Eugenol-Derived Molecular Glass: A Promising Biobased Material in the Design of Self-Healing Polymeric Materials

One kind of molecular glass material was prepared via the epoxidation of eugenol and a subsequent thermochemical conversion process. This biobased molecular glass (ET-eugenol) shows high potential in the design of self-healing materials while being incorporated into a polymeric matrix to form a multiphase system. Here, an ET-eugenol/polymerized soybean oil (p-ESO) system with a mass ratio of 1:2 was investigated. Results show that the scratch damage can be healed effectively at a temperature of 90 °C within 15 min or by ultraviolet radiation within seconds. Good dimension stability even at high temperatures can be kept in the whole healing process. A mechanical tensile test shows that compared to the neat p-ESO matrix the incorporation of ET-eugenol (weight percent of 33%) led to a 2.7-fold increase in ultimate stress and a healing efficiency up to 88%. Gel permeation chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometer were carefully conducted to reveal the complex thermochemical reaction during the preparation process of ET-eugenol. Self-healing behaviors were characterized via atomic force microscope and optical images, and the corresponding healing mechanism was discussed from a multiphase structural viewpoint. The work reported here demonstrates the possibility of molecular glass as a promising candidate in the design of self-healing materials

Additional file 1 of A cellulose nanofibril-reinforced hydrogel with robust mechanical, self-healing, pH-responsive and antibacterial characteristics for wound dressing applications

Additional file 1: Fig. S1. FTIR spectra of PEG, RSV, CNF and RSV-PEG-CNF conjugate. Fig. S2. Swelling ratio of different hydrogel groups. Fig. S3. Water vapor permeability of control, commercial Tegaderm film and RPC/PB hydrogel groups with different RPC content. Fig. S4. SEM images of RPC conjugate, PB, RPC/PB-0.2, RPC/PB-0.5 and RPC/PB-0.8 hydrogels. Fig. S5. Storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G'') of PB, RPC/PB-0.2, RPC/PB-0.5 and RPC/PB-0.8 hydrogels versus frequency. Fig. S6. RSV release profiles from RPC conjugate under pH 5.4, 6.2 and 7.4. Fig. S7. FTIR spectra of PB, C/PB-0.5 and RPC/PB-0.5 hydrogels

Table_1_LRP5-Mediated Lipid Uptake Modulates Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.XLSX

Nutritional microenvironment determines the specification of progenitor cells, and lipid availability was found to modulate osteogenesis in skeletal progenitors. Here, we investigated the implications of lipid scarcity in the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) and the role of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), a co-receptor transducing canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signals, in BMSC lipid uptake during osteogenesis. The osteogenic differentiation of murine BMSCs was suppressed by lipid scarcity and partially rescued by additional fatty acid treatment with oleate. The enhancement of osteogenesis by oleate was found to be dosage-dependent, along with the enhanced activation of beta-catenin and Wnt target genes. Conditional knockout (CKO) of Lrp5 gene in murine mesenchymal lineage using Lrp5fl/fl;Prrx1-cre mice led to decreased bone quality and altered fat distribution in vivo. After Lrp5 ablation using adenoviral Cre-recombinase, the accumulation of lipid droplets in BMSC cytoplasm was significantly reduced, and the osteogenesis of BMSCs was suppressed. Moreover, the impaired osteogenesis due to either lipid scarcity or Lrp5 ablation could be rescued by recombinant Wnt3a protein, indicating that the osteogenesis induced by Wnt/beta-catenin signaling was independent of LRP5-mediated lipid uptake. In conclusion, lipid scarcity suppresses BMSC osteogenic differentiation. LRP5 plays a role in the uptake of lipids in BMSCs and therefore mediates osteogenic specification.</p

Microcrystalline Cellulose-Based Eraser

Eraser, the most widely used stationery item made of vulcanized rubbers or petroleum-based resins, is too common to draw attention. Its fragments falling off during the erasing process may appear small and insignificant; however, it should be noteworthy that they are in fact microplastics, which are hard to degrade in nature and pose significant threats to the ecological environment. In this work, a microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)-based elastomer was proposed that displays an impressive erasure effect combined with good biodegradability. This special erasure function is attributed to its unique microstructure, in which a very high loading of MCC (75 wt %) was achieved via a planetary centrifugal mixing of MCC and a polyethylene glycol-derived aqueous polyurethane (APE). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that MCC particles were uniformly coated with APE. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and swelling tests further clarified the specific interactions between APE and MCC. The oriented aggregation principle and Young’s equation were employed to describe the erasure behavior and elucidate the underlying mechanism. It indicated that APE played a key role in transferring pencil lead powders from paper to the eraser. SEM, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that MCC played another key role in facilitating the removal of pencil shavings from the eraser’s surface. This work provides a feasible thought for fabricating an “eco-eraser” based on commercially available MCC, which shows great potential in reducing the harm of eraser microplastics on the ecological environment and develops a brand new application of cellulose in composite materials

