Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Sungjun Hwang, Yousoo Han, Douglas J. Gardner
Summary: Bleached Kraft pulp, unbleached Kraft pulp, and old corrugated cardboard pulp are suitable for producing cellulose nanofibril suspensions. Spray drying is a fast, simple, cost-effective, and scalable drying method. Spray-dried cellulose nanofibrils can be used as reinforcing materials in polypropylene matrices. The particle size of cellulose nanofibrils affects the material properties.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Sungjun Hwang, Colleen C. Walker, Donna Johnson, Yousoo Han, Douglas J. Gardner
Summary: Enzyme-treated cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) were prepared and spray-dried to investigate their effect on the mechanical properties of composites. The results showed that adding enzyme-treated SDCNFs enhanced the strength of PP and maintained the strength properties.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
E. Rossi, A. G. Salvayd, M. I. Erreab, M. L. Foresti
Summary: In this study, sorbitol was used as a capping agent in the drying of bacterial nano-cellulose (BNC) to prevent irreversible hydrogen bonding between adjacent cellulose nanofibrils. The effects of different sorbitol:BNC mass ratios, drying strategies, and redispersion methods on the water redispersibility of dried BNC were investigated. The results showed that sorbitol significantly limited irreversible hydrogen bonding and allowed for redispersed BNC suspensions with characteristics similar to those of never-dried ones.
FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ana F. Lourenco, Daniela Martins, Fernando Dourado, Pedro Sarmento, Paulo J. T. Ferreira, Jose A. F. Gamelas
Summary: This study found that mechanically treated bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) can improve the mechanical, optical, and structural properties of paper without affecting filler retention. However, the improvement in paper strength was only slight. Additionally, coating the paper surface with BNC can significantly enhance printing quality.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
E. Martinez, M. Osorio, C. Finkielstein, I. Ortiz, Maria S. Peresin, C. Castro
Summary: This study used bacterial nanocellulose as an encapsulation material for oral administration of 5FU. The study found that the drug showed controlled release behavior in the colon and improved its toxicity effect and mechanism of action.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Kiran Verma, Ayon Tarafdar, Ruchika Maurya, Deepak Kumar, Prarabdh C. Badgujar, Kanthi Kiran Kondepudi, Neeraj Dilbaghi
Summary: In this study, a novel nano-curcumin functionalized milk cream powder was developed and analyzed for its stability and retention of physico-functional properties in accelerated storage conditions. The results showed that the nano-curcumin powder exhibited higher curcumin stability and antioxidant activity during storage, and the curcumin particles remained in nano form even after in-vitro digestion and storage.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
F. Villalobos-Castillejos, L. Lartundo-Rojas, D. E. Leyva-Daniel, J. Porras-Saavedra, S. Pereyra-Castro, G. F. Gutierrez-Lopez, L. Alamilla-Beltran
Summary: The study evaluated the effect of different emulsification techniques on the surface distribution, microstructure, and physicochemical properties of encapsulated β-carotene microparticles. Emulsions created by microfluidization showed a higher presence of hydrophilic amino acids on the surface, while emulsions obtained by rotor/stator system exhibited lower encapsulation efficiency and more irregular surface structures. Microparticles provided by the microfluidizer could help in designing fast-hydration and dispersion powder products by spray drying.
