Search Results (254)

This study investigates the development of high-strength biofiber cement boards with enhanced thermal insulation properties by utilizing recycled biofibers derived from cement packaging bags, combined with a water-based adhesive to enhance the curing efficiency of Portland cement through a cementation–curing process. This approach reduces waste from cement packaging and other biofiber residues through recycling, thereby promoting environmental sustainability. Moreover, it does not require the use of additional chemicals for the disposal or treatment of fiber waste, nor does it require the incineration of biofiber waste. Recycled biofiber from cement bags, composed primarily of cellulose (60 wt%), lignin (15 wt%), and hemicellulose (10 wt%), serves as a reinforcing phase, while the cement and adhesive mixture functions as a strong binding matrix. The fabrication of composite materials using undamaged cement bag fibers preserves fiber integrity and enables a well-ordered one-dimensional (1D) fiber alignment, which promotes more effective reinforcement than two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) orientations, in accordance with the rule of mixtures. In addition, the incorporation of a water-based PVAc adhesive accelerates the curing rate of the cement phase, promoting the formation of a strong interconnected network structure, and facilitates a more complete curing process. The physical, mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties of the biofiber cement boards were evaluated in accordance with relevant industrial standards, including TISI 878:2023, BS 874, ASTM C1185, ASTM D570, ASTM C518, ISO 8301, and JIS A1412. The results indicate that an optimal cement mortar to water-based adhesive ratio of 1:2, combined with an increased number of biofiber sheet layers, significantly enhances material performance, particularly in Formulas (7)–(9). Among these, Formula (9) exhibits the lowest water absorption (0.0835 ± 0.0102%), the highest tensile strength (19.489 ± 0.670 MPa), the highest flexural strength (20.867 ± 2.505 MPa), the highest Young’s modulus (5735.068 ± 387.032 MPa), and low thermal conductivity (0.152 W/m.K). The resulting boards demonstrate strong bonding ability, enhanced resistance to fire, moisture, and weathering, and a longer service life compared to lower cement-to-adhesive ratios (1:1 and 1:0). These findings demonstrate the potential of recycled biofiber composites, combined with water-based adhesives, as sustainable alternative materials for thermal insulation and structural applications, including ceilings and walls in building construction. Full article

Low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) have attracted growing attention as versatile alternatives to conventional polymeric thickeners and gelators, owing to their ability to form three-dimensional fibrillar networks through non-covalent self-assembly and to undergo reversible sol–gel transitions in response to external stimuli. Among the various stimuli that can be exploited, pH represents a particularly attractive trigger given its direct relevance to biological and physiological environments. This review focuses on three categories of pH-responsive LMWGs that have shown notable progress over the past decade yet remain relatively underexplored in the literature. First, N-oxide-type hydrogelators are discussed, with emphasis on amide amine oxide-based surfactants and pyridine-N-oxide frameworks. The pH-dependent protonation of the N-oxide moiety modulates intermolecular hydrogen bonding, thereby governing self-assembly and gel formation. The structural versatility of these gelators enables rational tuning of aggregate morphology and confers clear pH and temperature responsiveness. Second, recent advances in phenylboronic acid-based LMWGs are highlighted. Although boronic acid derivatives have long been studied as dynamic crosslinking units in polymeric hydrogels, 3-isobutoxyphenylboronic acid was recently identified as the first example of phenylboronic acid functioning as an LMWG, in which gelation is driven primarily by hydrogen bonding and pH responsiveness is exploited for stimuli-triggered gel disruption rather than gel formation. Third, pH-responsive orthogonal self-assembly systems are reviewed. Representative examples include multicomponent hybrid hydrogels combining pH-activated LMWGs with polymer gelators for controlled drug release, pH-triggered self-sorting of two LMWGs without any polymeric component, and bio-based orthogonal hydrogels composed of a glucolipid LMWG and cellulose nanocrystals. For each system, both advantages and remaining limitations are critically assessed. Collectively, this review aims to provide a timely overview of emerging trends in pH-responsive LMWG research and to offer perspectives on the rational design of next-generation stimuli-responsive soft materials. Full article

