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23 pages, 13298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards Sustainable Packaging Using Microbial Cellulose and Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Bagasse

by Cláudio José Galdino da Silva Junior, Alexandre D’Lamare Maia de Medeiros, Anantcha Karla Lafaiete de Holanda Cavalcanti, Julia Didier Pedrosa de Amorim, Italo José Batista Durval, Yasmim de Farias Cavalcanti, Attilio Converti, Andréa Fernanda de Santana Costa and Leonie Asfora Sarubbo

Materials 2024, 17(15), 3732; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17153732 - 27 Jul 2024

Viewed by 812

Abstract

The high consumption of packaging has led to a massive production of waste, especially in the form of nonbiodegradable polymers that are difficult to recycle. Microbial cellulose is considered a biodegradable, low-cost, useful, ecologically correct polymer that may be joined with other biomaterials [...] Read more.

The high consumption of packaging has led to a massive production of waste, especially in the form of nonbiodegradable polymers that are difficult to recycle. Microbial cellulose is considered a biodegradable, low-cost, useful, ecologically correct polymer that may be joined with other biomaterials to obtain novel characteristics and can, therefore, be used as a raw material to produce packaging. Bagasse, a waste rich in plant cellulose, can be reprocessed and used to produce and reinforce other materials. Based on these concepts, the aim of the current research was to design sustainable packaging material composed of bacterial cellulose (BC) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB), employing an innovative shredding and reconstitution method able to avoid biomass waste. This method enabled creating a uniform structure with a 0.10-cm constant thickness, classified as having high grammage. The developed materials, particularly the 0.7 BC/0.3 SCB [70% (w/w) BC plus 30% (w/w) SCB] composite, had considerable tensile strength (up to 46.22 MPa), which was nearly thrice that of SCB alone (17.43 MPa). Additionally, the sorption index of the 0.7 BC/0.3 SCB composite (235.85 ± 31.29 s) was approximately 300-times higher than that of SCB (0.78 ± 0.09 s). The packaging material was also submitted to other analytical tests to determine its physical and chemical characteristics, which indicated that it has excellent flexibility and can be folded 100 times without tearing. Its surface was explored via scanning electron microscopy, which revealed the presence of fibers measuring 83.18 nm in diameter (BC). Greater adherence after the reconstitution process and even a uniform distribution of SCB fibers in the BC matrix were observed, resulting in greater tear resistance than SCB in its pure form. The results demonstrated that the composite formed by BC and SCB is promising as a raw material for sustainable packaging, due to its resistance and uniformity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Cellulosic Materials)

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10 pages, 1324 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fire Properties of Paper Sheets Made of Cellulose Fibers Treated with Various Retardants

by Zuzanna Szubert, Bartłomiej Mazela, Karolina Tomkowiak and Wojciech Grześkowiak

Materials 2024, 17(13), 3074; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133074 - 22 Jun 2024

Viewed by 408

Abstract

This article presents the results of flame-retardancy tests conducted on cellulose sheets produced using a Rapid Köthen apparatus treated with retardants. The agents used were potassium carbonate (PC) K₂CO₃ (concentrations of 20; 33.3; and 50% wt/wt), monoammonium phosphate (MAP) NH [...] Read more.

This article presents the results of flame-retardancy tests conducted on cellulose sheets produced using a Rapid Köthen apparatus treated with retardants. The agents used were potassium carbonate (PC) K₂CO₃ (concentrations of 20; 33.3; and 50% wt/wt), monoammonium phosphate (MAP) NH₄H₂PO₄ (concentrations of 35% wt/wt), diammonium phosphate (DAP) (NH₄)₂HPO₄ (concentrations of 42.9% wt/wt), and bisguanidal phosphate (FOS) C₂H₁₀N₆ (concentrations of 22.5% wt/wt). The agents were used to improve Kraft cellulose-based sheets’ flame-retardant properties and compare their performances. As part of the study, the flammability of the materials was determined by the following methods: an oxygen index (OI) test, a mass loss calorimeter (MLC) test, and a mini fire tube (MFT) test. All formulations showed an increase in flame retardancy compared to the control test. All protected samples were non-flammable for OI determinations, and DAP-protected samples showed the highest OI index. For the MLC test, DAP-protected and MAP-protected samples showed the best heat-release rate (HRR), total heat release (THR), and average heat-release rate (ARHE) (samples did not ignite for 600 s). In the MFT test, all treated samples had comparably reduced weight loss. The best parameter was achieved for MAP and DAP (15% weight loss). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Cellulosic Materials)

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18 pages, 3599 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing the Mechanical Properties of Cement Composite Boards Reinforced with Cellulose Pulp and Bamboo Fibers for Building Applications in Low-Cost Housing Estates

by Anuoluwapo S. Taiwo, David S. Ayre, Morteza Khorami and Sameer S. Rahatekar

Materials 2024, 17(3), 646; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17030646 - 29 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1233

Abstract

Africa is the third-richest continent in the world in terms of bamboo species. Despite these laudable natural resources, most African countries still use asbestos cement board as one of their major building materials. This is chiefly due to the high cost of equipment [...] Read more.

