Article
Polymer Science
Junmeng Zhao, Wenjiao Ge, Jianbo Shuai, Xiangli Gao, Fengshan Zhang, Xiaohui Wang
Summary: Cellulose is a promising feedstock for sustainable materials, and efficient cellulose solvents are essential for its full utilization. Ten superbase amino acid ionic liquids (SAAILs) were synthesized in this study and their properties varied with their cation and anion structures. The ability of the SAAILs to dissolve cellulose is related to their Kamlet-Taft parameters, especially hydrogen bond basicity (beta). Four SAAILs composed of specific cations and anions were identified as promising solvents for preparing regenerated cellulose films (RCFs) with high tensile strength, high Young's modulus, good transparency, and a smooth surface morphology. These halogen- and metal-free SAAILs offer a new avenue for cellulose processing.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Hui Su, Bijia Wang, Zhouquan Sun, Sali Wang, Xueling Feng, Zhiping Mao, Xiaofeng Sui
Summary: This study demonstrates, for the first time, the high-efficient non-destructive dissolution of cellulose in cryogenic aqueous phosphoric acid. The findings highlight the importance of phosphoric acid as a promising cellulose solvent for various applications.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuanlong Guo, Long Cai, Gu Guo, Haibo Xie, Lihua Zhang, Longming Jin, Songmiao Liang, Lijie Hu, Qinqin Xu, Qiang Zheng
Summary: Regenerated cellulose membranes were prepared under mild conditions using different coagulation baths, showing potential applications in packaging, food, and agricultural industries. Among them, membranes regenerated from ethanol demonstrated excellent thermal stability and water vapor and oxygen barrier properties.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
R. Phadagi, S. Singh, H. Hashemi, S. Kaya, P. Venkatesu, D. Ramjugernath, E. E. Ebenso, I Bahadur
Summary: Cellulose dissolution using ionic liquids (ILs) with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as a co-solvent was studied, showing enhanced solubility with the presence of DMF. The study involved theoretical chemistry tools such as COSMO-RS analysis, as well as natural bond orbital (NBO), Fragment molecular orbital (FMO) and chemical reactivity analyses. The regenerated cellulose from both solvent systems exhibited excellent mechanical properties as characterized by various techniques.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Xinyu Lu, Han Que, Haoquan Guo, Chenrong Ding, Xu Liu, Yu Qin, Hossain Mahmud Robin, Chaozhong Xu, Xiaoli Gu
Summary: A homogeneous alpha-cellulose film was prepared by a regeneration method and combined with sodium lignosulfonate to enhance its physicochemical and antibacterial performance, showing improved tensile strength, thermal stability, hydrophilic effect, UV shielding, and antibacterial ability. The study proposed a simple and sustainable method for fabricating a multifunctional and environmentally friendly composite film using lignocellulose resources as raw materials.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jungsoo Han, Yungbum Seo
Summary: In this study, three alkaline mixtures and sulfuric acid were used as cellulose solvents at low temperatures for comparison of cellulose solubility and films' physical properties. It was found that NaOH/urea/ZnO gave the film the highest tensile strength and stretch. While sulfuric acid could dissolve high DP cellulose at low temperatures, alkaline solvents were unable to dissolve high DP cellulose.
