Search Results (3,253)

To enhance the mechanical properties of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs), this study devised a novel three-dimensional web-like “rigid–flexible” surface modification strategy. The synergistic incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), polydopamine (PDA), and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) constructed a “three-dimensional nanospider web” modulus transition layer. The modified carbon-fiber (CF-0.1%CNT-PDA-CNF) surface exhibits a three-dimensional network structure, with significantly increased surface roughness. The surface energy increased by 128.60% compared to the desized carbon fiber, thereby improving the wettability of the carbon-fiber surface. The results of both PeakForce-Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping (PF-QNM) and EDS analyses indicate that a transition layer of a certain thickness initially formed at the interface. At the interface, the modulus exhibits a gradual gradient decrease from carbon fiber to epoxy resin, achieving more efficient stress transfer. The interfacial shear strength (IFSS, 95.71 MPa), interlaminar shear strength (ILSS, 73.19 MPa), tensile strength (701.08 MPa), and flexural strength (934.41 MPa) of the CF-0.1%CNT-PDA-CNF/EP composite material increased by 38.39%, 54.93%, 51.74%, and 64.98%, respectively, compared to the composite material made from desized carbon fiber. Through hydrogen bonding, covalent bonding, and π-π interactions, CNTs, CNFs and PDA formed a “rigid–flexible” transition layer with a modulus gradient at the CF-epoxy interface, achieving a significant enhancement in the mechanical properties of the composite material. Full article

Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) have emerged as a sustainable bio-based nanomaterial with potential applications as a filler in polymer coatings. For this reason, the present study aimed to extract CNC from commercial microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and evaluate its effect on structural, optical, moisture uptake, and acoustic attenuation properties of an automotive acrylic paint. CNC was extracted by alkaline peroxide pretreatment followed by acid hydrolysis and analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron and transmission microscopies (SEM and TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). CNCs exhibited a rod-like morphology from 100 to 356 nm and high crystallinity (63%). CLSM analyses demonstrated qualitative evidence of CNC distribution in the acrylic matrix. A relative water uptake study showed that low CNC contents slightly improved barrier properties, whereas those higher increased moisture absorption due to their hydrophilic nature. Acoustic testing indicated enhanced preliminary acoustic attenuation with increasing CNC content, evidenced by lower minimum pressure values. These results provide preliminary evidence that CNCs can serve as a bio-based filler for acrylic coating systems with potential relevance to automotive applications. Full article

Bamboo contains abundant hydrophilic components such as hemicellulose which result in poor interfacial compatibility with epoxy resin and, consequently, limit its application in bamboo–epoxy composite packaging materials. In this study, we subjected bamboo (aged 3–4 years) to vacuum heat treatment to investigate the effects of treatment temperature (140, 160, and 180 °C) and holding time (4 and 6 h) and systematically evaluated the resulting changes in density, surface color, microstructure, mechanical behavior, and thermal stability. It was found that temperature serves as the dominant factor regulating bamboo color. With the increase in the heat treatment intensity, the lightness and yellowness of bamboo decrease, and the redness rises first and then falls, while the total color difference increases continuously. The optimal flexural strength and modulus of the treated bamboo are obtained at 140 °C, while its maximum tensile strength appears at 160 °C for 4 h. However, prolonged exposure at 180 °C causes marked mechanical degradation of the treated bamboo, which is attributed to the damaged fibrous structure. As for thermal stability, heat treatment removes heat-sensitive components, thereby increasing the 5% mass loss temperature and thermal degradation activation energy. Among all conditions, the sample treated at 160 °C for 6 h exhibits the best overall thermal stability, whereas excessive treatment at 180 °C destroys cellulose microcrystals and reduces the activation energy at high conversion rates. Considering the surface appearance, mechanical performance and thermal resistance comprehensively, the heat treatment at 140–160 °C with a 4 h holding time is the optimal modification process, which can provide theoretical and data support for the pretreatment of bamboo-based eco-friendly packaging composite materials. Full article

