Preparation and characterization of micro/nanocellulose reinforced PVDF/wood composites

Nanotechnology in wood science: Innovations and applications

Application of nanomaterials is gaining tremendous interest in the field of wood science and technology for value addition and enhancing performance of wood and wood-based composites. This review focuses on the use of nanomaterials in improving the properties of wood and wood-based materials and protecting them from weathering, biodegradation, and other deteriorating agents. UV-resistant, self-cleaning (superhydrophobic) surfaces with anti-microbial properties have been developed using the extraordinary features of nanomaterials. Scratch-resistant nano-coatings also improve durability and aesthetic appeal of wood. Moreover, nanomaterials have been used as wood preservatives for increasing the resistance against wood deteriorating agents such as fungi, termites and borers. Wood can be made more resistant to ignition and slower to burn by introducing nano-clays or nanoparticles of metal-oxides. The use of nanocellulose and lignin nanoparticles in wood-based products has attracted huge interest in developing novel materials with improved properties. Nanocellulose and lignin nanoparticles derived/synthesized from woody biomass can enhance the mechanical properties such as strength and stiffness and impart additional functionalities to wood-based products. Cellulose nano-fibres/crystals find application in wide areas of materials science like reinforcement for composites. Incorporation of nanomaterials in resin has been used to enhance specific properties of wood-based composites. This review paper highlights some of the advancements in the use of nanotechnology in wood science, and its potential impact on the industry.

Biotechnological innovations in nanocellulose production from waste biomass with a focus on pineapple waste

New materials' synthesis and utilization have shown many critical challenges in healthcare and other industrial sectors as most of these materials are directly or indirectly developed from fossil fuel resources. Environmental regulations and sustainability concepts have promoted the use of natural compounds with unique structures and properties that can be biodegradable, biocompatible, and eco-friendly. In this context, nanocellulose (NC) utility in different sectors and industries is reported due to their unique properties including biocompatibility and antimicrobial characteristics. The bacterial nanocellulose (BNC)-based materials have been synthesized by bacterial cells and extracted from plant waste materials including pineapple plant waste biomass. These materials have been utilized in the form of nanofibers and nanocrystals. These materials are found to have excellent surface properties, low density, and good transparency, and are rich in hydroxyl groups for their modifications to other useful products. These materials are well utilized in different sectors including biomedical or health care centres, nanocomposite materials, supercapacitors, and polymer matrix production. This review explores different approaches for NC production from pineapple waste residues using biotechnological interventions, approaches for their modification, and wider applications in different sectors. Recent technological developments in NC production by enzymatic treatment are critically discussed. The utilization of pineapple waste-derived NC from a bioeconomic perspective is summarized in the paper. The chemical composition and properties of nanocellulose extracted from pineapple waste may have unique characteristics compared to other sources. Pineapple waste for nanocellulose production aligns with the principles of sustainability, waste reduction, and innovation, making it a promising and novel approach in the field of nanocellulose materials.

Obtaining Cellulose Nanocrystals from Olive Tree Pruning Waste and Evaluation of Their Influence as a Reinforcement on Biocomposites

The objective of this work is to improve the mechanical properties of polylactic acid (PLA) by incorporating cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) previously obtained from a cellulose pulp extracted from olive tree pruning (OTP) waste. Composites were manufactured by melt processing and injection moulding to evaluate the effect of the introduction of CNC with conventional manufacturing methods. This OTP-cellulose pulp was subjected to a further purification process by bleaching, thus bringing the cellulose content up to 86.1%wt. This highly purified cellulose was hydrolysed with sulfuric acid to obtain CNCs with an average length of 267 nm and a degradation temperature of 300 °C. The CNCs obtained were used in different percentages (1, 3, and 5%wt.) as reinforcement in the manufacture of PLA-based composites. The effect of incorporating CNC into PLA matrix on the mechanical, water absorption, thermal, structural, and morphological properties was studied. Maximum tensile stress and Young's modulus improved by 87 and 58%, respectively, by incorporating 3 and 5%wt. CNC. Charpy impact strength increased by 21% with 3%wt. These results were attributed to the good dispersion of CNCs in the matrix, which was corroborated by SEM images. Crystallinity index, glass transition, and melting temperatures were maintained.