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New Advances in Cellulose and Wood Fibers

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Fibers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 August 2025 | Viewed by 1256

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 73 Prof. Dr. Docent D. Mangeron Boulevard, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Interests: cellulose; lignin; wood chemistry; lignocellulosic chemistry; lignocellulosic materials; pulp and paper; biomass; fiber; fiber processing
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer on Earth, is undergoing a period of significant innovation driven by cutting-edge processing techniques that are unlocking its potential for the production of high-performance, sustainable materials and the development of a green economy. Key areas of remarkable progress include the development of new methods for extracting and purifying cellulose from wood pulp to produce nanocellulose, surface modification, and conversion into biofuel. Nanocellulose materials, which possess exceptional strength, flexibility, and low weight, are finding applications in demanding sectors that require such unique properties. Surface modifications tailored by scientists impart novel functionalities such as water repellency or improved adhesion in composites, thereby expanding the versatility of cellulose. Concurrently, breakthroughs in biofuel conversion now enable the more efficient transformation of cellulosic biomass into renewable energy sources, offering a promising alternative to fossil fuels. These ground-breaking advancements pave the way for next-generation materials that will revolutionize industries such as construction, where stronger and lighter cellulose-based materials provide superior alternatives to conventional options. In the field of packaging, sustainable cellulose-derived solutions are replacing non-biodegradable plastics. Functional fabrics produced from modified cellulose fibers are opening up new avenues in the textile industry, while efficient biofuel production from cellulosic sources is providing a promising renewable energy solution. As research continues to reveal the immense potential of cellulose, these innovations are heralding a greener, more sustainable future across diverse sectors.

Dr. Bogdan Marian Tofanica
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • wood fibers
  • cellulose
  • natural polymers
  • degradable polymers

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 3642 KiB  
Article
Structure of Cellulose Isolated from Rapeseed Stalks
by Bogdan-Marian Tofanica, Emanuela Callone, Elena Ungureanu, Ovidiu C. Ungureanu and Valentin I. Popa
Polymers 2025, 17(8), 1032; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17081032 - 11 Apr 2025
Viewed by 346
Abstract
Solid state Cross-Polarization/Magic-Angle-Spinning 13C CP/MAS Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra were obtained for cellulose and α-cellulose isolated from rapeseed stalks. This study provides the first characterization of the rapeseed stalk cellulose, revealing that native cellulose occurs as cellulose I allomorph, while α-cellulose [...] Read more.
Solid state Cross-Polarization/Magic-Angle-Spinning 13C CP/MAS Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra were obtained for cellulose and α-cellulose isolated from rapeseed stalks. This study provides the first characterization of the rapeseed stalk cellulose, revealing that native cellulose occurs as cellulose I allomorph, while α-cellulose exhibits distinct crystalline structures similar to those found in cellulose II. Additionally, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis (EDX) were employed to further investigate and unveil the structural properties of cellulose extracted from rapeseed stalks. These complementary techniques offered a more comprehensive understanding of the cellulose morphology, crystallinity, and chemical composition, providing valuable insights into the potential utilization of rapeseed stalks as a renewable biomass resource for various industrial applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Cellulose and Wood Fibers)
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17 pages, 11439 KiB  
Article
Low-Alpha-Cellulose-Based Membranes
by Igor Makarov, Gulbarshin Shambilova, Aigul Bukanova, Fazilat Kairliyeva, Saule Bukanova, Zhanar Kadasheva, Radmir Gainutdinov, Alexander Koksharov, Ivan Komarov, Junlong Song, Sergey Legkov and Alexandra Nebesskaya
Polymers 2025, 17(5), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17050598 - 24 Feb 2025
Viewed by 566
Abstract
Depending on the method of cellulose production, the proportion of alpha fraction in it can vary significantly. Paper pulp, unlike dissolving cellulose, has an alpha proportion of less than 90%. The presence of cellulose satellites in the system does not impede the formation [...] Read more.
Depending on the method of cellulose production, the proportion of alpha fraction in it can vary significantly. Paper pulp, unlike dissolving cellulose, has an alpha proportion of less than 90%. The presence of cellulose satellites in the system does not impede the formation of concentrated solutions of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO). In the current study, spinning solutions based on cellulose with a low alpha fraction (up to 90%) (pulp cellulose) are investigated. The morphological features and rheological behavior of such solutions are examined. It is suggested to roll the obtained solutions in order to obtain cellulose membranes. X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, AFM and SEM were used to investigate the resulting structure and morphology of the obtained membranes. It is shown that the degree of crystallinity for the membranes varies based on the impurity content in the sample. The morphology of the films is characterized by a dense texture and the absence of vacuoles. The highest strength and elastic modulus were found for membranes made of bleached hardwood sulfate cellulose, 5.7 MPa and 6.4 GPa, respectively. The maximum values of the contact angle (48°) were found for films with a higher proportion of lignin. The presence of lignin in the membranes leads to an increase in rejection for the anionic dyes Orange II and Remazol Brilliant Blue R. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Cellulose and Wood Fibers)
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