Iron (Fe) deficiency and cadmium (Cd) contamination often co-occur in agricultural systems, yet the way in which Fe deficiency modulates Cd translocation remains unclear. Here, we investigated root cell wall modifications mediating Cd accumulation in two peanut cultivars with contrasting Fe deficiency tolerance. Fe deficiency significantly increased root Cd concentrations in both cultivars but reduced Cd translocation to shoots, an effect more pronounced in the tolerant cultivar Silihong. Cell wall analysis revealed cultivar-specific compositional changes: pectin and cellulose increased under combined Cd exposure and Fe deficiency, while hemicellulose (HC1) decreased. Negative correlations between Fe and Cd accumulation in roots, cell walls, and their components indicate competition between these two metal ions for binding sites in root cell walls. Increased pectin content under combined stress enhances Cd sequestration, while reduced HC1 content facilitates Fe mobilization to shoots. Transcriptomic analysis identified hub genes associated with cell wall modification, including pectinesterases (PME2/4/29/63), beta-galactosidases (BGAL3/5/8), polygalacturonases (PGs), pectin acetylesterases (PAE8), xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases (XTH8/31) and laccases (LAC7/11/15). Under combined stress, Silihong exhibited superior Cd immobilization, characterized by higher Cd accumulation in HC1 and cellulose fractions, stronger induction of PME, PAE8 and LAC genes, and greater suppression of XTHs, PGs, and BGALs. Our findings demonstrate that Fe deficiency restricts Cd translocation by remodeling root cell walls, increasing pectin and cellulose while modulating hemicellulose integrity, thereby creating an expanded apoplastic reservoir that traps Cd. This structural detoxification mechanism, operating downstream of uptake transporters, identifies key cell wall components and regulatory genes as potential targets for breeding peanut cultivars with improved food safety. Full article

Atmospheric microplastics have emerged as an important environmental contaminant due to their widespread occurrence, persistence, and potential ecological and human health implications. However, information regarding atmospheric microplastic deposition in southeastern Europe remains extremely limited. The present study provides a preliminary moss-based assessment of atmospheric microplastic deposition at selected locations in North Macedonia. Moss samples were collected from sites representing different degrees of anthropogenic influence and analyzed following sample preparation procedures consistent with previous national-scale surveys. Microplastic particles were identified using micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (μ-FTIR) spectroscopy. Microplastics were detected in all investigated moss samples, confirming their widespread atmospheric deposition across the country. The highest concentration was recorded at Vodno–Skopje (16.72 MP g⁻¹ dry weight), followed by Majdan (7.10 MP g⁻¹) and Bojančište (3.29 MP g⁻¹). Pronounced differences in polymer composition were observed among the sampling locations: Vodno–Skopje exhibited the greatest polymer diversity, with polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactic acid (PLA), and cellulose acetate (CA) all detected above their respective limits of detection, whereas Majdan was characterized almost exclusively by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and Bojančište primarily by cellulose acetate (CA) and PLA. The detected microplastic concentrations were within the range of values reported in some European studies, although direct comparisons should be interpreted with caution because of the differences in sampling and analytical methodologies. The findings demonstrate the potential of moss-based biomonitoring as a complementary approach for assessing atmospheric microplastic deposition. However, studies covering a larger number of sampling locations and different temporal periods are required to further evaluate and validate this approach. Full article

High-dispersion nanocomposite materials based on cerium(III) orthophosphate stabilized with different forms of cellulose (methylcellulose (MC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMCNa)) with the addition of citric acid were synthesized by chemical precipitation. Experimental samples modified with metronidazole were obtained. A comprehensive analysis of their phase composition, morphology, and physicochemical characteristics was performed using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and IR spectroscopy. According to the results of physicochemical studies all synthesized nanocomposites contained nanocrystals with a bimodal size distribution (width 3–6 nm, length 15–200 nm), depending on the matrix composition, and diffraction peaks characteristic of CePO₄. IR spectroscopy suggested a mechanism for the formation of chemical bonds: cellulose polymer chains are retained on the CePO₄ surface mainly through a branched network of weak hydrogen bonds, while the carboxylate groups of citric acid form coordination bonds with Ce³⁺. A positive effect of citric acid on limiting the linear dimensions of CePO₄ crystallites in the presence of a cellulose matrix was established. Full article

