvent, alkylimidazolium salt has attracted much attention due to high antibacterial activity and excellent biocompatibility. In this work, 1-allyl-3-alkylimidazolium bromide ionic liquids (AIMB) were synthesized in a closed system. Using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and starch (SR) as carriers, 1-allyl-3-dodecylimidazolium bromide ionic liquid (AIMC12)/CMC/SR (AIMCS) films were prepared via solution casting method.

The Reinforcing Effect of Waste Corrugated Paper Fiber on Polylactic Acid.

To improve the recycle value of waste paper and promote circular economic development, waste corrugated paper fiber (WCPF) was used as a reinforcing agent to prepare waste corrugated paper fiber/polylactic acid (WCPF/PLA) composites via dichloromethane solvent which can be reused. The WCPF in the waste corrugated paper is extracted by beating in a Valli beating machine for different time lengths and grinding in a disc grinder. The effects of beating time and the content of WCPF on the microstructure, mechanical properties, thermal decomposition process, and crystallization properties of the WCPF/PLA composite were studied.

The Reinforcing Effect of Waste Polyester Fiber on Recycled Polyethylene.

To improve the performance and application value of recycled plastics, filling modification has been widely used in waste plastic reinforcement. In this study, recycled polyethylene (RPE) was reinforced via extrusion blending using waste polyester fiber (WPF) from a waste silk wadding quilt as a reinforcer. The effects of the amount of WPF on the mechanical properties, the thermal stability of RPE and the microstructure of the RPE/WPF composite were studied.