Nanocellulose-based tannin-immobilized biosorbent for efficient copper ion removal

Tannins, which are water-soluble polyhydroxyphenols found in plant structures, offer a sustainable alternative to inorganic products for treating effluents. To overcome their solubility in water, new methods have been developed to immobilize tannin on materials such as nanocellulose, resulting in tannin-based adsorbents. This study investigates the production of different types of tannin-based adsorbents immobilized on nanocellulose nanofibrils using glutaraldehyde as a crosslinking agent. The adsorbents were characterized for their morphology, chemical composition, tannin leaching, thermal stability, and copper adsorption capacity. The main results showed that tannin leaching from the adsorbents in water was greatly reduced with glutaraldehyde. Scanning electron microscopy images showed tannin coating on the surface of nanocellulose nanofibrils due to immobilization. The lyophilized adsorbent was effective in adsorbing Cu (II) within 1 min, with the adsorbed amount increasing gradually until stabilization after 45 min. Overall, this study suggests that tannin immobilized on nanofibrillated cellulose has the potential to offer a sustainable and renewable alternative for effluent treatment.

Feasibility of ramie fibers as raw material for the isolation of nanofibrillated cellulose

In this study, a strategy was adopted to enhance the use of ramie fibers as raw material for isolation of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs). Ramie pulp was produced by alkaline organosolv followed by bleaching. CNFs were produced by mechanical defibrillation, and films were fabricated via casting. Effects of number of passes in the mechanical grinding on physical and mechanical properties of CNF films were comprehensively studied. Potential of ramie fibers was proved by fabricating homogeneous nanofibers with average thickness of 8.72 nm, which led to CNF films with dense and non-porous networks, and crystallinity index of 76-78%. Tensile strength (42-82 MPa) and dynamic mechanical (9-11 GPa) performance were good only for less severe mechanical defibrillation. Lower solubility (1.85-2.43%). and activity (0.69) in water, and outstanding barrier properties against water vapor and oxygen make ramie suitable for more sustainable extraction of cellulose nanofibers and production of CNF films for diverse applications.

Enhancing the water repellency of wood surfaces by atmospheric pressure cold plasma deposition of fluorocarbon film

This study explores the fluorocarbon deposition on wood by atmospheric pressure plasma, with the focus on higher water repellency.

Compósitos polímero-madeira preparados por polimerização in situ de metil metacrilato usando aditivos bifuncionais

Resumo O presente trabalho teve por objetivo a confecção de compósitos polímero-madeira por meio de polimerização in situ de metil metacrilato (MMA), utilizando ácido metacrílico (MAA) e glicidil metacrilato (GMA) como agentes de ligação e reticulação. Amostras de madeira de guapuruvu foram impregnadas em um sistema de vácuo e pressão e polimerizadas em estufa a 90°C por 10h, usando 1,5% de peroxido de benzoíla como catalisador. Os compósitos foram caracterizados por meio de testes de absorção de água e estabilidade dimensional, molhabilidade, ATR-IR, TGA, MEV e WPG. Os espectros de ATR-IR mostraram incrementos nas bandas a 1746, 1460, e 1145 cm–1, referentes as estruturas químicas dos polímeros dentro da madeira, confirmado posteriormente pelas imagens de MEV. A termogravimetria apontou reações químicas entre os copolímeros e a parede celular da madeira nos compósitos com GMA e MAA. Os compósitos preparados com MMA apresentaram incrementos acima de 50% nas propriedades higroscópicas e de estabilidade dimensional, entretanto a adição de GMA e MAA resultou em maiores incrementos nas mesmas propriedades, entre 66-90%.