The growing demand for multifunctional textile materials has stimulated extensive research into the development of antimicrobial finishing agents capable of providing long-term protection against pathogenic microorganisms while preserving the performance characteristics of fabrics. In this study, cotton fabrics were functionalized using a nitrogen- and sulfur-containing antiseptic composition based on sulfosalicylic acid, copper acetate treated fabrics were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG) to investigate their structural, morphological, and thermal properties. The antimicrobial activity of the modified fabrics was evaluated against representative microorganisms. In addition, the influence of the antiseptic treatment on the functional properties of the cotton fabrics, including tensile strength, elongation at break, wrinkle resistance, abrasion resistance, hygroscopicity, air permeability, color fastness, and water permeability, was assessed. The results demonstrated successful incorporation of the antiseptic composition onto the fiber surface, improved thermal stability, and pronounced antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, the treated fabrics retained satisfactory mechanical and hygienic properties, indicating the suitability of the developed composition for the production of protective and hygienic textile materials. The proposed approach offers a promising route for the fabrication of multifunctional cellulose-based textiles with enhanced performance and biological protection. Full article

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) have become the dominant tools through which fashion judges whether a material is sustainable. These tools were built for materials that behave predictably: stable, standardised, manufactured to specification. But a growing class of biofabricated materials is not manufactured—it is grown. This paper argues, from the perspective of a designer–researcher who spent a year cultivating and designing with bacterial cellulose (BC), that applying these frameworks to living materials does not produce neutral measurements. It flattens a material whose environmental story is written through process, not fixed at origin. Drawing on a year of practice-led experimentation at Northumbria University, I present three moments where the material refused to behave as a single, assessable object: a glycerol conditioning concentration arrived at through iterative testing that diverged from standard protocol; cultivation variability that produced materially distinct outcomes from nominally identical processes; and a laser-cut sample that distorted in sunlight at a public exhibition, revealing how post-processing and use conditions—not composition alone—govern whether BC’s much-cited biodegradability actually holds. Read through a maker’s lens, these are not technical failures to be smoothed over—they are evidence. I argue that EIA for living materials must become contextual, process-aware, and willing to recognise the designer–practitioner, working at the material frontier, as a legitimate producer of environmental knowledge. Full article

Cadmium contamination in water poses a serious environmental and health concern due to its high toxicity and persistence. In this context, the development of efficient and low-cost adsorbent materials has attracted increasing attention. This work examines the removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solution using a cellulose acetate–clay composite membrane as an adsorbent material. To evaluate the impact of clay inclusion, membranes were fabricated with varying clay concentrations (0%, 12.5%, and 25%). A Box–Behnken design was used to optimize the process; thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used to analyze the produced composite membranes. The characterization results confirmed the successful incorporation of clay into the cellulose acetate matrix and revealed important changes in the membrane structure and surface morphology. The adsorption performance was strongly affected by operating conditions, particularly temperature, contact time, and clay content. Under the optimal conditions of 30 °C, 4 h, and 5% clay content, the CA-Clay composite membrane achieved a maximum Cd(II) removal efficiency of 93.93% and an adsorption capacity of 12.35 mg/g. These results demonstrate that the composite membrane has a high affinity toward Cd(II) ions, exhibiting its high potential as a low-cost and efficient adsorbent for the removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solution. Full article

