Biocomposites of Polylactic Acid Reinforced by DL-Lactic Acid-Grafted Microfibrillated Cellulose

Microfibrillated cellulose(MFC)is often added to polylactic acid(PLA)matrixes as a reinforcing filler to obtain fully-biodegradable composites with improved mechanical properties.However,the incompatibility between MFC and the PLA matrix limits the mechanical performance of MFC-reinforced PLA composites.In this paper,DL-lactic acid-grafted-MFC(MFC-g-DL)was used to improve the compatibility with PLA.Reinforced composites were prepared by melt extrusion and hot-cold pressing.The tensile strength of the PLA/MFC-g-DL composite increased by 22.1%compared with that of PLA after adding 1%MFC-g-DL.Scanning electron microscopy(SEM),differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),and dynamic thermomechanical analysis(DMA)were used to explore the enhancement mechanism.The energy dissipation in the MFC network and the improved compatibility between PLA and MFC-g-DL played important roles in the reinforcement.The SEM results showed that there was a closer combination between PLA and MFC-g-DL.The DSC results showed that the addition of cellulose changed the glass transition temperature,melting temperature,and crystallization temperature of PLA.The TG results showed that the initial and maximum decomposition temperature were lower than those of PLA.The ultraviolet spectra showed that the composite had good transparency at a low concentration of MFC-g-DL.

Different Kinds of Microfibrillated Cellulose as Coating Layers Providing Fiber-based Barrier Properties

In this study,we investigated the barrier properties of different kinds of microfibrillated cellulose(MFC)coating layers.The air,oxygen,and water vapor permeability,as well as the water contact angles(WCA),were measured to quantify the barrier efficacy of the applied coatings.The WCA data showed that the surfaces of MFC-coated cardboards are more hydrophilic than those of uncoated cardboards.However,different MFC coatings realize different oxygen transmission rates(OTRs)and water vapor transmission rates(WVTRs).The MFC coating derived from bleached bamboo pulp subjected to carboxyethylation pretreatment(MFCCBP)gave the best oxygen and water vapor barrier performances.The OTR of the virgin cardboard(>16500 cm^(3)/(m^(2)·24 h))decreased to 4638 cm^(3)/(m^(2)·24 h)after coating with the MFCCBP.The WVTR similarly decreased from 1016.7 g/(m^(2)·24 h)to 603.2 g/(m^(2)·24 h).

Preparation and Application of Microfibrillated Cellulose-modified Ground Calcium Carbonate

Microfibrillated cellulose(MFC) was first prepared by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl(TEMPO) oxidation pretreatment and mechanical grinding in the presence of a certain amount of ground calcium carbonate(GCC).The effects of GCC dosage and grinding concentration on the fibrillation were investigated.The obtained MFC was then added to the bulk GCC to form MFC-modified GCC fillers.The properties of MFCmodified GCC fillers were compared to those of the traditional GCC fillers.Results showed that the resulting fibrils became more uniform when the dosage of GCC was 10%~15% and the concentration of the suspension was 6.97%.Compared to traditional GCC,the average particle size of the MFCmodified GCC fillers was larger.Scanning electron microscopy images showed that GCC and MFC formed a bridge structure in the MFC-modified GCC fillers.In the process of papermaking,the MFC-modified GCC fillers decreased the drainage rate but increased the retention of fillers.The prepared papers filled with MFC-modified GCC fillers had higher tensile strength than those filled with traditional GCC fillers.

Lignin-containing Microfibrillated Cellulose Prepared from Corncob Residue via Calcium Hydroxide Co-grinding and Its Application in Paper Reinforcement

In this study,lignin-containing microfibrillated cellulose(MFC)was prepared from corncob residue after xylose extraction via co-grinding with calcium hydroxide.The product was then compared with the MFC obtained by direct grinding and applied to strengthen paper.The chemical composition and morphological structure analysis results showed that the corncob residue can be used to prepare lignin-containing MFC and does not require further purification.Moreover,the co-grinding with calcium hydroxide is easier to fibrillate corncob residue.The MFC obtained by cogrinding with calcium hydroxide had a higher aspect ratio,and its surface was coated with calcium carbonate nanoparticles.MFCs obtained by both the methods mentioned above had an obvious strengthening effect on paper.Compared with the paper without MFC,the tensile index,elongation,burst index,and folding strength of the paper with MFC obtained by co-grinding with calcium hydroxide significantly increased by 17.5%,22.1%,19.5%,and 157.1%,respectively.This study provides a novel idea for the utilization of corncob residue,which may enhance the value and promote the comprehensive utilization of corn by-products.

