Over the past few years, nanocellulose (NC), cellulose in the form of nanostructures, has been proved to be one of the most prominent green materials of modern times. NC materials have gained growing interests owing to their attractive and excellent characteristics such as abundance, high aspect ratio, better mechanical properties, renewability, and biocompatibility. The abundant hydroxyl functional groups allow a wide range of functionalizations via chemical reactions, leading to developing various materials with tunable features. In this review, recent advances in the preparation, modification, and emerging application of nanocellulose, especially cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), are described and discussed based on the analysis of the latest investigations (particularly for the reports of the past 3 years). We start with a concise background of cellulose, its structural organization as well as the nomenclature of cellulose nanomaterials for beginners in this field. Then, different experimental procedures for the production of nanocelluloses, their properties, and functionalization approaches were elaborated. Furthermore, a number of recent and emerging uses of nanocellulose in nanocomposites, Pickering emulsifiers, wood adhesives, wastewater treatment, as well as in new evolving biomedical applications are presented. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of NC-based emerging materials are discussed.

/pdf/nanocellulose-from-fundamentals-to-advanced-applications-ecdehj4ngu.pdf

Nanocellulose: From Fundamentals to Advanced Applications

Poly (lactic acid) blends: Processing, properties and applications.

Isolation and characterization of nanocrystalline cellulose from sugar palm fibres (Arenga Pinnata)

Emerged in the middle of 20th century, composite materials are now one of the hotspot research topics in the modern technology. Their promising characteristics make them suitable for enormous applications in industrial field such as aerospace, automotive, construction, sports, bio-medical and many others. These materials reveal remarkable structural and mechanical properties such as high strength to weight ratio, resistance to chemicals, fire, corrosion and wear; being economical to manufacture. Herein, an overview of composite materials, their characterization, classification and main advantages linked to physical and mechanical properties based on the recent studies are presented. There, were presented the conventional manufacturing techniques of composite and their applications. It was highlighted the tremendous need to discovery new generation of composites that should incorporate the synthetic or natural materials by implementing new efficient manufacturing processes. In the combination of matrix and reinforcement materials, the use of natural materials as constituent are compulsory in order to obtain a complete material degradable as environmentally friendly.

Recent progress of reinforcement materials: a comprehensive overview of composite materials

Development and characterization of sugar palm nanocrystalline cellulose reinforced sugar palm starch bionanocomposites.

The use of starch based films as a potential alternative choice to petroleum derived plastics is imperative for environmental waste management. This study presents a new biopolymer (sugar palm starch) for the preparation of biodegradable packaging films using a solution casting technique. The effect of different plasticizer types (glycerol (G), sorbitol (S) and glycerol-sorbitol (GS) combination) with varying concentrations (0, 15, 30 and 45, w/w%) on the tensile, thermal and barrier properties of sugar palm starch (SPS) films was evaluated. Regardless of plasticizer types, the tensile strength of plasticized SPS films decreased, whereas their elongation at break (E%) increased as the plasticizer concentrations were raised. However, the E% for G and GS-plasticized films significantly decreased at a higher plasticizer concentration (45% w/w) due to the anti-plasticization effect of plasticizers. Change in plasticizer concentration showed an insignificant effect on the thermal properties of S-plasticized films. The glass transition temperature of SPS films slightly decreased as the plasticizer concentration increased from 15% to 45%. The plasticized films exhibited increased water vapor permeability values from 4.855 × 10−10 to 8.70 × 10−10 g·m−1·s−1·Pa−1, irrespective of plasticizer types. Overall, the current study manifested that plasticized sugar palm starch can be regarded as a promising biopolymer for biodegradable films.

/pdf/effect-of-plasticizer-type-and-concentration-on-tensile-xxt4iuy1mo.pdf

Effect of Plasticizer Type and Concentration on Tensile, Thermal and Barrier Properties of Biodegradable Films Based on Sugar Palm (Arenga pinnata) Starch

In this study, sugar palm starch (SPS) films were developed using glycerol (G), sorbitol (S) or their combination (GS) as plasticizers at the ratio of 15, 30 and 45 (wt)% using casting technique. The addition of plasticizers to SPS film-forming solutions helped to overcome the brittle and fragile nature of unplasticized SPS films. Increased plasticizer concentration resulted to an increase in film thickness, moisture content and solubility. On the contrary, density and water absorption of plasticized films decreased with increasing plasticizer concentration. Raising the plasticizer content from 15 to 45 % showed less effect on the moisture content and water absorption of S-plasticized films. Films containing glycerol and glycerol-sorbitol plasticizer (G, and GS) demonstrated higher moisture content, solubility and water absorption capacity compared to S-plasticized films. The results obtained in this study showed that plasticizer type and concentration significantly improves film properties and enhances their suitability for food packaging applications.

/pdf/effect-of-plasticizer-type-and-concentration-on-physical-tr9go7lcow.pdf

Effect of plasticizer type and concentration on physical properties of biodegradable films based on sugar palm ( arenga pinnata ) starch for food packaging

Nanocrystalline Cellulose as Reinforcement for Polymeric Matrix Nanocomposites and its Potential Applications: A Review

Thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of cellulose nanofibers reinforced epoxy composites.

Rapid exhaustion of petroleum resources coupled with increasing awareness of global environmental problems related to the use of conventional plastics are the main driving forces for the widespread acceptance of natural fibers and biopolymers as green materials. Natural fibers and biopolymers have attracted considerable attention of scientist and industries due to their environmentally friendly and sustainable nature. Sugar palm is a multipurpose tree grown in tropical countries and it is regarded as a potential source for natural fibers and biopolymer. Sugar palm fibers (SPF) are mainly composed of cellulose (~66.49%) which leads to their outstanding mechanical properties. The starch extracted from sugar palm tree can be plasticized, blend with other polymers or reinforced with fibers to enhance their properties. From literature review, it is clear that no comprehensive review paper published on sugar palm fibers, starch, and its biocomposites. Present review focuses on recent works related to properties of sugar palm fibers and starch, and their fabrication as green composites. The review also unveils the potential of sugar palm fibers and biopolymer for industrial applications such as automotive, packaging, bioenergy and others.

/pdf/recent-developments-in-sugar-palm-arenga-pinnata-based-4f9vk5obkq.pdf

M. L. Sanyang

Papers

Effect of Plasticizer Type and Concentration on Tensile, Thermal and Barrier Properties of Biodegradable Films Based on Sugar Palm (Arenga pinnata) Starch

Effect of plasticizer type and concentration on physical properties of biodegradable films based on sugar palm ( arenga pinnata ) starch for food packaging

Nanocrystalline Cellulose as Reinforcement for Polymeric Matrix Nanocomposites and its Potential Applications: A Review

Thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of cellulose nanofibers reinforced epoxy composites.

Recent developments in sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) based biocomposites and their potential industrial applications: a review