Review
Polymer Science
Haiyu Qiao, Maoyuan Li, Chuanyang Wang, Yun Zhang, Huamin Zhou
Summary: Cellulose, as the most abundant biopolymer on Earth, offers attractive performance in terms of mechanical properties, thermal management, and versatile functionalization. This review summarizes the recent progress in fabricating cellulose, including the investigation of its hierarchical structure, analysis of processability, and exploration of various fabrication methods. The challenges and future directions for mass production of cellulose are also discussed.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Huan Zhang, Andreea Ionita, Pilar F. Serinan, Maria Luisa Ferrer, Maria A. Rodriguez, Aitana Tamayo, Fausto Rubio Alons, Francisco del Monte, Maria C. Gutierrez
Summary: Ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents are widely used neoteric solvents. By adding acetic acid to 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, the transition from the original ionic liquid to a eutectic mixture of EMIMCl and AcOH can be promoted. The study investigated the effects of this transition on cellulose regeneration and EMIMCl recovery, and demonstrated the potential application for obtaining highly acetylated cellulose.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fahui Li, Yiyue Shen, Yupei Deng, Jingchun Zhang, Qiqi Wang, Haoyuan Chen, Mai Ouyang, Qianwen Jiang, Guowei Wang, Linghua Zhuang
Summary: Ionic liquids (ILs) have shown potential for the dissolution of cellulose. By preparing two dihydroxyl-functionalized ILs and studying their dissolution properties, it was found that the alkalinity and hydrogen bonding ability of the ILs played a crucial role in cellulose dissolution.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magnus Norgren, Carolina Costa, Luis Alves, Alireza Eivazi, Christina Dahlstrom, Ida Svanedal, Hakan Edlund, Bruno Medronho
Summary: This paper addresses the question of intermolecular interactions in cellulose and challenges the prevailing notion that hydrogen bonding is the predominant factor. The Lindman hypothesis, proposed by Professor Bjorn Lindman, emphasizes the importance of hydrophobic interactions and suggests that cellulose is an amphiphilic polymer. This theory has sparked a reevaluation of cellulose in the scientific community.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pauliina Ahokas, Alexey Khakalo, Aayush Jaiswal, Tetyana Koso, Alistair W. T. King, Elisa Spo''nla, Ali Harlin, Hannes Orelma
Summary: Regenerated cellulose products are gaining attention as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based materials. Ionic liquids are considered green options for cellulose dissolution. This study investigates the influence of hemicellulose content on solubility and regeneration ability of softwood kraft pulps using a novel recyclable superbase-based IL.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Maria Gunnarsson, Diana Bernin, Merima Hasani
Summary: The interaction of urea with both CO2 and CO32- in cellulose/NaOH(aq) solutions leads to increased CO2 uptake and a buffering effect. The route of conversion from CO2 to CO32- may determine the chemical environment of the formed CO32-, regardless of the presence of urea.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Review
Polymer Science
Arjeta Kryeziu, Vaclav Slovak, Alzbeta Parchanska
Summary: This review summarizes the possible pathways of cellulose conversion to a liquid state suitable for the preparation of porous carbons, including hydrothermal liquefaction, less common decomposition techniques, and dissolution of cellulose without decomposition.
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Kaoutar Aghmih, Abderrahim Bouftou, Mehdi El Bouchti, Aicha Boukhriss, Said Gmouh, Sanaa Majid
Summary: The dissolution of cotton fiber was studied using ionic liquids with a functionalized imidazolium cation. Two ionic liquids, IL-acid and IL-amide, were synthesized and used to completely dissolve 5 wt% cotton fibers in 3 h at room temperature. Characterization of the regenerated cellulose showed reduced crystallinity and a transition from cellulose I to cellulose II. The produced ionic liquids were considered as competitive solvents for dissolving cellulose.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Preston Griffin, Jakub Kostal
Summary: The deconstruction of lignocellulose using ionic liquids is a prime example of green chemistry in action. Computational approaches, including quantum mechanics calculations and Monte Carlo simulations, can be used to screen and design safe and selective ILs for this process. These methods ensure mechanistic relevance and safety towards aquatic species.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Wei Chen, Diankuan Gu, Tao Zhou, Xinwen Peng