Effect of Y-Methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) and Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) Towards Preparation of Oil Absorbent Foams from Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Reinforced with Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC)

Increasing usage of foams in various industry sectors had causing serious disposal problems once it reaches the end of its life-cycle.Herein,PVA-MFC foam was prepared by freeze-drying using polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)and microfibrillated cellulose(MFC)as a reinforced material from sugarcane bagasse(SCB).In this study,the PVA-MFC foam was chemically silylated with Y-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane(MPS)and tetraethoxysilane(TEOS).The wetting ability and mechanical strength of the silylated_(2,20)PVA-MFC foam was greatly enhanced compared with unmodified_(2,20)PVA-MFC foam.The silane chemicals(MPS and TEOS)had been confirmed grafted on_(2,20)PVA-MFC foam due to the presence of Si-C and Si-O-C stretching vibration as showed in Fourier Transform Infrared(FTIR)spectra and cloud-like coating of porous pore was observed in scanning electron microscopy(SEM)images.The silylated_(2,20)PVA-MFC foam(MPS and TEOS)exhibited a series of desirable properties such as lower swelling ratio and high absorption capacity of solvents and oils but had low thermal stability in thermogravimetric(TGA)analysis.The characterization of_(2,20)PVA-MFC foam using TEOS was further investigated.A significant difference in morphology was clearly observed between the unmodified and silylated_(2,20)PVA-MFC-TEOS foam through field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM)images.The X-ray photoelectron(XPS)analysis of silylated_(2,20)PVA-MFC-TEOS foam confirmed the presence of C,O and trace amount of Si elements.These synthesized_(2,20)PVA-MFC foam could be a promising material for broad range of polymer foam applications.

Thermal Insulation Properties of Microfibrillated Cellulose Aerogel

Microfibrillated cellulose(MFC)aerogels are bio-based materials with high thermal resistance.In this study,MFC aerogels and MFC-kapok composite aerogels were prepared.A series of experiments were carried out in a climate chamber to study the influence of MFC concentration,the temperature gradient,testing methods and introduction of kapok fibers on the thermal insulation properties of aerogels.The results suggested that the density of MFC aerogels was less than 10 mg/cm3 and the porosity was higher than 99%.Besides,the minimum thermal conductivity of MFC aerogels was 0.0357 W·m-1·K-1 observed at 0.8%MFC aerogels.The minimum thermal conductivity of MFC-kapok composite aerogels was 0.0382 W·m-1·K-1 when the ratio of MFC to kapok was 2∶6.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF MICROFIBRILLATED CELLULOSE AS FILLER MATERIALS IN POLYSODIUM ACRYLATE SUPERABSORBENTS

Three types of microfibrillated cellulose （MFC） with differences in structure and surface charge were used at low concentration as filler materials in polysodium acrylate superabsorbents （SAPs）. The swelling of the composite hydrogels was determined in 0.9% NaCl solution as well as in deionized water. The shear modulus of the samples was determined through uniaxial compression analysis after synthesis and after swelling in 0.9% NaC1 solution. Furthermore, the ability to retain filler effects after washing was investigated. The results showed that all of the investigated MFCs had a strong reinforcing effect on the shear modulus after synthesis. The filler effect on swelling and on the associated shear modulus of swollen samples showed a more complicated dependence on structure and surface charge. Finally, it was found that the filler effects were reasonably retained after washing and subsequent drying. The results confirm that MFC holds great potential as a filler material in superabsorbent applications. Furthermore, the results provide some insight on how the structural properties and surface charge of MFC will affect gel properties depending on swelling conditions. This information should be useful in evaluating the use of different types of MFC in future applications.

