Search Results (10,663)

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF)–boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) composite separators have been widely investigated; however, many demonstrations rely on BNNT pretreatment or multistep processing to secure dispersion and integration. HwBKP-derived CNF separators (HCNF), based on an enzymatically pretreated and turbulence-flow nanomill processed CNF suspension, were combined with BNNTs without pretreatment to fabricate BNNT-incorporated composite membranes (HBNT-05 and HBNT-10) via a simple stirring–filtration–drying route. The CNF suspension and membranes were characterized by fibril image analysis, SEM, AFM, FTIR, and XRD, together with wettability and surface free-energy measurements, to examine BNNT-loading-dependent changes in separator structure and surface microtexture. When evaluated in NCM811||Li half-cells, the BNNT-incorporated membranes exhibited composition-dependent electrochemical performance trends relative to the BNNT-free CNF membrane, while the commercial polyolefin reference remained favorable at the highest tested C-rate. These results suggest that the present fabrication route enables effective BNNT incorporation without BNNT pretreatment under the studied conditions, providing a practical strategy to tune biomass-derived CNF membranes for energy-storage applications. Full article

Mechanical pretreatment techniques are essential for overcoming lignocellulosic biomass recalcitrance in emerging biorefineries. This review critically synthesizes advances from 2020 to 2025 across fundamental mechanisms, hybrid technologies, energy efficiency, Life Cycle Assessment, and industrial scalability. The analysis reveals that effective pretreatment targets supramolecular modification—defect generation in cellulose crystallites and the creation of reactive sites—beyond simple particle size reduction. Impact–shear regimes prove most effective for fibrous materials. Hybrid approaches are examined: mechanocatalysis enables solvent-free depolymerization, while mechanoenzymatic technologies achieve hydrolysis without bulk water, though enzyme denaturation under mechanical stress remains unresolved. Energy consumption is the primary upscaling barrier, with Life Cycle Assessment identifying electricity use as the dominant environmental hotspot and emphasizing burden per unit of final product as the critical metric. Technology Readiness Level assessment provides a strategic framework: continuous extruders and mills are industrially mature for bulk applications, while high-intensity batch devices are suited for high-value coproducts. A research agenda prioritizing mechanistic understanding, hybrid process engineering, feedstock diversification, and embedded sustainability assessment is proposed. Full article

The prolonged low temperature in cold regions significantly inhibits the initiation of straw composting and lignocellulose degradation, thereby restricting straw resource utilization. In this study, 24 cellulose-degrading strains capable of stable growth under low-temperature conditions were screened. Based on multiple indicators, including carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) activity, strain LDT1 was identified as the best-performing isolate under low-temperature conditions and as Paenarthrobacter nitroguajacolicus. Subsequently, an efficient mutant strain, LDT1-8, was obtained through atmospheric and room-temperature plasma mutagenesis. The CMCase activity of LDT1-8 at 10 °C increased to 74.25 U/mL, representing a 21.72% increase compared to the wild-type strain. In a straw degradation system at 10 °C, LDT1-8 significantly accelerated early-stage degradation kinetics, with straw degradation rates at 3 and 6 d being 72.72% and 38.15% higher than those of the wild-type strain, respectively. Multi-enzyme profiling further indicated enhanced activities of multiple lignocellulose-degrading enzymes at low temperatures, accompanied by a partial shift in the optimal temperature of some enzymes (e.g., laccase) toward lower temperatures. Whole-genome sequencing revealed increased gene numbers related to energy, amino acid, and lipid metabolism in LDT1-8. Comparative genomic analysis suggested that mutations were mainly enriched in regulatory regions, accompanied by local structural variations. Transcriptional analyses further verified the coordinated upregulation of genes involved in cellulose and hemicellulose degradation, cold adaptation, and transcriptional and protein homeostasis processes in LDT1-8. Overall, this study provides an efficient microbial resource and a mechanistic basis for straw bioconversion in cold regions. Full article

