The rapid development of modern industry and excessive consumption of petroleum-based polymers have triggered a double crisis presenting a shortage of nonrenewable resources and environmental pollution However, this has provided an opportunity to stimulate researchers to harness native biobased materials for novel advanced materials and applications Nanocellulose-based aerogels, using abundant and sustainable cellulose as raw material, present a third-generation of aerogels that combine traditional aerogels with high porosity and large specific surface area, as well as the excellent properties of cellulose itself Currently, nanocellulose aerogels provide a highly attention-catching platform for a wide range of functional applications in various fields, eg, adsorption, separation, energy storage, thermal insulation, electromagnetic interference shielding, and biomedical applications Here, the preparation methods, modification strategies, composite fabrications, and further applications of nanocellulose aerogels are summarized, with additional discussions regarding the prospects and potential challenges in future development

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/adma.202005569

Recent Progress on Nanocellulose Aerogels: Preparation, Modification, Composite Fabrication, Applications

Functional epoxy vitrimers and composites

Most organic polymeric materials have high flammability, for which the large amounts of smoke, toxic gases, heat, and melt drips produced during their burning cause immeasurable damages to human life and property every year. Despite some desirable results having been achieved by conventional flame-retardant methods, their application is encountering more and more difficulties with the ever-increasing high flame-retardant requirements such as high flame-retardant efficiency, great persistence, low release of heat, smoke, and toxic gases, and more importantly not deteriorating or even enhancing the overall properties of polymers. Under such condition, some advanced flame-retardant methods have been developed in the past years based on “all-in-one” intumescence, nanotechnology, in situ reinforcement, intrinsic char formation, plasma treatment, biomimetic coatings, etc., which have provided potential solutions to the dilemma of conventional flame-retardant methods. This review briefly outlines the development, application, and problems of conventional flame-retardant methods, including bulk-additive, bulk-copolymerization, and surface treatment, and focuses on the raise, development, and potential application of advanced flame-retardant methods. The future development of flame-retardant methods is further discussed. 

Advanced Flame‐Retardant Methods for Polymeric Materials

Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO)-derived epoxy thermosets are usually limited by their poor mechanical properties and non-reprocessability. Herein, we report sustainable epoxy vitrimers synthesized fac...

Sustainable Epoxy Vitrimers from Epoxidized Soybean Oil and Vanillin

Since their development over 70 years, antibiotics are still the most effective strategy to treat bacterial biofilms and infections. However, the overuse of antibiotics in human healthcare and industrial applications has resulted in the development of serious antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Therefore, alternative ways to prevent bacteria attachment and biofilm formation are urgently needed. Recently, mediated biofilm formation processes and smart antibacterial surfaces have emerged as promising strategies to prevent and treat bacterial infections. This review discusses the recent progress in biofilm interference and smart antibacterial surfaces. Smart antibacterial and anti-biofilm surfaces should be responsive to the bacterial infection environment, switchable between various antibacterial functions and have a special bio-inspired structure and function. The major topics discussed are: (i) smart anti-biofilm surfaces via the prevention of biofilm formation or promoting mature biofilm dissolution, (ii) smart materials for reversible killing and/or release of bacteria, (iii) smart surfaces responsive to bacterial infection microenvironments or external stimuli and (iv) bio-inspired surfaces with antifouling and bactericidal properties.

Recent developments in smart antibacterial surfaces to inhibit biofilm formation and bacterial infections

A fully bio-based epoxy vitrimer: Self-healing, triple-shape memory and reprocessing triggered by dynamic covalent bond exchange

Dual-functional antimicrobial coating based on a quaternary ammonium salt from rosin acid with in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial and antifouling properties

Preparation of non-isocyanate polyurethanes from epoxy soybean oil: dual dynamic networks to realize self-healing and reprocessing under mild conditions

He Liu

Papers

A fully bio-based epoxy vitrimer: Self-healing, triple-shape memory and reprocessing triggered by dynamic covalent bond exchange

Dual-functional antimicrobial coating based on a quaternary ammonium salt from rosin acid with in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial and antifouling properties

Preparation of non-isocyanate polyurethanes from epoxy soybean oil: dual dynamic networks to realize self-healing and reprocessing under mild conditions

Bio-based thermosetting epoxy foams from epoxidized soybean oil and rosin with enhanced properties

Novel eco-friendly maleopimaric acid based polysiloxane flame retardant and application in rigid polyurethane foam