The main goal of this article is to provide an overview of recent research in the area of cellulose nanomaterial production from different sources. Due to their abundance, renewability, high strength and stiffness, eco-friendliness and low weight, numerous studies have been reported on the isolation of cellulose nanomaterials from different cellulosic sources and their use in high-performance applications. This report covers an introduction to the definition of nanocellulose as well as the methods used for isolation of nanomaterials (including nanocrystals and nanofibers, CNCs and CNFs, respectively) from various sources. The web-like network structure (CNFs) can be extracted from natural sources using mechanical processes, which include high-pressure homogenization, grinding and refining treatments. Also, rod-like CNCs can be isolated from sources such as wood, plant fibers, agricultural and industrial bioresidues, tunicates and bacterial cellulose using an acid hydrolysis process. Following this, the article focuses on the characterization methods, material properties and structures. Encyclopedic characteristics of CNFs and CNCs obtained from different source materials and/or studies are also included. The current report is a comprehensive review of the literature regarding nanocellulose isolation and demonstrates the potential of cellulose nanomaterials for a wide range of high-tech applications.

Different preparation methods and properties of nanostructured cellulose from various natural resources and residues: a review

A review on chitosan-based flocculants and their applications in water treatment

A high efficiency and eco-friendly porous cellulose-based bioadsorbent was synthesized by grafting acrylic acid and acrylamide to remove anionic dye acid blue 93 (AB93) and cationic dye methylene blue (MB) from single and binary dye solutions. The effects of initial dye concentration, bioadsorbent dosage, contact time, solution pH value, temperature, ionic strength and surfactant content on the adsorption capacity of the bioadsorbent were investigated. The maximum adsorption capacities of the bioadsorbent for both AB93 and MB were 1372 mg g–1 at an initial concentration of 2500 mg L–1. The conditions-dependent adsorption characteristics of the bioadsorbent indicated a high efficiency of dyes removal. The appropriate isotherm model for the equilibrium process was the Freundlich, and the kinetic studies revealed that the adsorption of AB93 and MB followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The adsorbent behaviors were dominated by the electrostatic interactions between the bioadsorbents and the dye mol...

Adsorption Removal of Dyes from Single and Binary Solutions Using a Cellulose-based Bioadsorbent

Improving the safety efficacy ratio of existing drugs is a current challenge to be addressed rather than the development of novel drugs which involve much expense and time. The efficacy of drugs is affected by a number of factors such as their low aqueous solubility, unequal absorption along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, risk of degradation in the acidic milieu of the stomach, low permeation of the drugs in the upper GI tract, systematic side effects, etc. This review aims to enlighten readers on the role of pH sensitive hydrogels in drug delivery, their mechanism of action, swelling, and drug release as a function of pH change along the GI tract. The basis for the selection of materials, their structural features, physical and chemical properties, the presence of ionic pendant groups, and the influence of their pKa and pKb values on the ionization, consequent swelling, and targeted drug release are also highlighted.

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/9/4/137/pdf

pH Sensitive Hydrogels in Drug Delivery: Brief History, Properties, Swelling, and Release Mechanism, Material Selection and Applications

Environmentally friendly fertilizers: A review of materials used and their effects on the environment.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel cellulose-g-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) superabsorbent composite based on flax yarn waste

Development of a compound fertilizer for agricultural and horticultural applications remains an important challenge in the field of biomass synthesis on account of its raw material source and biodegradability. In this work, an eco-friendly slow-release urea fertilizer (SRUF) employing mulberry branch-g-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) (MB/P(AA-co-AM)) superabsorbent was prepared. The MB/P(AA-co-AM) superabsorbent was blended with sodium alginate, urea, and CaCl2 solutions to accomplish this synthesis process. The synthesis conditions of the SRUF and its application performance were examined. The results showed that under the optimal synthesis conditions the water absorbency and water absorbency rate of the SRUF reached 420.0 g/g and 60.0 (g/g)/min in deionized water, respectively. The water retention of the SRUF was 7.2 wt % after 25 d. The urea release in deionized water and soil both exhibited a typical slow release behavior. A degradation rate of 32.0 wt % was attained for the SRUF while it was buried ...

Yong Zhang

Papers

Synthesis and characterization of a novel cellulose-g-poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) superabsorbent composite based on flax yarn waste

An Eco-Friendly Slow-Release Urea Fertilizer Based on Waste Mulberry Branches for Potential Agriculture and Horticulture Applications

Flocculation characteristics of polyacrylamide grafted cellulose from Phyllostachys heterocycla: An efficient and eco-friendly flocculant

One-step green synthesis of non-hazardous dicarboxyl cellulose flocculant and its flocculation activity evaluation.

Synthesis and urea sustained-release behavior of an eco-friendly superabsorbent based on flax yarn wastes.