The nanoparticles processed from non-edible crop materials and residues have evoked great use in the food and non-food industry. The diversity in agricultural waste biomass and differences in extraction techniques account for variations in end-product properties, and would require examination of waste crop types (source) to determine suitability for the production of cellulose, nanocellulose and graphene particles. This review showed that screening criteria of end-user properties include chemical composition, cellulose contents, morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability, rheology, surface charge and zeta potential. The literature shows that the end-user properties vary with plant source (that is crop type) and extraction techniques. In this review, the cellulose content and percentage crystallinity are primary parameters for selecting agricultural waste biomass for the production of nanocellulose and nanofibrils. Additionally, zeta potential and surface charge can determine polymer interaction for suitability in industrial applications. Moreover, nanocellulose and biochar were found to have various industrial applications as ingredients in the production of food packaging including active packaging, rheological modifiers and thickeners. Pyrolysis is the eminent strategy for the transformation of agricultural waste into biochar-derived nanoparticles and carbon-rich materials. Full article

We report on the isolation and comprehensive genomic and biochemical characterization of Aspergillus fumigatus VP2T, a thermophilic filamentous fungus recovered from Himalayan Forest soil with exceptional lignocellulolytic capacity. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a 32.1 Mb genome encoding 12,675 predicted genes, including an extensive repertoire of >300 carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). Notably, the genome harbors multiple auxiliary activity enzymes, including AA9-family lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases and several cellobiose dehydrogenases (CDHs), supporting oxidative–hydrolytic synergism during biomass degradation. Submerged fermentation using a cellulose–wheat bran–rice straw substrate induced high enzyme titers, including 33 U/mL endoglucanase and 131 U/mL CDH, exceeding activities commonly reported for both native and engineered fungal strains. Although exoglucanase (0.02 U/mL) and xylanase (14.22 U/mL) activities were comparatively modest, the strain VP2T demonstrated superior hydrolysis of untreated rice straw, achieving a 1.89-fold increase in saccharification efficiency relative to the commercial enzyme cocktail Cellic^® CTec2. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed extensive disruption of lignocellulosic architecture, consistent with enhanced enzyme accessibility and oxidative fiber loosening. Collectively, genomic evidence and functional assays identify A. fumigatus VP2T as a redox-optimized, moderately thermophilic biocatalyst suited for low-pH lignocellulose conversion. This study highlights the value of exploring thermophilic fungal biodiversity to discover native strains with inherent oxidative capacity, offering promising alternatives to pretreatment-intensive biorefinery processes and informing the rational development of tailored enzyme systems. Full article

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are promising for large-scale grid storage due to inherent safety, low cost, environmental compatibility, high theoretical capacity (820 mAhg⁻¹), and suitable redox potential (−0.763 V vs. SHE). However, practical deployment is hindered by coupled challenges at the zinc anode–hydrogen evolution, dendrite growth, and corrosion/passivation, which severely limit cycle life and coulombic efficiency. This review systematically summarizes key advances in AZIB research. It first elucidates working principles and four cathode energy storage mechanisms: Zn²⁺ insertion/extraction, H⁺/Zn²⁺ co-insertion, chemical conversion, and dissolution/deposition. Second, it examines four mainstream cathodes (manganese-based, vanadium-based, Prussian blue analogs, and organic compounds), analyzing performance bottlenecks and corresponding optimization via structural modification. Third, it explores functional mechanisms of advanced separators (polymer, inorganic/ceramic composite, MOF-based, and cellulose-based) in regulating uniform Zn²⁺ deposition and suppressing dendrites. Fourth, it summarizes anode optimization strategies: artificial protective layers for interface stabilization, electrolyte additives to modulate Zn²⁺ solvation/deposition, and 3D porous structures to reduce local current density and provide nucleation sites. Finally, key scientific challenges and future directions are discussed—multi-strategy synergy, in situ characterization, practical battery construction, and sustainable technological development, offering theoretical guidance for advancing AZIBs toward large-scale applications. This review aims to provide a comprehensive perspective spanning from materials to systems, and from mechanisms to applications. Its core objective is not merely to list the types of cathode materials, but to establish a logical bridge directly connecting “key challenges” to “optimization strategies,” with a particular emphasis on the issues and solutions related to the cathode side. Full article