Nanocomposite-structured sensing interfaces were developed on fibrous substrates for chemiresistive detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by integrating graphene (GE), cellulose derivatives hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and molecularly linked gold nanoparticles into composition-programmable thin films. Raman and infrared spectroscopy confirm that graphene incorporation occurs through physical integration without chemical modification of the polymer matrix, preserving cellulose integrity while enabling graphene loading to govern electrical percolation and charge-transport pathways. Systematic variation in nanocomposite composition reveals clear design rules linking interfacial polarity to VOC class sensitivity: hydrophilic GE/CMC and amphiphilic GE/HEC interfaces exhibit enhanced responses to polar and hydrogen-bonding VOCs, whereas hydrophobic gold thiolate assemblies preferentially respond to nonpolar aromatic and aliphatic VOCs. Incorporation of ligand-functionalized gold nanoparticles introduces an additional tunability dimension, modulating both VOC affinity and sensor stability through combined electronic and surface-chemical effects. Sensor arrays constructed from complementary nanocomposite interfaces achieve reliable VOC discrimination, as demonstrated by sensitivity patterns, spider-chart analysis, and principal component analysis, with effective separations retained even in reduced-sensor configurations. Across multiple nanocomposite architectures, enhanced response sensitivity is observed at low VOC concentrations, highlighting the role of interfacial adsorption dynamics and underscoring the potential of paper-based nanocomposite chemiresistive platforms for sub-ppm VOC detection. Full article

The development of hydrogel bioinks that combine structural stability with biological compatibility remains a major challenge in extrusion-based 3D printing for tissue engineering. In this proof-of-concept study, bacterial cellulose (BC) obtained from kombucha fermentation was explored as a sustainable nanofibrillar component for alginate/chondroitin sulfate (CS)/silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite (Si-HA) composite inks. Following alkaline purification, mechanical processing, and freeze-drying, BC was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD), revealing a highly entangled nanofibrillar architecture with high crystallinity (85.4%) and strong hydrogen-bonding potential. Four hydrogel formulations were developed as a comparative 2 × 2 matrix, contrasting BC-containing systems with methylcellulose (MC)-containing reference systems at two Si-HA loadings. Reduced-viscosity measurements of the uncrosslinked precursor formulations showed higher values at the lower Si-HA loading in both formulation series. All formulations could be extruded as acellular inks into grid-like constructs and retained identifiable macroporous architectures after ionic crosslinking. Swelling increased between 24 and 48 h, while mass loss remained limited after the initial 24 h incubation period. In direct-contact testing with L929 fibroblasts, cell viability remained above 84% after 48 h, meeting the ISO 10993-5 non-cytotoxicity criterion. These findings support the feasibility of incorporating physically processed kombucha-derived BC into alginate-based composite inks. Full article

Lithium-oxygen (Li-O₂) batteries are a compelling next-generation energy storage candidate owing to their ultrahigh theoretical specific energy, but their practical deployment is critically limited by sluggish cathodic oxygen reduction/evolution kinetics, severe polarization, and poor cyclability. Here, we design a composite catalyst consisting of ultrasmall iron clusters uniformly anchored on a three-dimensional nitrogen-doped carbon aerogel (Fe@NC). The material is synthesized via bidirectional freeze-drying followed by high-temperature reduction carbonization using chitosan, cellulose nanocrystals, and zinc acetate; sublimation of zinc during pyrolysis effectively suppresses iron aggregation, yielding highly dispersed Fe0 clusters of ~10 nm while preserving the aerogel’s hierarchical porous architecture rich in pyridinic and pyrrolic N species. Electrochemical tests show that Fe@NC delivers a deep-discharge specific capacity of 18,000 mAh/g, substantially outperforming pristine carbon aerogel and commercial Ketjen black, and maintains stable cycling over 280 cycles at 500 mAh/g. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses confirm that Fe@NC promotes uniform, fine-particle Li₂O₂ deposition without pore blockage and enables its complete reversible decomposition upon charging, effectively mitigating electrode passivation. This work demonstrates that the synergistic combination of carbon aerogel mass-transport benefits and iron cluster catalytic activity provides a viable, scalable route to high-performance Li-O₂ battery cathodes. Full article