Fast self-assembled microfibrillated cellulose@MXene film with high-performance energy storage and superior mechanical strength

The trade-off between the electrochemical performance and mechanical strength is still a challenge for Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)free-standing electrode.Herein,a facile approach was proposed to fabricate a Microfibrillated cellulose@Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)(MFC@Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x))self-assembled microgel film by means of hydrogen bonding linkage.Benefiting from the rich hydroxyl groups on the MFC,the Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)nanosheets coated on the MFC in a time scale of minutes(within 1 min)instead of hours.The ultralong 1D frame of MFC effectively mitigated the re-aggregation of Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)nanosheet.The fluffy MFC@Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)film structure and the constructed 1D/2D conducting Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)pathways in horizontal and vertical directions endowed the fast ion transport of the electrolytes and the improved accessibility to the Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)surface.As a result,the freestanding MFC@Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)microgel film delivered a high specific capacitance of 451F/g.And the rate performance was increased to 71%from the 64%of that of pristine Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)film.Furthermore,the tensile strength of MFC@Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)film was also promoted to 46.3 MPa,3 folds of that of the pristine Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)film,due to the high strength of MFC and the hydrogen bonding effect.

Effect of microfibrillated cellulose(MFC)on the properties of gelatin based composite films

Properties of gelatin composite films(with 4%glycerol as plasticizer)with different mass concentrations of microfibrillated cellulose(MFC)(0.2-1.0%)were investigated.The prepared composite films with 1.0%MFC showed the highest tensile strength(12.32 MPa)with the lowest water absorption rate(391.1%).The composite films can be dissolved in hot water of 95℃ in less than 5 minutes.However,the addition of MFC had insignificant effect on the heat shrinkage and light transmittance of the resultant composite films.

Effects of MFC-modified GCC as Filler on the Opacity of Pulp Handsheets

Microfibrillated cellulose(MFC)was obtained by mechanical grinding of different pulps.MFC-modified ground calcium carbonate(GCC)was prepared in two different ways,designated MFC-GCC composite filler and MFC-GCC flocs filler.The opacity of pulp handsheets loaded with MFCmodified GCC was measured.The effects of MFC originated from different pulps,pretreatment method,and filler modification on the opacity of handsheets loaded with MFC-modified GCC were discussed.The results show that MFC originated from alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp(APMP)was optimal for improving the opacity of the handsheets and PFI grinding pretreatment for MFC provided a denser structure in the corresponding MFCAPMP-GCC floc filler while enzyme pretreatment was more effective in increasing the opacity of the filled paper.Under the experimental conditions,the opacity of handsheets increased from 81.0%to 82.7%when the unmodified GCC was replaced by an equivalent amount of MFCAPMP-GCC composite filler,while other properties were unchanged.

Cellulose synthesis in land plants

All plant cells are surrounded by a cell wall that provides cohesion,protection,and a means of directional growth to plants.Cellulose microfibrils contribute the main biomechanical scaffold for most of these walls.The biosynthesis of cellulose,which typically is the most prominent constituent of the cell wall and therefore Earth’s most abundant biopolymer,is finely attuned to developmental and environmental cues.Our understanding of the machinery that catalyzes and regulates cellulose biosynthesis has substantially improved due to recent technological advances in,for example,structural biology and microscopy.Here,we provide a comprehensive overview of the structure,function,and regulation of the cellulose synthesis machinery and its regulatory interactors.We aim to highlight important knowledge gaps in the field,and outline emerging approaches that promise a means to close those gaps.

Observations of Wood Cell Walls with a Scanning Probe Microscope

Scanning Probe Microscopes (SPMs) observe specimen surfaces with probes by detecting the physical amount of a material between the cantilever and the surface. SPMs have a high resolution and can measure mechanical characteristics such as stiffness, adsorptive properties, and viscoelasticity. These features make it easy to identify the surface structure of complex materials;therefore, the use of SPMs has increased in recent years. Wood cell walls are primarily composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. It is believed that hemicellulose and lignin surround the cellulose framework;however, their detailed formation remains unknown. Therefore, we observed wood cell walls via scanning probe microscopy to try to reveal the formation of the cellulose framework. We determined that the size of the cellulose microfibril bundle and hemicellulose lignin module composite was 18.48 nm based on topography and that the size of the cellulose microfibril bundle was 15.33 nm based on phase images. In the viscoelasticity image, we found that the viscoelasticities of each cell wall of the same cell were not the same. This is because the cellulose microfibrils in each cell wall lean in different directions. The angle between the leaning of the cellulose microfibril and the cantilever affects the viscoelasticity measurement.