The inherent hydrophobicity of polyolefin separators significantly impedes rapid electrolyte wetting, thereby limiting the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries. Cellulose, as a hydroxyl-rich natural polymer, serves as an ideal material for enhancing the interface properties of separators. However, there is still a lack of systematic understanding regarding how the morphological structures of cellulose (such as granular, fibrous, or network-like forms) influence the coating structure and ion transport mechanisms. Here, three representative cellulose derivatives—microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), cellulose nanofibers (CNF), and bacterial cellulose (BC)—were selected to construct functionalized polypropylene (PP) composite separators through vacuum filtration. Experimental results demonstrate that all three cellulose coatings reduced contact angles from 50.8° to below 10°, significantly enhancing interfacial affinity. Systematic comparison reveals that cellulose configuration decisively influences separator performance: unlike the dense fiber entanglement networks formed by CNF and BC, the unique rigid granular packing structure of MCC maintains hydrophilicity while establishing more permeable ion transport pathways. Among these, MCC@PP exhibited optimal electrochemical performance, with the lithium-ion migration number increasing to 0.41 and a capacity retention rate of 88.04% after 100 cycles at 0.5 A/g. This study elucidates the relationship between cellulose configuration and the modification of separator performance, demonstrating that MCC represents a more efficient, robust, and cost-effective option for separator modification compared to complex fiber networks. Full article

Developing advanced functional materials requires the synergistic integration of nanoscale reinforcements with tailored properties. In this work, composite films of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were synthesized using a combination of solution casting, high shear homogenization, vacuum filtration, and environmentally friendly chemical reduction. The resulting CNC/CNF/rGO films exhibited a robust hierarchical structure with strong interfacial interactions, enabling exceptional mechanical properties, specifically a tensile strength of 215 MPa and a Young’s modulus of 18 GPa, alongside a continuous conductive network confirmed by frequency-independent electrical conductivity up to 30 kHz. Comprehensive dielectric characterization revealed frequency-dependent permittivity and low dielectric loss, aligning with Maxwell–Wagner theoretical predictions for heterogeneous composites. The composites also demonstrated thermal stability, with electrical conductivity increasing monotonically from 0 °C to 200 °C. These findings highlighted the CNC/CNF/rGO films’ suitability for applications in flexible electronics, electromagnetic shielding, packaging, and high-performance structural materials. Future optimization and modeling approaches, including fractional calculus, are recommended to further enhance multifunctionality and exploit the unique synergistic interactions intrinsic to nanocellulose–graphene oxide platforms. Full article

Kombucha fermentation is driven by a Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY), a cellulose-rich biofilm that hosts a complex microbial consortium. While most kombucha studies focus on the liquid beverage, the SCOBY pellicle itself remains underexplored, particularly with respect to species-level microbial resolution and its intrinsic biological activities. In this study, a commercial kombucha SCOBY was characterized using full-length 16S rRNA gene and ITS amplicon sequencing based on Oxford Nanopore Technology, enabling species-level taxonomic resolution. In parallel, hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts of dried SCOBY biomass were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS assays), antidiabetic-related enzyme inhibition (α-glucosidase and dipeptidyl peptidase-4, DPP4), and anti-aging-related enzyme inhibition (tyrosinase and elastase). The SCOBY bacterial community was strongly dominated by acetic acid bacteria, with Komagataeibacter saccharivorans and Acetobacter tropicalis accounting for more than 60% of total reads, reflecting a biofilm structure optimized for cellulose production and oxidative metabolism. The yeast community showed marked unevenness, with Brettanomyces bruxellensis representing over 80% of reads, consistent with its known role in ethanol production and stress tolerance within kombucha systems. In vitro assays revealed that hydroalcoholic SCOBY extracts consistently exhibited higher biological activity than aqueous extracts across all tested assays. However, both extracts showed substantially lower potency than purified reference compounds, indicating moderate but measurable bioactivity typical of complex fermented matrices. These findings support the potential valorization of SCOBY as a fermentation-derived biomaterial and functional ingredient while underscoring the need for further chemical characterization, mechanistic studies, and biological validation beyond enzyme-based assays. Full article