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has emerged as a structurally robust, biologically compatible, and highly adaptable biomaterial with significant potential for next-generation wound-care technologies. Its nanofibrillar, extracellular-matrix-like architecture provides exceptional moisture retention, mechanical stability, and conformability, enabling BC to function as an active scaffold rather than a traditional dressing. Advances in chemical modification, composite engineering, and bioactive functionalization, including antimicrobial metals, chitosan, biosurfactants, enzymes, and growth factors, have expanded BC’s therapeutic capabilities. Emerging smart BC dressings integrate biosensors, stimuli-responsive drug release, and 3D-printed architectures tailored to patient-specific wound geometries. Parallel developments in artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming BC production by optimizing bioprocessing, guiding genetic engineering, reducing culture media costs, and enabling real-time quality control, thereby improving scalability and industrial feasibility. These combined innovations position BC as a multifunctional, immunologically instructive, and digitally integrated platform for advanced regenerative wound care. This review reframes BC within the contemporary pathophysiology of chronic wounds, emphasizing its roles in immunomodulation, macrophage polarization, angiogenesis, mechanotransduction, and the disruption of mixed bacterial–fungal biofilms that characterize diabetic foot ulcers and other non-healing wounds. BC hydrogels typically contain >90–99% water and exhibit tensile strengths exceeding 200 MPa, enabling robust mechanical performance in wound environments. Advances in BC composites have demonstrated antimicrobial reductions of 3–5 log units against common chronic-wound pathogens. Full article

Uranium is a critical raw material for the nuclear industry. Given the vast uranium reserves in seawater, the development of efficient adsorbents is central to extraction technologies. Polyamidoxime (PAO)-based adsorbents are widely utilized due to their high affinity for uranium; however, traditional PAO materials often suffer from low mechanical strength and poor recyclability. To address these limitations, this study utilized natural balsa wood as a substrate. A three-dimensional porous cellulose skeleton (DES-W) featuring high porosity, hydrophilicity, and retained mechanical strength was constructed by partially removing lignin using a deep eutectic solvent (DES). Subsequently, polyamidoxime was loaded onto the inner walls of the DES-W via vacuum impregnation, resulting in a polyamidoxime-functionalized wood-based adsorbent (PAO-WA). The results indicated that PAO-WA achieved an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 45.31 mg/g at pH 6.0 with an initial uranium concentration of 50 mg/L, representing a twofold increase compared to the unmodified DES-W. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms followed the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models, respectively, suggesting a mechanism dominated by monolayer chemisorption. Mechanism analysis confirmed that uranyl ions were primarily captured via coordination with nitrogen and oxygen atoms in the amidoxime groups, with residual carboxyl groups in the wood contributing to the adsorption process. This work offers a novel strategy for developing efficient, environmentally friendly, and mechanically robust adsorbents for uranium extraction from seawater. Full article

Cellulose fibers offer renewable sourcing and an established recycling infrastructure for food packaging applications. Their hydroxyl groups bind water strongly, which causes dimensional instability and compromises barrier performance at elevated humidity. Chemical modification targets this limitation through controlled changes to hydroxyl reactivity, surface charge, and interfiber hydrogen bonding. This review covers four principal covalent modification routes: esterification, etherification, phosphorylation, and oxidative functionalization. The spatial localization of functional groups—surface-enriched versus bulk modification—is treated as a cross-cutting analytical parameter governing the translation of molecular chemistry into barrier performance, mechanical behavior, and recyclability. We emphasize how molecular parameters (degree of substitution (DS), charge density, and the spatial distribution of functional groups) translate into barrier properties, mechanical performance, and grease resistance under realistic service conditions. Two practical constraints define the design space. Bulk modifications that penetrate the fiber wall can release reagents or by-products into food (non-intentionally added substances, NIASs), whereas surface-confined chemistry reduces this risk substantially. Modifications that resist repulping or introduce persistent contaminants damage recyclability. Life cycle impacts often derive more from processing steps (mechanical fibrillation, solvent use, and multi-stage washing) than from feedstock selection. We focus on three deployment-relevant outcomes: performance retention above 75% relative humidity, migration risk under food contact regulations, and compatibility with industrial fiber recycling. The aim is to identify strategies that can move from laboratory demonstration to production-scale implementation. Full article

