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Advances and Applications in Cellulose-Based Polymers and Polymer Fibers

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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomacromolecules, Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2024 | Viewed by 5816

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Duanchao Wang

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
2. ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou, China
Interests: cellulose chemistry; cellulose-based polymers; cellulose-based functional materials; cellulose carbonization; low-dimensional carbon materials

Prof. Dr. Houyong Yu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

MOE Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials and Manufacturing Technology, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
Interests: cellulose nanocrystals; packaging material; cellulose-based plastics; biodegradable material; electronic skin

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cellulose is the most abundant naturally occurring polymer on the planet and is characterized by sustainability, excellent mechanical properties, chemical modification, and biocompatibility. These physical and chemical properties of cellulose provide a rich and well-coordinated platform for the fabrication of both itself and cellulose-based polymers. Therefore, research on cellulose-based polymers remains a hot topic at present. In addition to cellulose fibers, synthetic polymer fibers also play a pivotal role in the modern society by inheriting the functions and upgrading some of the properties of natural fibers. The aim of this Special Issue is to collect research results related to cellulose-based polymers and polymer fibers in order to demonstrate interesting chemical designs, structural materials, and high-performance applications. This Special Issue is planned to include both advanced applications and improved traditional applications of cellulose-based polymers and polymer fibers, regardless of the type of application. Reviews related to this topic are also welcome.

Dr. Duanchao Wang
Prof. Dr. Houyong Yu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

cellulose
cellulose polymers
cellulose-based materials
synthetic fibers

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 6305 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Facile Preparation of Cellulose Beads with Tunable Graded Pores and High Mechanical Strength

by Ranjv Meng, Lin Liu, Xiuping Su, Wenli Gong, Xiaolei Luo and Huiying Gao

Polymers 2024, 16(6), 725; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16060725 - 7 Mar 2024

Viewed by 749

Abstract

Cellulose-based hierarchical porous beads exhibit significant application potential in adsorption and separation systems due to their degradation and biocompatibility. However, the current fabrications of cellulose beads show poor mechanical properties and a difficult-to-regulate hierarchical porous structure, reducing their lifespan of use and limiting their application in fine separation. Here, we reported the facile creep–drop method to prepare cellulose beads that enabled systemic regulation of the macro-size, micropore structures, and mechanical properties by optimizing injection nozzle diameter, the composition of the coagulation bath, the temperature of the coagulation bath, and cellulose concentration. Notably, during the molding process, the H₂SO₄-Na₂SO₄ composite solidification bath endowed cellulose beads with a dense shell layer and a loose core layer, which achieved the integration of mechanical properties and high porosity. The cellulose beads exhibited high porosity (93.38–96.18%) and high sphericity (86.78–94.44%) by modulating the shell thickness of the cellulose beads. In particular, the cellulose beads exhibited excellent mechanical properties with a high compressive strength of 544.24 kPa at a 5% cellulose concentration. It is expected that these cellulose beads with tunable microstructures can realize their potential for applications in the fields of wastewater treatment, chemical engineering, bioengineering, medicine, and pharmaceuticals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Cellulose-Based Polymers and Polymer Fibers)

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12 pages, 7050 KiB

Open AccessArticle

ZIF67-ZIF8@MFC-Derived Co-Zn/NC Interconnected Frameworks Combined with Perfluorosulfonic Acid Polymer as a Highly Efficient and Stable Composite Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reactions

by Hongjie Meng, Jingnan Song and Yongming Zhang

Polymers 2024, 16(4), 505; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16040505 - 12 Feb 2024