Hydrogels have emerged as promising functional materials for improving water management and nutrient delivery in agriculture, particularly under conditions of increasing water scarcity and declining soil fertility. However, most commercially available superabsorbent hydrogels are based on petroleum-derived polymers, raising concerns regarding their persistence in soils, potential microplastic formation and long-term environmental impact. In response, significant research efforts are being directed toward the development of biodegradable hydrogels derived from renewable biopolymers. This review provides a critical overview of recent advances in hydrogel systems designed for agricultural applications, with a particular focus on biopolymer-based materials. First, the current landscape of hydrogel technologies used as soil conditioners and controlled-release systems for agrochemicals is contextualized, highlighting the limitations of conventional synthetic hydrogels. Subsequently, the main classes of natural polymers explored for hydrogel fabrication, including polysaccharides (e.g., chitosan, alginate, cellulose and starch) and proteins (e.g., gelatin, keratin and soy protein), are analyzed in terms of raw material sources, gelation mechanisms and structure–property relationships. Their performance in key agricultural functions, such as water retention, controlled nutrient release, soil conditioning and enhancement of plant growth, is also discussed. Finally, the review identifies major challenges that currently hinder large-scale implementation, including mechanical stability, degradation behavior in complex soil environments, nutrient release control and economic scalability. By integrating recent progress and outlining emerging research directions, this work aims to support the rational design of next-generation biodegradable hydrogels capable of contributing to sustainable agriculture and circular bioeconomy strategies. Full article

This study reports the valorization of oil palm empty fruit bunches into cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) for the removal of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) from industrial wastewater generated by the same processing sector. Cellulose I_β was first isolated through sequential bleaching, delignification, and mercerization, and two hydrolysis routes were evaluated to obtain CNCs: a concentrated acid route (60% v/v H₂SO₄, 50 °C, 60 min) for CNCs-1 and a low-acid, long-duration route (1% v/v H₂SO₄, 80 °C, 12 h) for CNCs-2. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffractograms confirmed the polymorphic transition, assigning cellulose I_β to the intermediate materials and cellulose II to the CNC samples, with crystallite sizes of 4.99 nm for CNCs-1 and 5.43 nm for CNCs-2. Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy analysis showed the progressive removal of lignin and hemicellulose and supported the cellulose I_β to II transition through changes in hydroxyl bonding and crystallinity-related bands. Preliminary adsorption tests showed better COD removal with CNCs-2, which were therefore selected for optimization using a Box–Behnken design with the adsorbent mass, pH, and contact time as variables. The quadratic model was significant (R² = 0.9675; predicted R² = 0.8908), and the maximum COD removal reached 91.47%, decreasing the COD concentration from 2459.0 to 209.85 mg L⁻¹ under the optimum conditions of 0.09 g CNCs-2, pH 3, and 20 min. These results highlight cellulose II nanocrystals derived from oil palm waste as a promising and scalable adsorbent for industrial wastewater treatment. Full article

Probiotics hold considerable promise for treating and preventing inflammatory disease; however, their application is often limited by unclear anti-inflammatory mechanisms and reduced viability following lyophilization. In this study, I thoroughly evaluated the anti-inflammatory potential of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum FS4722 (L. plantarum FS4722) and substantially enhanced strain viability through optimization of the lyoprotectant formulation. Functional assays demonstrated that the fermented supernatant, heat-inactivated bacterial suspension, and cell lysate derived from L. plantarum FS4722 effectively suppressed transcription and expression of inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. The fermented supernatant exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects, surpassing the reference probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG). Mechanistic investigations revealed that anti-inflammatory activity is primarily mediated via inhibition of the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Furthermore, using component screening combined with response surface methodology, the lyoprotectant formulation (10.00% trehalose, 1.00% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and 5.00% skim milk) was optimized, resulting in a lyophilization survival rate of 82.32% while maintaining cellular integrity; in this accelerated stability assessment, the strain retained 78.89% of its activity after 28 days of storage at 4 °C. Collectively, this study provides a robust and efficient approach for probiotic formulation while systematically elucidating the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanisms, thereby offering practical guidance for the development and clinical application of high-performance probiotic products. Full article