Flexible supercapacitors have attracted significant attention as promising power sources for portable and wearable electronic devices. However, achieving simultaneous high power density, energy density and long-term cyclic stability in a simple device configuration remains a critical challenge. Herein, we report an all-solid-state flexible planar supercapacitor based on hierarchically structured cellulose nanofiber-carbon nanotube@manganese dioxide (CNF-CNT@MnO₂) composite aerogels. The electrode architecture is rationally designed by first dispersing CNTs within a hydrophilic CNF scaffold to form a conductive three-dimensional network, followed by in situ oxidative polymerization of MnO₂ onto the CNF-CNT fibrous skeleton. The hydrophilic CNFs network ensures thorough electrolyte penetration, the interconnected CNTs facilitate rapid electron transport, and the uniformly coated MnO₂ layer provides substantial pseudocapacitance. The aerogel electrode with a low density of 14.6 mg cm⁻³ and a high specific surface area of 214.4 m² g⁻¹ delivers a specific capacitance of 273.0 F g⁻¹ at 0.4 A g⁻¹. The assembled planar supercapacitor, incorporating gel electrolyte and a flexible hydrogel substrate, achieves an impressive areal capacitance of 885.0 mF cm⁻² at 2 mA cm⁻², energy density of 122.9 μWh cm⁻² and corresponding power density of 1000.0 μW cm⁻². The device exhibits excellent electrochemical stability, retaining 83.3% capacitance after 2500 charge–discharge cycles, and outstanding mechanical flexibility, with 96.3% capacitance retention after 200 repeated bending cycles. Furthermore, multiple devices can be connected in series or parallel to proportionally increase output voltage or current, meeting the practical power requirements of electronic applications. This work offers a viable pathway toward high-performance, durable energy storage solutions for next-generation wearable electronics. Full article

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) caused by biofilm-forming Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis represent a major public health challenge due to their high resistance and involvement in skin, wound, and soft-tissue infections. In this context, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) incorporated into Gluconacetobacter sp. bacterial cellulose hydrogel emerge as a promising alternative therapeutic strategy. Methods: AgNPs and hydrogels were synthesized and characterized using physicochemical and morphological analyses. Antibacterial activity was assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) following CLSI guidelines, as well as by time–kill curve assays. Antibiofilm activity was evaluated through the determination of minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) using crystal violet staining, complemented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Congo red agar method. Results: The hydrogel exhibited a three-dimensional microfibrillar structure characteristic of bacterial cellulose, while AgNPs showed rod-shaped, oval, and triangular morphologies, with particle sizes of 35 and 59 nm and positive zeta potentials. MIC and MBC values ranged from 6.25 to 50 µg/mL across all tested formulations and strains. Time–kill assays demonstrated significant bacterial population reductions after 6 to 9 h of exposure. MBIC values ranged from 0.78 to 50 µg/mL, whereas MBEC values ranged from 1.56 to >100 µg/mL. SEM analyses confirmed biofilm disruption, cell eradication, and a reduction in extracellular polysaccharides, particularly for AgNPs incorporated into the hydrogel. Conclusions: Overall, the results highlight the strong antibacterial and enhanced antibiofilm potential of AgNP-loaded bacterial cellulose hydrogel against S. aureus and S. epidermidis, supporting its potential application in infection treatment. Full article

The regeneration of complex tissues demands advanced scaffolds that offer biomimetic support and tissue-specific bioactive guidance. However, the materials in clinic face big challenges with immune rejection, limited donors, and unsatisfactory inductive activity. Fortunately, cellulose-based scaffolds have risen as a leading sustainable platform, considering their natural abundance, inherent biocompatibility, and highly tunable properties. This review comprehensively presented their evolution from rational design to potential clinical application. The primary cellulose sources and key detailed engineering strategies, including chemical modification, composite formulation, and bioactive functionalization, were arranged logically. The modification of cellulose can tune the physical, chemical, and biological behavior of scaffolds, along with advanced three-dimensional printing fabrication techniques. These material advances have enabled targeted functional outcomes in preclinical models, demonstrating promise for specific applications such as wound healing and bone repair. However, their broad clinical translation is contingent upon resolving persistent challenges, including controlled biodegradation and immune compatibility, which we critically assess alongside emerging frontiers such as smart responsive systems. By bridging material innovation with clinical needs, this review may provide an integrated perspective to guide future cellulose-based scaffold design for tissue regeneration. Full article