Aiming at tight farming schedules, slow straw decomposition, and severe soil-borne disease risks in the practical maize straw returning production of China’s wheat–maize double cropping zones, this study developed a field-adapted in situ rapid high-temperature straw composting technology matched with a special composite microbial inoculant. Post-harvest summer maize straw collected from the field was crushed to 3–5 cm; the inoculant group T and water control CK were arranged with three biological replicates. Raw materials were adjusted to 65% moisture and loosely stacked into trapezoidal piles equipped with layered temperature–humidity sensors covered by plastic film for continuous monitoring. After formula and pile structure optimization, the pile temperature exceeded 50 °C within 8 h and stayed at 58–63 °C for 9 days, limiting the composting cycle to within 15 days. Cellulose and lignin degradation reached 56.25% and 50.39%, respectively; available P and K rose by 12.33% and 14.69%, free amino acids doubled; the C/N ratio dropped to 18:1 and the GI exceeded 130%. High temperature enriched functional flora of Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger and actinomycetes, whereas pathogenic Fusarium abundance decreased to less than 1/31 of the initial level. This technology can bring approximately 400 yuan of potential additional benefit per mu, providing an efficient and labor-saving practical candidate for straw returning in regions with a high multiple-cropping index. Full article

This study investigates the influence of controlled fiber orientation on the mechanical and microstructural properties of cellulose excelsior fiber cementitious composites with an excelsior content of 75% by volume. Two different sets of composites were fabricated. In one set, no effort was made to orient the fibers, while in the other set fibers were preferentially aligned through manual placement and compressive consolidation. The mechanical performance, including elastic modulus and flexural strength, was evaluated. The internal structure, specifically porosity and 3D fiber orientation, was quantified using X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) and subsequent 3D image analysis. The results demonstrate that the composites with aligned fibers exhibited a 20% higher bulk density and a significantly lower porosity (5.1%) compared to the non-aligned composites (9.0%), representing a 43% reduction in void volume. Further image analysis showed distinct differences in fiber orientation relative to the axis of the specimen. These different distributions led to a 120% increase in elastic modulus and a 58% increase in flexural strength. These results demonstrate how, within limits, the mechanical properties of the composite system can be controlled to meet application demands. Full article

To address the challenge of balancing flame retardancy and dust suppression in conventional coal mine treatment materials, a multi-component synergistic flame-retardant dust-suppressant gel was fabricated using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as the matrix, compounded with ammonium polyphosphate (APP), zinc borate (ZB), and polycarbodiimide (PCDI) as a cross-linking agent. The optimal formulation was determined via orthogonal experimental design combined with performance characterization, yielding a composition of 1 wt% CMC, 8 wt% APP, 2 wt% ZB, and 0.5 wt% PCDI. Systematic evaluations—including wettability tests, thermogravimetric analysis, and fire-extinguishing trials—demonstrated that the resultant CMC-based composite gel exhibits excellent structural stability and environmental tolerance. Specifically, the contact angle on the coal surface decreased sharply from 72.8° to 17.2°, and the mass loss rate after 30 min of wind erosion was merely 4.16%. Treatment with the gel elevated the critical temperature of the coal–oxygen reaction from 70 °C to 80 °C and reduced CO emissions by 40% at 170 °C. Furthermore, the temperatures corresponding to the maximum weight loss rate, ignition, and burnout increased by 12.9 °C, 16.8 °C, and 28.9 °C, respectively. Fire suppression tests revealed that the gel rapidly cools high-temperature coal seams and effectively prevents reignition. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the CMC-PCDI cross-linked network synergizes with the APP-ZB phosphorus–boron flame-retardant system: the three-dimensional gel architecture provides physical encapsulation and water retention, while the intumescent char layer formed by APP-ZB offers efficient oxygen barrier protection. This study provides a reliable gel-based technical solution for the integrated prevention and control of coal dust pollution and spontaneous combustion disasters in underground mines. Full article