Nanoarchitectonics for High Adsorption Capacity Carboxymethyl Cellulose Nanofibrils-Based Adsorbents for Efficient Cu2+ Removal

In the present study, carboxymethyl cellulose nanofibrils (CMCNFs) with different carboxyl content (0.99–2.01 mmol/g) were prepared via controlling the ratio of monochloroacetic acid (MCA) and sodium hydroxide to Eucalyptus bleached pulp (EBP). CMCFs-PEI aerogels were obtained using the crosslinking reaction of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and CMCNFs with the aid of glutaraldehyde (GA). The effects of pH, contact time, temperature, and initial Cu2+ concentration on the Cu2+ removal performance of CMCNFs-PEI aerogels was highlighted. Experimental data showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of CMCNF30-PEI for Cu2+ was 380.03 ± 23 mg/g, and the adsorption results were consistent with Langmuir isotherm (R2 > 0.99). The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity was 616.48 mg/g. After being treated with 0.05 M EDTA solution, the aerogel retained an 85% removal performance after three adsorption–desorption cycles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results demonstrated that complexation was the main Cu2+ adsorption mechanism. The excellent Cu2+ adsorption capacity of CMCNFs-PEI aerogels provided another avenue for the utilization of cellulose nanofibrils in the wastewater treatment field.

Enhanced Performance of PVDF Composite Ultrafiltration Membrane via Degradation of Collagen-Modified Graphene Oxide

The collagen obtained from chrome leather waste can be used to modify graphene oxide (GO) to prepare polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite ultrafiltration membranes, a process that is conducive to the recovery of leather waste, comprehensive utilization of GO and improved performance of the membrane. In this paper, collagen-modified GO (CGO) was prepared by degradation of collagen from chrome leather waste and used to prepare a PVDF composite ultrafiltration membrane. The results show that the carboxyl content of CGO and dispersion were improved. The water flux and flux recovery rate of the modified ultrafiltration membrane were improved. The bovine serum albumin (BSA) intercepted on the membrane surface was easy to clean and the antifouling performance improved. The performance of the membrane decreased when the GO content exceeded 0.75 wt%, while CGO can reach 1.0 wt% without agglomeration due to its good dispersion.

The Effect of Raw Materials on the Properties of Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibers from Bacterial Cellulose

In the present study, nanofibers of oxidized cellulose (OC) were prepared from dried bacterial cellulose using a mixture of nitric acid/phosphoric acid and sodium nitrite. Three types of dried bacterial cellulose were used as raw materials. The results revealed that dried sheet bacterial cellulose (DSBC) yielded 86.8% oxidized cellulose with 19.4% carboxyl content, whereas squeeze-dried bacterial cellulose (SDBC) yielded 53.3% OC with 28.6% carboxyl content, and freeze-dried bacterial cellulose (FDBC) yielded 55.6% of OC with 27.6% carboxyl content. The results revealed that OC neutralized with sodium hydroxide from SDBC showed the best swelling property among all types of OC. SDBC indicated the reduction of CFU exceeds 99.99% for gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538.

Effect Of Liquid Rubbers On The Thermal And Adhesion Properties Of The Tire Skim Compound

Polymeric textile cords, steel cords and steel cables are mainly reinforcing materials that are used in tire production. Polymeric textile cords such as Polyester (PEs), Nylon, Aramid and Rayon are commonly treated with bi-functional resorcinol formaldehyde latex (RFL) to obtain desired adhesion to rubber matrix. PEs cords are known as their poor adhesion to both RFL and rubber compounds due to limited reactivity on the surface and poor reaction extent between methylol and hydroxyl groups of RFL. Increasing carboxyl content on PEs surface or in the rubber compound is one of the best strategies to overcome this adhesion problem. Liquid rubbers, which can co-vulcanize with solid rubbers, are also strong alternatives of process oils with their excellent plasticizing effect without deterioration in mechanical properties of the resulting material. Co-vulcanization also improves the stability of this additive and prevents possible bleeding and migration during service life of the tire. In this study, carboxylated grafted liquid isoprene rubber has been incorporated to rubber compound to improve adhesion in PEs-RFL-Rubber ternary system. Rheological and dynamic-mechanical properties of reactive liquid rubber containing tire rubber compounds have been evaluated extensively, as well as H-adhesion behaviour of PEs cord-rubber composite matrix.

Potentiometric back titration as a robust and simple method for specific surface area estimation of lignocellulosic fibers

The specific surface area (SSA) of cellulosic or lignocellulosic fibers is seldom reported in the recent literature on papermaking, despite its close relation with the degree of refining and other key pulp properties. Amidst outdated assays (Pulmac permeability test) and methods that, while accurate, are of doubtful usefulness for papermaking purposes (N2 adsorption–desorption), we suggest a methodology based on the cationic demand. A commonly used cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC), became adsorbed onto thermomechanical pulp samples. Then, a potentiometric back titration with an anionic polyelectrolyte measured the cationic demand, expressed as microequivalents of PDADMAC per gram of pulp. Multiplying this value by the surface area of a microequivalent of polymer, considering rod-like conformation in the case of minimum ionic strength, yielded the SSA of the lignocellulosic pulp. Our system assumes that the quaternary ammonium groups were anchored through electrostatic and ion–dipole interactions. Measuring the carboxyl content allowed for discriminating between both kinds of forces. Finally, the model could be validated by plotting the estimated SSA values against the Schopper-Riegler degree, attaining high correlation coefficients (R2 ~ 0.98). Owing to the high molecular weight of the polyelectrolyte of choice (107 kDa), and more particularly in the case of fine-free pulps, SSA values estimated from the cationic demand were consistently lower than those from dye (Congo red) sorption. Instead of being a drawback, the limited diffusion of PDADMAC through fibers can enable papermakers to attain a more helpful quantification of the available surfaces in operations with low residence times.