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of peanut shell (PnS) combustion behavior using combined physicochemical characterization and non-isothermal thermogravimetric kinetics. To evaluate its potential as a sustainable solid biofuel, PnS was characterized for its proximate and ultimate composition, with its fiber structure analyzed via Van Soest methods and functional groups identified via FTIR spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed at high heating rates ($20,40,60$, and $80 \mathrm{K}{ \mathrm{m}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}}^{-1}$) to investigate combustion stages under oxidative conditions. The results established PnS as a high-potential energy source, revealing a significant volatile matter content ($65.30 \mathrm{w}\mathrm{t}\%$) and an exceptionally high heating value ($20.87 \mathrm{M}\mathrm{J} {\mathrm{k}\mathrm{g}}^{-1}$), which surpasses many standard agricultural residues. The proximate analysis also indicated a moisture content of $9.61\%$ and an ash content of $6.59\%$. TGA profiles displayed distinct decomposition stages, with the primary devolatilization occurring between 500 and 700 K. Kinetic analysis was conducted using six model-free methods: Friedman (FR), Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS), Starink (STK), Kissinger (K), and Vyazovkin (VY) and the Coats-Redfern model-fitting method. The apparent activation energy $\left({\mathrm{E}}_{\mathrm{a}}\right)$ was found to vary with conversion $\left(\mathsf{\alpha }\right)$, reflecting the complex degradation of the lignocellulosic matrix (47.86% cellulose, $28.4\%$ lignin). The activation energy values ranged from approximately $23 \mathrm{k}\mathrm{J}{ \mathrm{m}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{l}}^{-1}$ (VY method at low conversion) to $187 \mathrm{k}\mathrm{J}{ \mathrm{m}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{l}}^{-1}$ (FR method at $\mathsf{\alpha }=0.5$). Model-fitting analysis identified the three-dimensional diffusion (D3) model as the governing reaction mechanism. Thermodynamic analysis indicated positive enthalpy ($\Delta \mathrm{H}:70.7-181.8 \mathrm{k}\mathrm{J}{ \mathrm{m}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{l}}^{-1}$) and Gibbs free energy ($\Delta \mathrm{G}$: $116.2-216.7 \mathrm{k}\mathrm{J}{ \mathrm{m}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{l}}^{-1}$), with predominately negative entropy ($\Delta \mathrm{S}$), confirming the endothermic and non-spontaneous nature of the reaction activation. Full article

Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models provide physiologically relevant systems that mimic the native endometrial environment better than 2D models and offer reliable platforms to study embryo implantation and maternal–embryo interactions. One widely used 3D culture model is the generation of spheroids. However, standardized and reproducible methods for generating uniform spheroids from trophoblast and endometrial stromal cells are limited. In this study, we established and validated a robust protocol for spheroid formation using human trophoblast (HTR8/SVneo, JEG3) and endometrial stromal (St-T1b, tHESC) cell lines. The protocol was further extended to generate spheroids from decidualized tHESC, representing a novel approach that closely reflects the receptive endometrial environment. Key parameters, including cell concentration and methyl cellulose supplementation, were optimized to produce compact and homogeneous spheroids. Spheroid formation was monitored at defined intervals (0, 8, 24, 32, and 48 h), and decidualized spheroids were assessed up to 72 h. Long-term cryopreservation over 11 months demonstrated high post-thaw viability across all spheroid types, as confirmed by Calcein-AM staining. This standardized workflow provides a reliable 3D model incorporating hormonally primed stromal cells and offers a practical platform to investigate the mechanisms underlying normal and trophoblast invasion in vitro. Full article

This study investigated the effects of different types and ratios of plasticizers on the fabrication and properties of hot-melt-extruded filaments and fused deposition modeling (FDM) three-dimensional printed tablets containing theophylline (THEO). Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1500 and stearic acid (SA) were used as plasticizers to prepare THEO-loaded filaments in a hydroxypropyl cellulose matrix via hot melt extrusion (HME), which were subsequently fabricated into tablets using an FDM 3D printer. The physicochemical properties of the filaments and printed tablets were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Drug release behavior was assessed using four tablet formulations (T1–T4) with different plasticizer types and ratios. All fabricated filaments exhibited sufficient hardness and flexibility for reliable 3D printing, and solid-state analyses confirmed partial molecular dispersion of THEO within the polymer matrix. In dissolution studies, PEG-containing formulations showed faster drug release than SA-based formulations, while all 3D-printed tablets achieved approximately 80% drug release within 6 h. Overall, this study demonstrates that the combined use of HME and FDM-based 3D printing, together with rational plasticizer selection, enables the development of personalized pharmaceutical tablets with tunable immediate and sustained drug release profiles. Full article