Viewed by 900

Abstract

The development of precious metal-free (M-N-C) catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is considered crucial for reducing fuel cell costs. Herein, Co-Zn/NC interconnected frameworks with uniformly dispersed Co nanoparticles and graphitic carbon are designed and successfully synthesized through the in situ growth of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF67 and ZIF8) along with biomass nano-microfibrillar cellulose (MFC), followed by pyrolysis. A Co-Zn/NC composite is prepared by combining Co-Zn/NC with a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer. The Co-Zn/NC composite catalyst exhibits excellent ORR catalytic activity (E₀ = 0.974 V vs. RHE, E_1/2 = 0.858 V vs. RHE) and good long-term durability, with 90% current retention after 10000s, surpassing that of commercial Pt/C in alkaline media. The hierarchical porous structure, coupled with the uniform distribution of Co nanoparticles and nitrogen doping, contributes to superior electrocatalytic performance, while the interconnected frameworks and graphitic carbon ensure good stability. Additionally, the Co-Zn/NC composite demonstrates promising applications in acidic media. This strategy offers significant guidance to develop advanced non-precious metal carbon-based catalysts for highly efficient and stable ORR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Cellulose-Based Polymers and Polymer Fibers)

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Graphical abstract

11 pages, 3553 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antibacterial Nanocellulose-TiO₂/Polyester Fabric for the Recyclable Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes

by Jiacheng Tan, Hangjun Deng, Fangfang Lu, Wei Chen, Xiuping Su and Hairong Wang

Polymers 2023, 15(22), 4376; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15224376 - 10 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 926

Abstract

In this paper, we report an antibacterial, recyclable nanocellulose–titanium dioxide/polyester nonwoven fabric (NC-TiO₂/PET) composite for the highly efficient photocatalytic degradation of dyes. The NC-TiO₂ was loaded onto the surface of flexible PET nonwoven fabric through a simple swelling and dipping method. The NC-TiO₂ in the particle size range of ~10 nm were uniformly attached to the surface of the PET fibers. The NC-TiO₂/PET composite has the ability to achieve the stable photocatalytic degradation of dyes and presents antibacterial properties. The degradation rates to methylene blue (MB) and acid red (AR) of the NC-TiO₂/PET composite reached 90.02% and 91.14%, respectively, and the inhibition rate of Escherichia coli was >95%. After several rounds of cyclic testing, the photocatalytic performance, antibacterial performance, and mechanical stability of the NC-TiO₂/PET composite remained robust. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Cellulose-Based Polymers and Polymer Fibers)

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Review

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27 pages, 9278 KiB

Open AccessReview

Cellulose-Based Conductive Materials for Energy and Sensing Applications

by Duan-Chao Wang, Sheng-Nan Lei, Shenjie Zhong, Xuedong Xiao and Qing-Hui Guo

Polymers 2023, 15(20), 4159; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15204159 - 19 Oct 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2695

Abstract

Cellulose-based conductive materials (CCMs) have emerged as a promising class of materials with various applications in energy and sensing. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis methods and properties of CCMs and their applications in batteries, supercapacitors, chemical sensors, biosensors, and mechanical sensors. Derived from renewable resources, cellulose serves as a scaffold for integrating conductive additives such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, metal particles, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), carbides and nitrides of transition metals (MXene), and conductive polymers. This combination results in materials with excellent electrical conductivity while retaining the eco-friendliness and biocompatibility of cellulose. In the field of energy storage, CCMs show great potential for batteries and supercapacitors due to their high surface area, excellent mechanical strength, tunable chemistry, and high porosity. Their flexibility makes them ideal for wearable and flexible electronics, contributing to advances in portable energy storage and electronic integration into various substrates. In addition, CCMs play a key role in sensing applications. Their biocompatibility allows for the development of implantable biosensors and biodegradable environmental sensors to meet the growing demand for health and environmental monitoring. Looking to the future, this review emphasizes the need for scalable synthetic methods, improved mechanical and thermal properties, and exploration of novel cellulose sources and modifications. Continued innovation in CCMs promises to revolutionize sustainable energy storage and sensing technologies, providing environmentally friendly solutions to pressing global challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances and Applications in Cellulose-Based Polymers and Polymer Fibers)

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