The proper mix of nanocellulose to a dispersion of polar and nonpolar liquids creates emulsions stabilized by finely divided solids (instead of tensoactive chemicals) named Pickering emulsions. These mixtures can be engineered to develop new food products with innovative functions, potentially more eco-friendly characteristics, and reduced risks to consumers. Although cellulose-based Pickering emulsion preparation is an exciting approach to creating new food products, there are many legal, technical, environmental, and economic gaps to be filled through research.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiodegradable aerogels may help to develop eco-friendly technological pathways to increase the efficiency of chemical processes. In the present work, we describe the preparation of a novel bacterial cellulose aerogel oxidized by TEMPO, nanofibrillated in a blender, and silanized with methyltrimethoxysilane, resulting in four different types of aerogel. The aerogels produced from the double-functionalized cellulose suspension (BC) were compared to other non-oxidized (BC and BC) and non-silanized (BC) aerogels All aerogels were very light (density 10-14 kg.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBacterial cellulose (BC) is a polymer with interesting physical properties owing to the regular and uniform structure of its nanofibers, which are formed by amorphous (disordered) and crystalline (ordered) regions. Through hydrolysis with strong acids, it is possible to transform BC into a stable suspension of cellulose nanocrystals, adding new functionality to the material. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of inorganic acids on the production of BC nanocrystals (BCNCs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aimed to characterize nanocellulose extracted from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) linters. The nanocellulose was subjected to electronic microscopy, thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry, light scattering, and contact angle. The properties of the nanocellulose are considerably different from the linter.
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