Summary: A novel recyclable photocatalyst is developed by anchoring organic dyes on biomass-derived polymers through a facile ion-exchange process. It is highly effective for selective oxidation reactions and can be used for the synthesis of sulfoxides from alkenes and thiols. The biomass-supported organic dyes photocatalysts show great promise in the transformation of organic chemicals into valuable complexes due to their synthetic utility, recoverability, reusability, and simplified purification process.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hao Zhuo, Xing Tong, Hongzhi Zheng, Zehong Chen, Bin Gou, Weiyan Yuan, Lin-Ping Wu, Linxin Zhong, Xinwen Peng, Jun Lu
Summary: By mimicking the assembly of natural macromolecules, a supramolecular nanofiber is successfully fabricated from natural polysaccharides through regular and strong interaction, and a high-energy and oriented flow field. The resulting nanofiber exhibits mechanical strength, water resistance, and humidity stimulus-responsive properties. This discovery provides important insights into the assembly of polysaccharides into supramolecular nanofibers and opens up many possibilities for preparing advanced nanomaterials from natural polysaccharides.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ren Zou, Zhongxin Chen, Linxin Zhong, Wu Yang, Tingzhen Li, Jianyun Gan, Yunyi Yang, Zehong Chen, Haihong Lai, Xuehui Li, Chuanfu Liu, Shimelis Admassie, Emmanuel Iheanyichukwu Iwuoha, Jun Lu, Xinwen Peng
Summary: 1D holey g-C3N4 nanorods (HCN) with nitrogen vacancies and oxygen dopants were successfully prepared via cellulose nanofiber (CNF) assisted polymerization, and used for photochemical synthesis of lactic acid via monosaccharide photooxidation. The HCN exhibited remarkable activity with a high yield of lactic acid and excellent hydrogen production rate, which was attributed to the synergetic effect between nitrogen vacancies and oxygen dopants. This work provides new directions for the design of green and efficient photocatalysts for biomass upgrading.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zehong Chen, Yijie Hu, Ge Shi, Hao Zhuo, Mohammed Azam Ali, Ewelina Jamroz, Huili Zhang, Linxin Zhong, Xinwen Peng
Summary: With the increase of environmental pollution and depletion of fossil fuel resources, the utilization of renewable biomass resources for developing functional materials or fine chemicals is of great value and has attracted considerable attention. Nanocellulose, as a well-known renewable nanomaterial, is regarded as a promising nano building block for advanced functional materials owing to its unique structure and properties, as well as natural abundance. This article comprehensively summarizes the recent progress in the design, properties, and applications of advanced flexible materials from nanocellulose, discussing its preparation, merits in fabricating flexible materials, and various applications in energy storage, electronics, sensor, biomedical, thermally insulating, photonic devices, etc. The challenges and future perspectives for developing nanocellulose-derived flexible materials are also discussed.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ge Shi, Xinwen Peng, Jiaming Zeng, Linxin Zhong, Yuan Sun, Wu Yang, Yu Lin Zhong, Yuxuan Zhu, Ren Zou, Shimelis Admassie, Zhaoqing Liu, Chuanfu Liu, Emmanuel I. Iwuoha, Jun Lu
Summary: Maintaining a steady affinity between gallium-based liquid metals and polymer binders is challenging for continuous mechanical deformation applications. In this study, a LM-initialized polyacrylamide-hemicellulose/EGaIn microdroplets hydrogel is developed as a multifunctional ink for 3D-printing self-standing scaffolds and anode hosts for Zn-ion batteries. The hydrogel acts as a framework for stress dissipation, allowing for recovery from structural damage caused by cyclic plating/stripping of Zn2+.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Di Li, Zengyong Li, Zhongxin Chen, Ge Shi, Lu Wang, Zehong Chen, Wenguang Tu, Ruidong Xia, Emmanuel I. Iwuoha, Chuanfu Liu, Xinwen Peng
Summary: The concept of chainmail catalyst, which encapsulates an active species within a carbon support, is well-established to ensure extraordinary stability for catalytic reactions in harsh conditions. However, conventional chainmail catalysts suffer from poor accessibility to active sites, resulting in the need for additional voltage to compensate for sluggish diffusion kinetics in electrocatalysis. In this study, cobalt nanoparticles were encapsulated within N-doped carbonized wood to create a monolithic chainmail electrocatalyst. The resulting catalyst exhibited excellent performance as an electrode for hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, and monosaccharide oxidation reactions.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xuan Zhao, Zehong Chen, Hao Zhuo, Chunyan Zhong, Ge Shi, Tanglong Liu, Xiaofang Huang, Linxin Zhong, Xinwen Peng
