Synthesis and Characterization of Aminosilane Grafted Cellulose Nanocrystal Modified Formaldehyde-Free Decorative Paper and its CO2 Adsorption Capacity

Silylation of phosphorylated cellulosic fibers with an aminosilane

In this work, phosphorylated cellulosic fibers were functionalized with an aminosilane ((3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane, APTES) using a simple and economical method. Several characterization were performed to determine the types of bonds between phosphorylated fibers and grafted APTES. The thermal behavior, hydrophobicity and surface charge variation as a function of pH of the multifunctional cellulose fibers were determined. Results demonstrate that APTES should proceed through Si-O-C, and possibly Si-O-P, covalent bonds with cellulose although the dimerization of silane through Si-O-Si bonds has also been observed. The terminal amino groups are expected to be partially involved in hydrogen bonds with phosphate hydroxyl groups found at phosphorylated cellulose fiber surface, causing a pulling in the configuration of the grafted APTES. The two chemical modifications proposed in this work do not significantly modify the morphology of cellulose fibers. XRD analysis also shows that the crystal structure of the phosphorylated fibers did not change after functionalization with APTES. The silylated phosphorylated fibers show potential flame-retardant properties with improved hydrophobicity. Furthermore, the functionalization of phosphorylated fibers with APTES changes the pH of zero charge point from 3.2 to 9.4 and providing a zwitterionic structure suitable for the simultaneous adsorption of both cationic and anionic species.

Nanocellulose: Structure, modification, biodegradation and applications in agriculture as slow/controlled release fertilizer, superabsorbent, and crop protection: A review

This review investigates the potential of nanocellulose in agriculture, encompassing its structure, synthesis, modification, and applications. Our investigation of the characteristics of nanocellulose includes a comprehensive classification of its structure. Various mechanical, chemical and enzymatic synthesis techniques are evaluated, each offering distinct possibilities. The central role of surface functionalization is thoroughly examined. In particular, we are evaluating the conventional production of nanocellulose, thus contributing to the novelty. This review is a pioneering effort to comprehensively explore the use of nanocellulose in slow and controlled release fertilizers, revolutionizing nutrient management and improving crop productivity with reduced environmental impact. Additionally, our work uniquely integrates diverse applications of nanocellulose in agriculture, ranging from slow-release fertilizers, superabsorbent cellulose hydrogels for drought stress mitigation, and long-lasting crop protection via nanocellulose-based seed coatings. The study ends by identifying challenges and unexplored opportunities in the use of nanocellulose in agriculture. This review makes an innovative contribution by being the first comprehensive study to examine the multiple applications of nanocellulose in agriculture, including slow-release and controlled-release fertilizers.

Cellulose nanocrystals: Pretreatments, preparation strategies, and surface functionalization

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have attracted great interest from researchers from academic and industrial areas because of their interesting structural features and unique physicochemical properties, such as magnificent mechanical strength, high surface area, and many hydroxyl groups for chemical modification, low density, and biodegradability. CNCs are an outstanding contender for applications in assorted fields comprehensive of, e.g., biomedical, electronic gadgets, water purifications, nanocomposites, membranes. Additionally, a persistent progression is going on in the extraction and surface modification of cellulose nanocrystals to fulfill the expanding need of producers to fabricate cellulose nanocrystals-based materials. In this review, the foundation of nanocellulose that emerged from lignocellulosic biomass and recent development in extraction/preparation of cellulose nanocrystals and different types of cellulose nanocrystal surface modification techniques are summed up. The different sorts of cellulose modification reactions that have been discussed are acetylation, oxidations, esterifications, etherifications, ion-pair formation, hydrogen bonding, silanization, nucleophilic substitution reactions, and so forth. The mechanisms of surface functionalization reactions are also introduced and considered concerning the impact on the reactions. Moreover, the primary association of cellulose and different forms of nanocellulose has likewise been examined for beginners in this field.