Cellulose modified to host functionalities via facile cation exchange approach.

Properties of cellulose are typically functionalized by organic chemistry means. We progress an alternative facile way to functionalize cellulose by functional group counter-cation exchange. While ion-exchange is established for cellulose, it is far from exploited and understood beyond the most common cation, sodium.

Elucidating intermolecular forces to improve compatibility of kraft lignin in poly(lactic acid).

Owing to its abundant supply from renewable resources, lignin has emerged as a promising functional filler for the development of sustainable composite materials. However, achieving good interfacial compatibility between lignin and synthetic polymers, particularly poly (lactic acid) (PLA), remains a fundamental challenge. To advance the development of high-performance bio-based composites incorporating lignin and PLA, our study has scrutinized to unravel the nuances of interfacial binding interactions with the lignin and PLA composite system.

Nanostructures of etherified arabinoxylans and the effect of arabinose content on material properties.

To further our understanding of a thermoplastic arabinoxylan (AX) material obtained through an oxidation-reduction-etherification pathway, the role of the initial arabinose:xylose ratio on the material properties was investigated. Compression molded films with one molar substitution of butyl glycidyl ether (BGE) showed markedly different tensile behaviors. Films made from low arabinose AX were less ductile, while those made from high arabinose AX exhibited elastomer-like behaviors.

Integration of subcritical water extraction and treatment with xylanases and feruloyl esterases maximises release of feruloylated arabinoxylans from wheat bran.

Wheat bran is an abundant and low valued agricultural feedstock rich in valuable biomolecules as arabinoxylans (AX) and ferulic acid with important functional and biological properties. An integrated bioprocess combining subcritical water extraction (SWE) and enzymatic treatments has been developed for maximised recovery of feruloylated arabinoxylans and oligosaccharides from wheat bran. A minimal enzymatic cocktail was developed combining one xylanase from different glycosyl hydrolase families and a feruloyl esterase.

The enhanced ionic thermal potential by a polarized electrospun membrane.

Inspired by thermally sensitive ion channels in human skin, a polarized membrane composed of a ferroelectric polymer fiber matrix is used to double the heat-induced potential in ionic thermoelectric devices. The comparison of the thermal potentials between different directions of polarization and temperature gradient indicates the importance of cation-dipole interactions for the enhancement.

Impact of doping on the mechanical properties of conjugated polymers.

Conjugated polymers exhibit a unique portfolio of electrical and electrochemical behavior, which - paired with the mechanical properties that are typical for macromolecules - make them intriguing candidates for a wide range of application areas from wearable electronics to bioelectronics. However, the degree of oxidation or reduction of the polymer can strongly impact the mechanical response and thus must be considered when designing flexible or stretchable devices. This tutorial review first explores how the chain architecture, processing as well as the resulting nano- and microstructure impact the rheological and mechanical properties.

Polysaccharide utilization loci from Bacteroidota encode CE15 enzymes with possible roles in cleaving pectin-lignin bonds.

Lignocellulose is a renewable but complex material exhibiting high recalcitrance to enzymatic hydrolysis, which is attributed, in part, to the presence of covalent linkages between lignin and polysaccharides in the plant cell wall. Glucuronoyl esterases from carbohydrate esterase family 15 (CE15) have been proposed as an aid in reducing this recalcitrance by cleaving ester bonds found between lignin and glucuronoxylan. In the Bacteroidota phylum, some species organize genes related to carbohydrate metabolism in polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) which encode all necessary proteins to bind, deconstruct, and respond to a target glycan.

eSoil: A low-power bioelectronic growth scaffold that enhances crop seedling growth.

Active hydroponic substrates that stimulate on demand the plant growth have not been demonstrated so far. Here, we developed the eSoil, a low-power bioelectronic growth scaffold that can provide electrical stimulation to the plants' root system and growth environment in hydroponics settings. eSoil's active material is an organic mixed ionic electronic conductor while its main structural component is cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer.

Ground-state electron transfer in all-polymer donor:acceptor blends enables aqueous processing of water-insoluble conjugated polymers.

Water-based conductive inks are vital for the sustainable manufacturing and widespread adoption of organic electronic devices. Traditional methods to produce waterborne conductive polymers involve modifying their backbone with hydrophilic side chains or using surfactants to form and stabilize aqueous nanoparticle dispersions. However, these chemical approaches are not always feasible and can lead to poor material/device performance.

Three-Dimensional Printing of Cellulose/Covalent Organic Frameworks (CelloCOFs) for CO Adsorption and Water Treatment.

The development of porous organic polymers, specifically covalent organic frameworks (COFs), has facilitated the advancement of numerous applications. Nevertheless, the limited availability of COFs solely in powder form imposes constraints on their potential applications. Furthermore, it is worth noting that COFs tend to undergo aggregation, leading to a decrease in the number of active sites available within the material.

Mechanically recyclable melt-spun fibers from lignin esters and iron oxide nanoparticles: towards circular lignin materials.

The inferior thermoplastic properties have limited production of melt-spun fibers from lignin. Here we report on the controlled esterification of softwood kraft lignin (SKL) to enable scalable, solvent-free melt spinning of microfibers using a cotton candy machine. We found that it is crucial to control the esterification process as melt-spun fibers could be produced from lignin oleate and lignin stearate precursors with degrees of esterification (DE) ranging from 20-50%, but not outside this range.