Visualization of Cellulose Microfibrils of Phyllostachys pubescens Fibers with Atomic Force Microscope

Atomic force microscope(AFM) was used to investigate the arrangement of cellulose microfibrils (CMF) in Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) fibers. Two methods of sample preparation were used here for different purposes. The first method was chemical maceration with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and glacial acetic acid, through which the obtained fibers were suitable for observing the orientation of CMF in the primary wal1. The other method was to prepare tangential microtomed sections with a thickness of approximately 30 μm, which was used to investigate the arrangement of CMF in the inner wall of cell cavity of bamboo fibers. The results indicated that the CMF are randomly oriented in the primary wall while in the inner wall of cell cavity they are nearly vertical to the long axis of fibers , which is similar to the arrangement of CMF in the corresponding layer of wood fibers. Meanwhile, the highly oriented arrangement of CMF is also observed in a certain layer of bamboo fibers, though it is incapable of determining which layer it is in this study. The pilot investigation demonstrates that AFM is a powerful tool for the high-resolution observation of CMF in bamboo fibers, meanwhile it has the advantages of simple procedure of sample preparation and easy operation compared to the traditional transmission electron microscopy.

Functions of Xyloglucan in Plant Cells

While an increase in the number of xyloglucan tethers between the cellulose microfibrils in plant cell walls increases the walls＇ rigidity, the degradation of these tethers causes the walls to loosen. Degradation can occur either through the integration of xyloglucan oligosaccharides due to the action of xyloglucan endotransglucosylase or through direct hydrolysis due to the action of xyloglucanase. This is why the addition of xyloglucan and its fragment oligosac- charides causes plant tissue tension to increase and decrease so dramatically. Experiments involving the overexpression of xyloglucanase and cellulase have revealed the roles of xyloglucans in the walls. The degradation of wall xyloglucan in poplar by the transgenic expression of xyloglucanase, for example, not only accelerated stem elongation in the primary wall, but also blocked upright-stem gravitropism in the secondary wall. Overexpression of cellulase also reduced xylo- glucan content in the walls as cellulose microfibrils were trimmed at their amorphous region, resulting in increased cell volume in Arabidopsis leaves and in sengon with disturbed leaf movements. The hemiceflulose xylogiucan, in its function as a tether, plays a key role in the loosening and tightening of cellulose microfibrils： it enables the cell to change its shape in growth and differentiation zones and to retain its final shape after cell maturation.

Alteration in Secondary Wall Deposition by Overexpression of the Fragile Fiber1 Kinesin-Like Protein in Arabidopsis

Secondary walls in fibers and vessels are typically deposited in three distinct layers, which are formed by the successive re-orientation of cellulose microfibrils. Although cortical microtubules have been implicated in this process, the underlying mechanisms for the formation of three distinct wall layers are not known. The Fragile Fiber1 （FRA1） kinesin-like protein has been previously shown to be involved in the oriented deposition of cellulose microfibrils and important for cell wall strength in Arabidopsis thaliana. In the present report, we investigated the expression pattern of the FRA 1 gene and studied the effects of FRA1 overexpression on secondary wall deposition. The FRAI gene was found to be expressed not only in cells undergoing secondary wall deposition including developing interfascicular fibers and xylem cells, but also in dividing cells and expanding/elongating parenchyma cells. Overexpression of FRA1 caused a severe reduction in the thickness of secondary walls in interfascicular fibers and deformation of vessels, which are accompanied with a marked decrease in stem strength. Close examination of secondary walls revealed that unlike the wild-type walls having three typical layers with the middle layer being the thickest, the secondary walls in FRA1 overexpressors exhibited an increased number of layers, all of which had a similar width. Together, these results provide further evidence implicating an important role of the FRA1 kinesin-like protein in the ordered deposition of secondary walls, which determines the strength of fibers and vessels.