Summary: The mechanical properties of biomaterials in nature depend on their hierarchical and ordered structures. However, current biomimetic materials have limitations in strength and toughness due to poor uniformity, weak interfacial bonding, and defects. In this study, an ultra-strong and transparent biomimetic nanocomposite is developed by combining orientation effects and in situ biomineralization to engineer the hierarchical structure. The nanocomposite exhibits high tensile strength and toughness, as well as transparent and anisotropic optical properties.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yunpeng Liu, Zhongxin Chen, Yunyi Yang, Ren Zou, Binglu Deng, Linxin Zhong, Kian Ping Loh, Xinwen Peng
Summary: This study explores sucrose electro-oxidation as an alternative anodic reaction for the production of valuable chemicals. By developing a reversible redox cycle in CoNi layered double hydroxide, the voltage required for sucrose oxidation is significantly reduced compared to oxygen evolution. A solar-driven electrolyser is assembled to co-produce formic acid and hydrogen from natural sugarcane juice, demonstrating a sustainable approach for integrating hydrogen production and biomass electrooxidation for energy applications.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Wen Xu, David Julian Mcclements, Xinwen Peng, Zhenlin Xu, Man Meng, Yidong Zou, Guanxiong Chen, Zhengyu Jin, Long Chen
Summary: This paper describes the effects of thermal processing on the performance of traditional protein-based or starch-based delivery systems, and introduces strategies for improving the heat resistance of delivery systems. These strategies help to expand the application of delivery systems in thermal processing.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Yun Wang, David Julian McClements, Long Chen, Xinwen Peng, Zhenlin Xu, Man Meng, Hangyan Ji, Chaohui Zhi, Lei Ye, Jianwei Zhao, Zhengyu Jin
Summary: Anthocyanins have gained attention in the fields of natural pigments, food packaging, and functional foods for their color, antioxidant, and nutraceutical properties. However, their poor chemical stability and low bioavailability limit their application in the food industry. This paper reviews in vitro modification methods to improve the stability and bioavailability of anthocyanins and explores their applications as pigments, sensors, and functional foods.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongzhi Zheng, Xing Tong, Yuping Zhang, Panchao Yin, Jiwang Yi, Zehong Chen, Haihong Lai, Wei Zhou, Linxin Zhong, Hao Zhuo, Xinwen Peng
Summary: This study successfully achieves the controllable and reversible assembly of nanofibers from natural macromolecules through protonation and deprotonation. The size and morphology of the assembled nanostructures can be precisely controlled by manipulating the electrostatic interaction. The reversible assembly allows for dynamic reorganization of the nanostructure in response to environmental changes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wen Zhang, Siwei Gui, Zihan Zhang, Wanming Li, Xinxin Wang, Junhong Wei, Shuibin Tu, Linxin Zhong, Wu Yang, Hongjun Ye, Yongming Sun, Xinwen Peng, Jianyu Huang, Hui Yang
Summary: Silicon (Si) is considered as one of the most promising anode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). A compact micron-sized Si@G/CNF@NC composite with a tight binding and dual-encapsulated architecture was prepared, which exhibited superior electrical conductivity and deformation resistance. The composite showed excellent cycling stability and good rate performance in thick electrode.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhiyuan Mu, Ren Zou, Wu Yang, Jiliang Ma, Zehong Chen, Ge Shi, Juan Liu, Tingzhen Li, Yunpeng Liu, Xinwen Peng
Summary: We have developed an efficient photocatalyst by introducing cyano groups on graphitic carbon nitride, which can enhance the efficiency of xylonic acid formation and hydrogen production.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Peng Cui, Tingzhen Li, Xiao Chi, Wu Yang, Zehong Chen, Wenjia Han, Ruidong Xia, Admassie Shimelis, Emmanuel Iheanyichukwu Iwuoha, Xinwen Peng
Summary: In this study, alkali pre-treatment of bamboo with N-doping strategy was employed to prepare biomass-derived porous carbon for rechargeable zinc-air batteries. The N-doped pre-treated bamboo-based HPC catalysts demonstrated excellent electrochemical performance, high peak power density, and long-term stability. This work provides guidance and ideas for designing and developing biomass-based carbon materials for electrochemical energy-related devices.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hao Xu, Jiaxu Li, David Julian Mcclements, Hao Cheng, Jie Long, Xinwen Peng, Zhenlin Xu, Man Meng, Yidong Zou, Guanxiong Chen, Zhengyu Jin, Long Chen
Summary: Starch films can be improved by incorporating eggshell powder, which enhances the hydrogen bonding and improves mechanical and barrier properties. Adding epigallocatechin gallate on the surface of porous eggshell powder further enhances the dispersibility and improves UV screening, water vapor and oxygen barrier properties, as well as antibacterial activity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)