Treesearch

Few-layer (three- to four-layer) graphene formed adjacent to zero-valent copper nanoparticles (FG-nZVCu) is a promising material for a wide range of applications, including catalysis, environmental remediation, energy storage, and functional composite development. Kraft lignin (KL) has attracted increasing interest as a sustainable and underutilized solid-state carbon precursor for the production of value-added graphitic materials. The effects of five different solvents on the solubility of KL and the dispersion uniformity of Cu2+ in the KL–solvent matrices were first investigated,...

Black liquor, the alkaline effluent of kraft pulping, is one of the largest underutilized sources of technical lignin globally. This chemically valuable aromatic biopolymer is predominantly incinerated for energy recovery, foregoing the considerable chemical value embedded in lignin’s aromatic backbone and reactive functional groups. Conventional lignin isolation via acid precipitation is constrained by high energy demands, equipment corrosion, and acidic waste generation. These limitations collectively undermine the large-scale valorization of lignin. This review examines conventional and...

BackgroundThe increasing demand for sustainable, high-performance packaging has driven interest in multilayer films combining a cellulose nanomaterial (CNM) core layer with plastic outer layers. In these designs, the polar CNM core layer provides effective oxygen barrier properties, while non-polar plastics serve as protective layers against water vapor. This complementary structure enables improved recyclability and supports the development of circular packaging solutions.Scope and approachThis review overview recent advances in preparation strategies, material interactions, and performanc...

High‐resolution NMR analysis of heterogeneous, insoluble lignocellulosic materials is a significant challenge because poor magnetic field homogeneity and restricted molecular mobility often hinder the acquisition of reproducible solution‐state NMR spectra. In studies of lignocellulosic biomass and plant cell walls, gel‐state NMR methods have enabled important advances. However, practical limitations in sample preparation, shimming stability, and spectral broadening have constrained method robustness and routine use. Here, we present a finely pulverized low‐moisture (FPL) gel‐state NMR...

This study aims to improve the physical properties of biochar (BC) produced through pyrolysis at 300 °C by employing acid activation. Four acids—nitric acid (HNO3), hydrochloric acid (HCl), phosphoric acid (H3PO4), and sulfuric acid (H2SO4)—were used to activate the BC. The acid-activated BC was then characterized to assess the effects of the treatments. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis indicated a 34 percent increase in surface area for BC activated with H3PO4. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis revealed shifts in peak positions and changes in the functional...

Asphalt pavements are an underexplored platform for carbon management because their production and maintenance are energy intensive over long service lives. Here, we redefine biomass-derived asphalt systems not simply as sustainable additives but as carbon-storage material platforms that enable partial substitution of fossil-derived binders while keeping biogenic carbon in durable infrastructure. We propose a molecular-level framework linking biomass-derived carbon structures with asphalt colloidal fractions, emphasizing how aromaticity, polarity, and functional groups regulate compatibilit...

Instrumented indentation is a common technique for measuring the elastic properties of thin materials, including elastomers, gels, and biological materials. Traditional indentation analysis yields a reduced modulus, which is a function of Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio, thus requiring one of the parameters to be estimated or independently measured to decouple the properties. It is difficult in some cases to know the true deformation of the surface due to substrate deformations, machine compliance, and thermal drift. To address these issues, a new technique is demonstrated in which 3D...

Barrier coating of fruits can decrease postharvest loss and improve food security. This study demonstrated the performance of barrier coating using pure plant-based carbohydrate polymers to improve the shelf life of bananas. The coating formulation was made of only two carbohydrate polymers: microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) from commercial bleached hardwood pulp fibers and lemon peel (LP) fibrils from milling commercial dry lemon peels. Bananas were coated by dipping into different MFC/LP suspensions with varied LP loadings. The measured banana peel color browning, fruit weight loss,...

This study demonstrated a sustainable and commercially scalable low temperature (∼100 °C) oxygen delignification (O2-delig) technology for delignifying pristine wood boards to produce advanced superstrong wood structural materials through subsequent densification. Sustainable dimensional wood delignification is the prerequisite first step with a significant barrier to commercialization due to great economic and environmental costs, though the groundbreaking concept of substantial wood densification through delignification has been well established and demonstrated. O2-delig was conducted...

Flooding is an increasingly destructive hazard for wood-based construction, creating conditions that reduce structural performance, promote mold growth, and complicate post-disaster recovery. This paper examines the resiliency of treated and engineered wood products exposed to flooding and natural disasters, with emphasis on material behavior below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Current guidance from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its associated National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and opportunities to improve regulatory recognition of treated wood materials are also...