The Nanoscale Ordering of Cellulose in a Hierarchically Structured Hybrid Material Revealed Using Scanning Electron Diffraction.

Cellulose, being a renewable and abundant biopolymer, has garnered significant attention for its unique properties and potential applications in hybrid materials. Understanding the hierarchical arrangement of cellulose nanofibers is crucial for developing cellulose-based materials with enhanced mechanical properties. In this study, the use of Scanning Electron Diffraction (SED) is presented to map the nanoscale orientation of cellulose fibers in a bio-composite material with a preserved wood cell structure.

Resin acids play key roles in shaping microbial communities during degradation of spruce bark.

The bark is the outermost defense of trees against microbial attack, largely thanks to toxicity and prevalence of extractive compounds. Nevertheless, bark decomposes in nature, though by which species and mechanisms remains unknown. Here, we have followed the development of microbial enrichments growing on spruce bark over six months, by monitoring both chemical changes in the material and performing community and metagenomic analyses.

Coloration and Fire Retardancy of Transparent Wood Composites by Metal Ions.

Transparent wood composites (TWs) offer the possibility of unique coloration effects. A colored transparent wood composite (C-TW) with enhanced fire retardancy was impregnated by metal ion solutions, followed by methyl methacrylate (MMA) impregnation and polymerization. Bleached birch wood with a preserved hierarchical structure acted as a host for metal ions.

The Origin of Thermal Gradient-Induced Voltage in Polyelectrolytes.

Ionic thermoelectric materials can generate large thermal voltages under temperature gradients while also being low-cost and environmentally friendly. Many electrolytes with large Seebeck coefficients are reported in recent years, however, the mechanism of the thermal voltage is remained elusive. In this work, three types of polyelectrolytes are studied with different cations and identified a significant contribution to their thermal voltage originating from a concentration gradient.

Acetylation of Nanocellulose: Miscibility and Reinforcement Mechanisms in Polymer Nanocomposites.

The improvement of properties in nanocomposites obtained by topochemical surface modification, e.g., acetylation, of the nanoparticles is often ascribed to improved between the nanoparticle and the matrix.

Correction: Investigation of cellulose dissolution in morpholinium-based solvents: impact of solvent structural features on cellulose dissolution.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D3RA03370H.].

Empowering Adsorption and Photocatalytic Degradation of Ciprofloxacin on BiOI Composites: A Material-by-Design Investigation.

Binary and ternary composites of BiOI with NH-MIL-101(Fe) and a functionalized biochar were synthesized through an approach, aimed at spurring the activity of the semiconductor as a photocatalyst for the removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP) from water. Experimental outcomes showed a drastic enhancement of the adsorption and the equilibrium (which increased from 39.31 mg g of bare BiOI to 76.

Switchable Broadband Terahertz Absorbers Based on Conducting Polymer-Cellulose Aerogels.

Terahertz (THz) technologies provide opportunities ranging from calibration targets for satellites and telescopes to communication devices and biomedical imaging systems. A main component will be broadband THz absorbers with switchability. However, optically switchable materials in THz are scarce and their modulation is mostly available at narrow bandwidths.

Re-Designing Cellulosic Core-Shell Composite Fibers for Advanced Photothermal and Thermal-Regulating Performance.

Flexible fibers and textiles featuring photothermal conversion and storage capacities are ideal platforms for solar-energy utilization and wearable thermal management. Other than using fossil-fuel-based synthetic fibers, re-designing natural fibers with nanotechnology is a sustainable but challenging option. Herein, advanced core-shell structure fibers based on plant-based nanocelluloses are obtained using a facile co-axial wet-spinning process, which has superior photothermal and thermal-regulating performances.

Impact of Extraction Method on the Structure of Lignin from Ball-Milled Hardwood.

Understanding the structure of hardwoods can permit better valorization of lignin by enabling the optimization of green, high-yield extraction protocols that preserve the structure of wood biopolymers. To that end, a mild protocol was applied for the extraction of lignin from ball-milled birch. This made it possible to understand the differences in the extractability of lignin in each extraction step.

Monitoring Membrane Fouling Using Fluid Dynamic Gauging: Influence of Feed Characteristics and Operating Conditions.

Recent studies on membrane fouling have made considerable progress in reducing its adverse effects. However, a lack of comprehensive studies focusing on the underlying fouling mechanisms remains. This work aims to address a part of this gap by investigating the influence of feed suspension chemistry and operating conditions on the fouling characteristics of microcrystalline cellulose.

Synthesis of strontium oxide-zinc oxide nanocomposites by Co-precipitation method and its application for degradation of malachite green dye under direct sunlight.

Photocatalysts workable under direct sunlight are the safe and cost-effective option for water purification. The nanocomposites of strontium oxide and zinc oxide (SZ NCs) were synthesized using coprecipitation method. The respective precursors of SZ NCs were subjected to alkaline hydrolysis and subsequently thermally treated to yield SZ NCs.

Ag-lignin hybrid nanoparticles for high-performance solar absorption in photothermal antibacterial chitosan films.

There is an urgent need for antimicrobial films based on sustainable resources and production methods. In this study, we present a bio-based nanocomposite film composed of chitosan (∼60 wt %), lignin nanoparticles (LNPs, ∼40 wt %), a small amount of glutaraldehyde (1.5 wt %), and a trace level of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs, 0.