Africa is the third-richest continent in the world in terms of bamboo species. Despite these laudable natural resources, most African countries still use asbestos cement board as one of their major building materials. This is chiefly due to the high cost of equipment and technologies associated with non-asbestos-fiber cement board production. The current research seeks to underscore the possibility of utilizing these massive continent resources for non-asbestos-fiber cement board production by employing the existing production process in the asbestos cement industries via an innovatively developed laboratory-simulated Hatschek process. Non-asbestos-fiber cement boards incorporating kraft and bamboo fibers were successfully produced in the laboratory using this innovative method based on Hatschek technology, with natural fibre addition in the range of 2–6 wt.%. Experimental results revealed that the Flexural strength and deflection of the board improved significantly, producing optimum values of 10.41 MPa and 2.0 mm, respectively for composite board reinforced with 10 wt.% and 6 wt.% of kraft pulp and bamboo fibers, respectively. The SEM morphology of the fractured surfaces revealed the mode of composite fracture as well as good interaction at the fiber–matrix interface. Overall, the mechanical properties of the developed composite boards satisfy the minimum requirements of relevant standards based on fiber cement flat sheets and can be employed for internal building applications in low-cost housing estates in developing countries. The outcome of this research indicates that the current industrial production process based on Hatschek technology can be employed for non-asbestos-fiber cement board production using the studied natural fiber. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Cellulosic Materials)

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11 pages, 2367 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Polymer-Embedded Tetrabutylammonium Bromide (TBAB) Membranes for the Selective Extraction of Metal Ions from Aqueous Solutions

by Beata Pospiech

Materials 2023, 16(16), 5721; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16165721 - 21 Aug 2023

Viewed by 986

Abstract

The selective extraction of metals from aqueous solutions is a very important stage in the hydrometallurgical processing of metallic waste. Leach solutions are usually a multicomponent mixture. The main impurity of aqueous solutions obtained after leaching using inorganic acids is iron. In this [...] Read more.

The selective extraction of metals from aqueous solutions is a very important stage in the hydrometallurgical processing of metallic waste. Leach solutions are usually a multicomponent mixture. The main impurity of aqueous solutions obtained after leaching using inorganic acids is iron. In this work, the membrane separation of iron(III) from nickel(II), cobalt(II), and lithium(I) was studied. The facilitated transport of metal ions using polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) with tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) as an ion carrier under various conditions was analyzed in detail. Several factors, such as the ion carrier concentration in the membrane as well as the effect of the inorganic acid concentration in the source/receiving phases on the kinetic parameters, were investigated. The results show that ionic liquid TBAB is a very selective ion carrier of Fe(III) towards Ni(II), Co(II), and Li(I). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Cellulosic Materials)

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Review

Jump to: Research

33 pages, 11844 KiB

Open AccessReview

Electrospun Nanofiber Membranes with Various Structures for Wound Dressing

by Jiahao Yang and Lan Xu

Materials 2023, 16(17), 6021; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16176021 - 1 Sep 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3100

Abstract

Electrospun nanofiber membranes (NFMs) have high porosity and a large specific surface area, which provide a suitable environment for the complex and dynamic wound healing process and a large number of sites for carrying wound healing factors. Further, the design of the nanofiber [...] Read more.

Electrospun nanofiber membranes (NFMs) have high porosity and a large specific surface area, which provide a suitable environment for the complex and dynamic wound healing process and a large number of sites for carrying wound healing factors. Further, the design of the nanofiber structure can imitate the structure of the human dermis, similar to the natural extracellular matrix, which better promotes the hemostasis, anti-inflammatory and healing of wounds. Therefore, it has been widely studied in the field of wound dressing. This review article overviews the development of electrospinning technology and the application of electrospun nanofibers in wound dressings. It begins with an introduction to the history, working principles, and transformation of electrospinning, with a focus on the selection of electrospun nanofiber materials, incorporation of functional therapeutic factors, and structural design of nanofibers and nanofiber membranes. Moreover, the wide application of electrospun NFMs containing therapeutic factors in wound healing is classified based on their special functions, such as hemostasis, antibacterial and cell proliferation promotion. This article also highlights the structural design of electrospun nanofibers in wound dressing, including porous structures, bead structures, core-shell structures, ordered structures, and multilayer nanofiber membrane structures. Finally, their advantages and limitations are discussed, and the challenges faced in their application for wound dressings are analyzed to promote further research in this field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Cellulosic Materials)

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31 pages, 7958 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Electrospun Nanofibers for Functional Food Packaging Application

by Meng Zhang, Adnan Ahmed and Lan Xu

Materials 2023, 16(17), 5937; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16175937 - 30 Aug 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3297

Abstract

With the strengthening of the public awareness of food safety and environmental protection, functional food packaging materials have received widespread attention. Nanofibers are considered as promising packaging materials due to their unique one-dimensional structure (high aspect ratio, large specific surface area) and functional [...] Read more.