FOOD AND BIOPRODUCTS PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Maraysa R. Furtado, Virginia M. da Matta, Carlos W. P. Carvalho, Washington L. E. Magalhaes, Andre L. Rossi, Renata V. Tonon
Summary: In this study, nanofibrillated cellulose suspension from eucalyptus was spray-dried to obtain a powdered material for easy transportation and storage. The rehydrated suspension, homogenized using rotor-stator and ultrasound methods, showed higher stability and viscosity, restoring the nano dimensions of the original suspension. Higher treatment intensities resulted in higher viscoelastic modulus, although lower than the initial nanocellulose suspension.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jin-Woo Kim, Joseph Batta-Mpouma, Gurshagan Kandhola, Joshua Sakon
Summary: Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) can be crosslinked to form nanoparticle-based hydrogels with tunable physicochemical properties, which improves the instability issue of CNCs in moist environments. The strength of intermolecular hydrogen bonding can be controlled by the type and concentration of crosslinkers as well as the CNC concentration. By changing the crosslinking conditions, the surface chemistry of CNCs can be transformed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, and the topology and aqueous stability of self-assembled structures can be tuned.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Maria F. Cortes Ruiz, Yury Brusentsev, Stefan B. Lindstrom, Chunlin Xu, Lars Wagberg
Summary: The development of strong cellulose nanofibril (CNF) networks is crucial for advanced applications, especially in the biomedical field, due to their biocompatible nature and plant-based origin. However, the lack of mechanical strength and complex synthesis methods restrict their application in areas that require both toughness and manufacturing simplicity. This study presents a simple method for synthesizing a low solid content (<2 wt%) covalently crosslinked CNF hydrogel using Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (NIPAM) chains as crosslinks. The resulting networks can fully recover their shape after various drying and rewetting cycles. X-ray scattering, rheological investigations, and compression testing were conducted to characterize the hydrogel and its components. The influence of covalent crosslinks was compared to networks crosslinked by the addition of CaCl2. Furthermore, a mathematical model was developed to describe and predict the large-deformation, elastoplastic behavior, and fracture of these networks to a considerable extent.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ursula Fillat, Priscilla Vergara, Juan Carlos Villar, Nuria Gomez
Summary: This study evaluates the impact of cellulose nanofibres (CNFs) on the barrier properties of commercial paper and finds that CNFs coatings can improve the quality and air permeability of cardboard packaging. The results show that T-CNFs and c-CNFs coatings exhibit good coverage on the paper with low air permeance values, making them potential coating materials for paper packaging.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Abd Ghafar Nurhanis Sofiah, Jagadeesh Pasupuleti, Mahendran Samykano, Kumaran Kadirgama, Siaw Paw Koh, Sieh Kieh Tiong, Adarsh Kumar Pandey, Chong Tak Yaw, Sendhil Kumar Natarajan
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive overview of nanocellulose preparation methods, structure-property correlations, and applications. Nanocellulose is a renewable and sustainable material with tunable surface properties and biocompatibility. The article discusses the classification and production methods of nanocellulose, highlights its unique properties derived from experiments and studies, and elaborates on its potential applications in various areas.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Pingkan Aditiawati, Intan Taufik, Julio Jonathan Gilbert Alexis, Rudi Dungani
Summary: Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) derived from lemongrass leaves (L-BNC) was produced and characterized in this study. The optimal parameters for the fermentation process were 10 g/L lemongrass content and 30 g/L sugar content, with an incubation period of two weeks to achieve a SCOBY production of 56.8 g/L. SEM-EDX analysis revealed a three-dimensional fibrous network of nanofibrils with hydrogen bonds present in L-BNC fibril units. XRD analysis showed a crystallinity of 67.2% for the L-BNC.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Emily D. Cranston, Marc Massicotte
Summary: The recent demand for surfactant-free products has led to the use of bio-based materials instead of petroleum-derived components. This study investigated the drying process of corn oil emulsions stabilized by various materials and found that spray drying was the fastest, most scalable, and least energy-intensive technique. However, it was also the most sensitive to emulsion concentration and high temperature shear stress.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Shaohuang Chen, Ning Yue, Mei Cui, Anastasia Penkova, Renliang Huang, Wei Qi, Zhimin He, Rongxin Su
Summary: A novel strategy for direct reuse and extraction recovery of TEMPO in the production of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) has been developed, enabling clean and cost-effective production of CNFs with negligible loss of catalyst activity.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Alexandru Anisiei, Florin Oancea, Luminita Marin
Summary: Chitosan, a biopolymer derived from renewable resources, has great potential for various applications. By electrospinning chitosan into nanofibers, its active surface is enhanced and the preparation cost is reduced. This paper aims to present the main routes for chitosan electrospinning reported in the literature, discussing their advantages and disadvantages. The influences of different electrospinning parameters on the fiber morphology and suitability for different applications are emphasized.