Recoverable Water-soluble Polyethylene Glycol-immobilized N-hydroxyphthalimide Mediated Oxidation of Cellulose in the Presence of NaBr and NaClO

As a highly efficient nitroxide radical catalyst for selective catalytic oxidation of cellulose, N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) has attracted much attention because of its low price and light cellulose degradation. However, NHPI is insoluble in water and is difficult to recycle because of its small molecular weight. To address the above issues, the water-soluble polyethylene glycol (PEG)-immobilized NHPI catalyst (PEG-NHPI) was designed and prepared in this work. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and UV-vis light spectroscopy were used to characterize PEG-NHPI. The results showed that PEG-NHPI catalysts with good water solubility and adjustable NHPI loading amounts were successfully synthesized. Using NaBr as promoter and NaClO as oxidant, PEG-NHPI mediated oxidation of cellulose was carried out and good catalytic performance was found. The catalytic performance of PEG-NHPI mediated oxidation of cellulose in water was higher than that in acetonitrile-water. The carboxyl content of PEG-NHPI oxidized cellulose could reach the level of free NHPI oxidized cellulose, and was equivalent to 68% of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) oxidized cellulose, while the degradation degree of cellulose was greatly reduced by more than 40%. The catalytic performance did not decrease significantly after six oxidation cycles. The structure of recycled PEG-NHPI was not changed. These results indicated that immobilizing NHPI onto PEG can achieve the unification of high catalytic performance and good recyclability.

Study on the Uptake of Aqueous Zinc Ion Onto a Novel Organic Acid Modified Biosorbent

Alhagi Graecorum (AG) is an invasive plant with a massive/robust root structure that can grow up to 12 feet into the ground. The present study exploited the rich cellulosic content in this ‘AG’ root for the synthesis of a novel biosorbent (‘MA’). This low-cost biosorbent, with high carboxyl content of 447.22 (m. eq /100 g sample) was utilised for aqueous zinc ion sequestration. The surface functional groups and textural characteristics required for an efficient heavy metal binding was identified on ‘MA’ using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sip isotherm emerged as the model of best fit for equilibrium studies, hence, Zn (II) ion sorption onto ‘MA’ is believed to occur via a hybrid blend of homogenous monolayer and heterogeneous multilayer adsorption. Meanwhile, the Elovich (SNE = 1.0429), intraparticle diffusion (SNE = 1.0205) and pseudo-first-order (SNE = 1.0455) provided the best fitting for 200, 400 and 600 mg/L adsorption system, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of 188.67 mg/g was recorded at optimum adsorption conditions, with the predominance of the electrostatic and electron-donor-acceptor interaction mechanism. The abundant surface oxygenous functional groups on ‘MA’ positively influenced its adsorption capacity; thus, making it a promising biosorbent for aqueous Zn (II) uptake.

Physicochemical Properties of Sago Ozone Oxidation: The Effect of Reaction Time, Acidity, and Concentration of Starch

The disadvantageous properties of sago starch has limited its application in food and industrial processes. The properties of sago starch can be improved by changing its physicochemical and rheological characteristics. This study examined the influence of reaction time, acidity, and starch concentration on the oxidation of sago starch with ozone, a strong oxidant. Swelling, solubility, carbonyl, carboxyl, granule morphology, thermal profile, and functional groups are comprehensively observed parameters. With starch concentrations of 10–30% (v/w) and more prolonged oxidation, sago starch was most soluble at pH 10. The swelling power decreased with a longer reaction time, reaching the lowest pH 10. In contrast, the carbonyl and carboxyl content exhibited the same pattern as solubility. A more alkaline environment tended to create modified starch with more favorable properties. Over time, oxidation shows more significant characteristics, indicating a superb product of this reaction. At the starch concentration of 20%, modified sago starch with the most favorable properties was created. When compared to modified starch, native starch is generally shaped in a more oval and irregular manner. Additionally, native starch and modified starch had similar spectral patterns and identical X-ray diffraction patterns. Meanwhile, oxidized starch had different gelatinization and retrogradation temperatures to those of the native starch.

Oxidized Maltodextrin: A Novel Ligand for Aluminum–Zirconium Complex Tanning

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) oxidized maltodextrin was prepared as the ligand for aluminum–zirconium complex tanning. The effects of catalyst dosage, initiation temperature, and H2O2 dosage on maltodextrin oxidation were investigated. FT-IR analysis demonstrated that carboxyl groups were successfully introduced into oxidized maltodextrin. The carboxyl content and degradation degree of oxidized maltodextrin increased with the increase of H2O2 dosage. Maltodextrin oxidized by 40% H2O2 and 0.015% Cu–Fe catalyst at an initiation temperature of 70°C (OD-40) with moderate carboxyl group (6.75 mmol/g) and molecular weight (Mw 450) promoted the penetration and fixation of aluminum–zirconium salts in leather and showed better tanning performance, such as hydrothermal stability and porosity of leather, than traditional citric acid ligand.