With the strengthening of the public awareness of food safety and environmental protection, functional food packaging materials have received widespread attention. Nanofibers are considered as promising packaging materials due to their unique one-dimensional structure (high aspect ratio, large specific surface area) and functional advantages. Electrospinning, as a commonly used simple and efficient method for preparing nanofibers, can obtain nanofibers with different structures such as aligned, core-shell, and porous structures by modifying the devices and adjusting the process parameters. The selection of raw materials and structural design of nanofibers can endow food packaging with different functions, including antimicrobial activity, antioxidation, ultraviolet protection, and response to pH. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the application of electrospun nanofibers in functional food packaging. Advances in electrospinning technology and electrospun materials used for food packaging are introduced. Moreover, the progress and development prospects of electrospun nanofibers in functional food packaging are highlighted. Meanwhile, the application of functional packaging based on nanofibers in different foods is discussed in detail. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Cellulosic Materials)

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23 pages, 4768 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review of Waterproof Breathable Membranes: Preparation, Performance and Applications in the Textile Field

by Yawen Chang and Fujuan Liu

Materials 2023, 16(15), 5339; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16155339 - 29 Jul 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2683

Abstract

Waterproof breathable membranes (WBMs) characterized by a specific internal structure, allowing air and water vapor to be transferred from one side to the other while preventing liquid water penetration, have attracted much attention from researchers. WBMs combine lamination and other technologies with textile [...] Read more.

Waterproof breathable membranes (WBMs) characterized by a specific internal structure, allowing air and water vapor to be transferred from one side to the other while preventing liquid water penetration, have attracted much attention from researchers. WBMs combine lamination and other technologies with textile materials to form waterproof breathable fabrics, which play a key role in outdoor sports clothing, medical clothing, military clothing, etc. Herein, a systematic overview of the recent progress of WBMs is provided, including the principles of waterproofness and breathability, common preparation methods and the applications of WBMs. Discussion starts with the waterproof and breathable mechanisms of two different membranes: hydrophilic non-porous membranes and hydrophobic microporous membranes. Then evaluation criteria and common preparation methods for WBMs are presented. In addition, treatment processes that promote water vapor transmission and prominent applications in the textile field are comprehensively analyzed. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives of WBMs are also explored. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Cellulosic Materials)

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38 pages, 9986 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Advances in Cellulose-Based Composites for Energy Applications

by Choon Peng Teng, Ming Yan Tan, Jessica Pei Wen Toh, Qi Feng Lim, Xiaobai Wang, Daniel Ponsford, Esther Marie JieRong Lin, Warintorn Thitsartarn and Si Yin Tee

Materials 2023, 16(10), 3856; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16103856 - 20 May 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4950

Abstract

The various forms of cellulose-based materials possess high mechanical and thermal stabilities, as well as three-dimensional open network structures with high aspect ratios capable of incorporating other materials to produce composites for a wide range of applications. Being the most prevalent natural biopolymer [...] Read more.

The various forms of cellulose-based materials possess high mechanical and thermal stabilities, as well as three-dimensional open network structures with high aspect ratios capable of incorporating other materials to produce composites for a wide range of applications. Being the most prevalent natural biopolymer on the Earth, cellulose has been used as a renewable replacement for many plastic and metal substrates, in order to diminish pollutant residues in the environment. As a result, the design and development of green technological applications of cellulose and its derivatives has become a key principle of ecological sustainability. Recently, cellulose-based mesoporous structures, flexible thin films, fibers, and three-dimensional networks have been developed for use as substrates in which conductive materials can be loaded for a wide range of energy conversion and energy conservation applications. The present article provides an overview of the recent advancements in the preparation of cellulose-based composites synthesized by combining metal/semiconductor nanoparticles, organic polymers, and metal-organic frameworks with cellulose. To begin, a brief review of cellulosic materials is given, with emphasis on their properties and processing methods. Further sections focus on the integration of cellulose-based flexible substrates or three-dimensional structures into energy conversion devices, such as photovoltaic solar cells, triboelectric generators, piezoelectric generators, thermoelectric generators, as well as sensors. The review also highlights the uses of cellulose-based composites in the separators, electrolytes, binders, and electrodes of energy conservation devices such as lithium-ion batteries. Moreover, the use of cellulose-based electrodes in water splitting for hydrogen generation is discussed. In the final section, we propose the underlying challenges and outlook for the field of cellulose-based composite materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Cellulosic Materials)

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