Infrared thermal activation (IRTA) is considered an efficient approach to accelerate reaction rates. We report the first example of application of IRTA to achieve surface functionalization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in solvent-less conditions with epoxidized linoleic acid (ELA), synthesized by enzymatic approach using CaLB (lipase B from Candida antarctica) and H2O2. The final goal is to enhance the hydrophobicity of cellulosic surfaces of bio-based materials, with potential application in the coating industry. The reaction is extended to delignified rice husk (d-RH), a largely available agro-waste and a cost-effective cellulose-rich biomass. Solid-state cross polarization magic angle spinning (CP MAS) 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses, liquid state 1H-NMR, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) data support a fine structural characterization of both functionalized CNCs and d-RH to assess the effectiveness of the strategy used and the characteristics of the materials. Water contact angle measurements confirm the changed surface chemistry and the occurrence of hydrophobization on CNCs and d-RH. This efficient and sustainable method can have potential application in industrial-scale environments to change the properties of ligno-cellulosic biomass and bio-based materials in general.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202500164 | DOI Listing |
Nanomaterials (Basel)
February 2025
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV 89557, USA.
Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs), and cellulose-based composites represent a convergence of material science, sustainability, and advanced engineering, paving the way for innovative and eco-friendly materials. This paper presents a comprehensive review of these materials, encompassing their extraction, preparation methods, properties, applications, and future directions. The manufacturing of CNFs and CNMs leverages diverse techniques-chemical, mechanical, and enzymatic-with each offering distinct advantages in tailoring material characteristics to meet specific needs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNanoscale
March 2025
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Fiber and Polymer Technology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Teknikringen 56, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.
Biobased cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) constitute important building blocks for biomimetic, nanostructured materials, and considerable potential exists in their hybridization with tailorable polymeric nanoparticles. CNFs naturally assemble into oriented, fibrillar structures in their cross-section. This work shows that polymeric nanoparticle additives have the potential to increase or decrease orientation of these cellulose structures, which allows the control of bulk mechanical properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Nano
March 2025
School of Science and Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Aggregate Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518172, P.R. China.
Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) systems exhibiting room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) are attracting considerable attention for applications in information encryption and smart sensing. However, achieving ultralong circularly polarized RTP (CPRTP) with tunable chirality and stimuli-responsive CPL remains challenging. Inspired by the color-changing properties of the butterfly, we developed a cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-based photonic crystal film with an ultralong RTP lifetime of 2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
March 2025
Akdeniz University, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, 07058 Antalya, Turkey. Electronic address:
The research on finding alternative natural and inexpensive materials for the development of biodegradable intelligent food packaging materials is increasing day by day to reduce plastic waste in the environment. In this study, new oak tree acorn starch-based films (S) with pH-sensitive and antimicrobial property were developed using oak tree acorns, quercetin (QUE) extract obtained from red onion peel and ZnO nanoparticles and their physicochemical, mechanical, thermal and barrier properties were compared with those of methyl cellulose-based films. S-QUE film having colorimetric pH-indicator property showed an obvious color variation from pink to green/yellow at different pH values (pH 1-12).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomacromolecules
March 2025
Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, Aalto University, Aalto FI-00076, Finland.
Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) fillers have been shown to significantly improve the performance of polymer composites and hydrogels, elevating both strength and toughness. Polymer grafting from the surface of the nanocrystals has been employed to enhance matrix-filler interactions and keep the fillers dispersed within the matrix. However, such approaches often rely on multistep syntheses and diligent process control.
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