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in commercial demand for natural fibers. Consequently, numerous studies have concentrated on formulating innovative industrial production methodologies for natural fibers, with a particular emphasis on the environmental sustainability of production processes. Among natural fiber sources, bamboo has emerged as a leading candidate, attracting considerable interest due to its exceptional renewability, rapid growth, and low cultivation requirements. The contemporary industrial methodologies employed in the extraction of cellulose from bamboo frequently entail the utilization of concentrated solutions of strong acids and bases, often at elevated temperatures and with extended treatment durations. These processes generate highly polluting waste from mineral acids and bases, posing significant environmental challenges and ecosystem damage. In response to the prevailing concerns, there has been a marked increase in the focus on environmentally friendly techniques that combine enzymatic treatments, selective chemical reagents, and optimized mechanical processes. These processes facilitate the extraction of high-quality bamboo fibers, which are suitable for utilization in the textile industry and have the potential to replace synthetic fibers. This work demonstrates the efficacy of methodologies employing more diluted solutions than conventional approaches. Specifically, this study utilizes a weak base, such as NH₄OH, in conjunction with hydrothermal extraction. It is therefore possible for dilute weak base solutions to yield natural fibers after a relatively brief period of processing, typically just a few hours. Full article

Cellulose is a well-known biopolymer with excellent properties for a broad range of applications, including piezoelectricity for the development of nanogenerators. However, similar to other piezoelectric materials, the voltage outputs currently reported from cellulose-based piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) could be overestimated due to the appearance of triboelectric processes. To understand the appearance of both phenomena, cellulose films and aerogels that had undergone several modifications to improve their piezoelectric behavior (i.e., thermal treatment and presence of piezoelectric/conductive particles) were developed and characterized. Our results show that these modifications significantly changed the dielectric properties (ε) and the piezoelectric coefficients (d₃₃), with increments as high as a factor of 4, although without a clear tendency regarding the sample characteristics. Under finger-tapping mechanical stimulation, nanogenerators (NGs) using pure cellulose films generated 6 V, whereas the modified cellulose films and aerogels either increased or decreased this value, with outputs between 2 and 10 V. Notably, ternary composites, having both conductive and piezoelectric ZnO particles, increased the generation up to 24 V. There was no correlation between the voltage generated and d₃₃ or d₃₃/ε values, although some relationship with ε was observed, meaning that a pure piezoelectric phenomenon was not observed. This lack of correlation and the drastic decrease in the voltage generated (around 0.2 V) after changing the NG configuration show that a triboelectric phenomenon from the multilayered structure significantly contributes to the voltage generation from cellulose samples. Full article

The development of durable road sealing materials capable of maintaining performance under combined mechanical and climatic loads remains a critical challenge for modern infrastructure. Conventional bitumen-based sealants exhibit limited resistance to high-temperature deformation, cracking, and adhesion degradation, leading to reduced service life. This study proposes a rheology-oriented approach to the design of polymer-reinforced bituminous sealants based on penetration-grade bitumen 50/70 and 70/100 modified with styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) copolymers up to 9 wt.% and reinforced with cellulose fibers. The rheological behavior of the developed composites was investigated using dynamic shear rheometry to determine the complex shear modulus (G*), phase angle (δ), and temperature–frequency dependencies in the range from −20 to +90 °C, while infrared spectroscopy was employed to assess intermolecular interactions. Adhesion performance was evaluated at different temperature. The modified systems demonstrated a 5–10-fold increase in G*/sinδ enhanced high-temperature stability, and improved adhesion and crack resistance compared to base bitumen. Based on the obtained rheological and performance indicators, the developed composition was approved for subsequent pilot-scale testing and field validation as a promising road sealing material. Full article