Three-dimensional ZnO structures were prepared by both thermal atomic layer deposition (ThALD) and plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) on a sacrificial cellulose template. The synthetic approach consisted of ALD of conformal ZnO nanofilms on the fibrous cellulose template, followed by thermal removal of the polymer. The resulting calcinated samples, consisting of a scaffold of fused polycrystalline ZnO nanoparticles, showed a sevenfold and ninefold increase in photocatalytic activity against methyl orange under ultraviolet-A light, for the ThALD and PEALD samples, respectively, compared to the non-calcined samples prior to cellulose removal. In addition to the improved three-dimensional surface exposure and accessible active sites, it was suggested that the amount of hydroxyl groups on the surface and the density of nanoparticle packing in 3D ZnO structures are critical parameters for improving the photoinduced degradation of the dye. Full article

Temperature-responsive hydrogels are sophisticated stimuli-responsive biomaterials that undergo rapid, reversible sol–gel phase transitions in response to subtle thermal stimuli, most notably around physiological temperature. This inherent thermosensitivity enables non-invasive, precise spatiotemporal control of material properties and bioactive payload release, rendering them highly promising for advanced biomedical applications. This review critically surveys recent advances in the design, synthesis, and translational potential of thermo-responsive hydrogels, emphasizing nanoscale and hybrid architectures optimized for superior tunability and biological performance. Foundational systems remain dominated by poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), which exhibits a sharp lower critical solution temperature near 32 °C, alongside Pluronic/Poloxamer triblock copolymers and thermosensitive cellulose derivatives. Contemporary developments increasingly exploit biohybrid and nanocomposite strategies that incorporate natural polymers such as chitosan, gelatin, or hyaluronic acid with synthetic thermo-responsive segments, yielding materials with markedly enhanced mechanical robustness, biocompatibility, and physiologically relevant transition behavior. Cross-linking methodologies—encompassing covalent chemical approaches, dynamic physical interactions, and radiation-induced polymerization are rigorously assessed for their effects on network topology, swelling/deswelling kinetics, pore structure, and degradation characteristics. Prominent applications include on-demand drug and gene delivery, injectable in situ gelling systems, three-dimensional matrices for cell encapsulation and organoid culture, tissue engineering scaffolds, self-healing wound dressings, and responsive biosensing platforms. The integration of multi-stimuli orthogonality, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence-guided materials discovery is anticipated to deliver fully programmable, patient-specific hydrogels, establishing them as pivotal enabling technologies in precision and regenerative medicine. Full article

Climate change and the impacts related to nonbiodegradable synthetic materials highlight the need for sustainable alternatives. Biopolymers from renewable sources show great potential for producing hydrogels, which are three-dimensionally crosslinked materials with high water absorption. In this work, super-absorbent biodegradable hydrogels were produced via single-step reactive extrusion using mixtures of starch, gelatin, cellulose, and xanthan gum, with glycerol as a plasticizer, and citric acid as a crosslinking agent. Pelleted hydrogels were obtained with water absorption between 290% and 363%. Reactive extrusion promoted the formation of new ester and amide bonds, confirmed by FT-IR. Citric acid was effective as a crosslinker, and higher citric acid content (3%) produced samples with greater swelling, supported by the porous internal structure observed. Preliminary agricultural tests showed that the formulation with the highest citric acid content, when added to soil at 5%, significantly increased water-holding capacity and resulted in the highest germination rate of maize seeds. Overall, the extrusion process proved efficient, scalable, and environmentally friendly for producing biodegradable hydrogels for agricultural applications. Full article

Background: Individualized care in veterinary practice optimizes pharmaceutical dose regimens, facilitates disease prevention, and supports animal health by considering the animal’s individual profile. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a suitable technology for manufacturing both tailored drugs and supplements with enhanced efficacy and reduced adverse reactions. Zinc is used to correct deficiencies, support growth, boost the immune system, and treat specific conditions like zinc-responsive dermatosis in dogs. The purpose of the study was to develop and analyze tailored zinc-loaded filaments for the design of custom-made 3D-printed shapes. Methods: Zinc oxide (ZnO) and artificial beef flavor were incorporated into hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), respectively, to produce tailored 5% or 10% ZnO-containing filaments for 3D printing. The obtained filaments and 3D-printed forms were characterized using sieve analysis, moisture determination, melting point, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X-ray diffraction analysis. Results: The characterization of two placebo and four custom-made 3D-printed ZnO supplements suggested that HPMC is a polymer with poor processability, whereas HPC is suitable for incorporating artificial beef flavor and ZnO. FTIR analysis indicated no interaction between the components. Conclusion: The HPC and 10% flavor mixture can be applied as a matrix for manufacturing 3D-printed forms with ZnO for individualized animal care. Full article