REVIEWS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Denis Mihaela Panaitescu, Violeta Melinte, Adriana Nicoleta Frone, Cristian Andi Nicolae, Augusta Raluca Gabor, Luiza Capra
Summary: In this study, two polyurethane elastomers were synthesized and blended with PHBV, and the results showed that the addition of polyurethane can improve the elongation of PHBV without significantly affecting its thermal stability.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Denis Mihaela Panaitescu, Zina Vuluga, Adriana Nicoleta Frone, Augusta Raluca Gabor, Cristian-Andi Nicolae, Catalina-Diana Usurelu
Summary: SEBS and SBS copolymers were used as modifiers in PP/hemp fibers composites for electrical vehicle parts. The addition of MAPP improved the mechanical properties of the composites. The composites were developed as substitutes for fully synthetic polymeric materials or metal components in automotive part manufacturing.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Violeta Purcar, Valentin Raditoiu, Florentina Monica Raduly, Alina Raditoiu, Simona Caprarescu, Adriana Nicoleta Frone, Raluca Somoghi, Mihai Anastasescu, Hermine Stroescu, Cristian-Andi Nicolae
Summary: In recent years, various commercial coatings based on fluorinated materials have been developed using different preparation routes. However, these techniques often require expensive and complex equipment, involve multiple manufacturing steps, or are time- or cost-consuming. This study aimed to develop sustainable hydrophobic and transparent fluorinated hybrid coatings using the sol-gel method, which offers advantages such as lower cost, energy consumption, and easier implementation. The influence of perfluorooctanoic acid in the sol-gel process on the properties of the coatings was evaluated, and different silane precursors were used to synthesize hybrid silica materials. The fluorinated silica coatings showed good transparency and hydrophobicity, making them suitable for potential optical devices.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Denis Mihaela Panaitescu, Marius Stelian Popa, Florin Ciuprina, Laura Enache, Adriana Nicoleta Frone, Cristian Andi Nicolae, Augusta Raluca Gabor, Roxana Trusca, Valentin Raditoiu, Bogdan Trica, Marius Ghiurea
Summary: Polymer nanocomposites with high dielectric permittivity are extensively studied for microelectronic devices and energy storage applications. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is a flexible and lightweight polymer with higher dielectric permittivity. The addition of nanosilica and polyaniline (PANI) can further enhance the mechanical and dielectric properties of PVDF, making it suitable for energy storage applications.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Toxicology
Congying Zheng, Sergey Shaposhnikov, Andrew Collins, Gunnar Brunborg, Florin Oancea, Frederik-Jan Van Schooten, Roger Godschalk
Summary: DNA repair is crucial for maintaining genomic stability, and can be evaluated through comet assay-based approaches such as the cellular repair assay and the in vitro repair assay. However, a direct comparison of both assays in multiple cell lines showed no significant relationship between them. The in vitro repair assay correlated with the background level of DNA damage in the test cells and indicated that base excision repair is inducible. These findings suggest that these two assays measure different endpoints of DNA repair and should be considered complementary.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adriana Nicoleta Frone, Catalina Diana Usurelu, Gabriela Madalina Oprica, Denis Mihaela Panaitescu, Augusta Raluca Gabor, Cristian-Andi Nicolae, Florin Ciuprina, Celina Maria Damian, Florentina Monica Raduly
Summary: The use of biomass-derived materials for sustainable and environmentally friendly materials has gained significant attention. This study presents a novel approach to develop bio-based nanocomposites using epoxidized linseed oil, itaconic acid, and surface-treated nanofibrillated cellulose. The addition of nanofibrillated cellulose, especially when treated with silane and methacrylic acid, enhances the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the epoxy-based nanocomposites. These materials also show potential as substitutes for petroleum-based thermosets in flexible electronic devices.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Adriana Nicoleta Frone, Dora Dominica Baciu, Marius Stelian Popa, Cristian Andi Nicolae, Augusta Raluca Gabor, Monica Florentina Raduly, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Denis Mihaela Panaitescu
Summary: This study proposes a facile method to improve the performance of PLA for biomedical applications by incorporating different mass proportions of POSS nanoparticles with AH-POSS substituent using a melt-blending technique. The results show that AH-POSS has simultaneous nucleation and plasticizing effects on PLA nanohybrids, enhancing thermal resistance and easy control of crystallinity while maintaining PLA's biocompatibility. An interesting effect of AH-POSS on the mechanical properties of PLA at body temperature is observed. The PLA/AH-POSS nanohybrids obtained by melt compounding show considerable potential in the fabrication of biomedical devices.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Polymer Science
Denis Mihaela Panaitescu, Adriana Nicoleta Frone
Article
Polymer Science
George-Mihail Teodorescu, Zina Vuluga, Florin Oancea, Andreea Ionita, Jenica Paceagiu, Marius Ghiurea, Cristian-Andi Nicolae, Augusta Raluca Gabor, Valentin Raditoiu
Summary: There is a growing interest in recovering and recycling waste materials, particularly disposable medical face masks and fly ash, due to their hazardous nature to the environment and human health. This study focuses on investigating the properties of composites made from recycled polypropylene from face masks and silico-aluminous ash. The results show that the addition of a small amount of ash can improve the thermal stability and stiffness of the polypropylene matrix.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Bogdan Trica, Naomi Tritean, Diana Constantinescu-Aruxandei, Florin Oancea
Summary: Seed coating is a technique used to improve seed handling and target the delivery of different active ingredients. This study proposes a statistical model approach to optimize the mung bean seed coating process using a mixture of alginate/glycerol in a Wurster fluidized bed coater. The coating process was optimized for specific parameters and the formed film was analyzed. The germination percentage, energy, rate, mean germination time, and vigor index were determined for the coated mung bean seeds.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daria Gabriela Popa, Florentina Georgescu, Florea Dumitrascu, Sergiu Shova, Diana Constantinescu-Aruxandei, Constantin Draghici, Lucian Vladulescu, Florin Oancea
Summary: This study aims to synthesize and identify novel strigolactone mimics that promote photosynthesis and biomass accumulation in microalgae. The tested strigolactone mimics increased the accumulation of chlorophyll b in microalgae biomass. The SL-F3 mimic showed the most efficient effect, significantly increasing biomass accumulation and improving the quantum yield efficiency of photosystem II.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ioana-Alexandra Bala, Naomi Tritean, Alin Alexandru Enache, Bogdan Trica, Diana Constantinescu-Aruxandei, Florin Oancea
Summary: This study investigates the effects of blue light irradiation on Trichoderma atroviride, including cellulase and protease activities, conidia formation, dimension and behavior, and chlamydospore abundance. The results show varying effects on enzymatic activities, increased conidia number and dimensions, and a possible hydrophobic character induced by high dose irradiation.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Rusandica Stoica, Mihaela Ganciarov, Diana Constantinescu-Aruxandei, Luiza Capra, Ioana-Raluca Suica-Bunghez, Raluca-Madalina Senin, Georgiana Diana Pricope, Georgeta-Ramona Ivan, Costin Calin, Florin Oancea
Summary: This study developed a sustainable process for extracting anthocyanins from red cabbage byproducts using apple vinegar as the extractant. The results showed that a mixture of 50% ethanol-water, acidified with apple vinegar, with a ratio of 25 g red cabbage by-products per 100 mL solvent, was the most effective solvent for preparing a stable anthocyanin extract for food applications.