Microcrystalline Cellulose-Based Eraser

Eraser, the most widely used stationery item made of vulcanized rubbers or petroleum-based resins, is too common to draw attention. Its fragments falling off during the erasing process may appear small and insignificant; however, it should be noteworthy that they are in fact microplastics, which are hard to degrade in nature and pose significant threats to the ecological environment. In this work, a microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)-based elastomer was proposed that displays an impressive erasure effect combined with good biodegradability. This special erasure function is attributed to its unique microstructure, in which a very high loading of MCC (75 wt %) was achieved via a planetary centrifugal mixing of MCC and a polyethylene glycol-derived aqueous polyurethane (APE). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that MCC particles were uniformly coated with APE. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and swelling tests further clarified the specific interactions between APE and MCC. The oriented aggregation principle and Young’s equation were employed to describe the erasure behavior and elucidate the underlying mechanism. It indicated that APE played a key role in transferring pencil lead powders from paper to the eraser. SEM, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that MCC played another key role in facilitating the removal of pencil shavings from the eraser’s surface. This work provides a feasible thought for fabricating an “eco-eraser” based on commercially available MCC, which shows great potential in reducing the harm of eraser microplastics on the ecological environment and develops a brand new application of cellulose in composite materials

Coassembling Hydroxypropyl Cellulose into a Chiral Nematic Composite and Patternization with a Photomask and Direct Ink Writing

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a next-generation technique for engineering hierarchically structured materials. The development of sustainable ink materials for AM is imperative. In this work, we explored hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) as a sustainable photonic ink for patterning by photomask and direct ink writing techniques. Specifically, we comprehensively investigated the coassembly behavior of HPC with a guest monomer into a chiral nematic structure and the parameters that affect the transition from a solution to composite film of HPC/monomer. The results reveal that the HPC/monomer has the ability to form a chiral nematic structure, and such a hierarchical structure can reflect light with a specific wavelength. The helical pitch in the chiral nematic structure, corresponding to the reflected wavelength, can be modulated via HPC concentration, the addition amount of monomer, cross-linking time, and drying temperature. Additionally, the composite exhibits robust mechanical properties and is capable of tolerating a wet environment (both high relative humidity and water). This comprehensive study is a fascinating example of using a sustainable cellulose derivative as a 3D printing ink and provides powerful support for the development of structural color materials

Microcrystalline Cellulose-Based Eraser

Eraser, the most widely used stationery item made of vulcanized rubbers or petroleum-based resins, is too common to draw attention. Its fragments falling off during the erasing process may appear small and insignificant; however, it should be noteworthy that they are in fact microplastics, which are hard to degrade in nature and pose significant threats to the ecological environment. In this work, a microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)-based elastomer was proposed that displays an impressive erasure effect combined with good biodegradability. This special erasure function is attributed to its unique microstructure, in which a very high loading of MCC (75 wt %) was achieved via a planetary centrifugal mixing of MCC and a polyethylene glycol-derived aqueous polyurethane (APE). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that MCC particles were uniformly coated with APE. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and swelling tests further clarified the specific interactions between APE and MCC. The oriented aggregation principle and Young’s equation were employed to describe the erasure behavior and elucidate the underlying mechanism. It indicated that APE played a key role in transferring pencil lead powders from paper to the eraser. SEM, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that MCC played another key role in facilitating the removal of pencil shavings from the eraser’s surface. This work provides a feasible thought for fabricating an “eco-eraser” based on commercially available MCC, which shows great potential in reducing the harm of eraser microplastics on the ecological environment and develops a brand new application of cellulose in composite materials

Microcrystalline Cellulose-Based Eraser

Eraser, the most widely used stationery item made of vulcanized rubbers or petroleum-based resins, is too common to draw attention. Its fragments falling off during the erasing process may appear small and insignificant; however, it should be noteworthy that they are in fact microplastics, which are hard to degrade in nature and pose significant threats to the ecological environment. In this work, a microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)-based elastomer was proposed that displays an impressive erasure effect combined with good biodegradability. This special erasure function is attributed to its unique microstructure, in which a very high loading of MCC (75 wt %) was achieved via a planetary centrifugal mixing of MCC and a polyethylene glycol-derived aqueous polyurethane (APE). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that MCC particles were uniformly coated with APE. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and swelling tests further clarified the specific interactions between APE and MCC. The oriented aggregation principle and Young’s equation were employed to describe the erasure behavior and elucidate the underlying mechanism. It indicated that APE played a key role in transferring pencil lead powders from paper to the eraser. SEM, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that MCC played another key role in facilitating the removal of pencil shavings from the eraser’s surface. This work provides a feasible thought for fabricating an “eco-eraser” based on commercially available MCC, which shows great potential in reducing the harm of eraser microplastics on the ecological environment and develops a brand new application of cellulose in composite materials

Highly Active N, S Codoped Porous Carbon Derived from Lignin-Rich Pulping Waste Liquor for Supercapacitors and Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Heteroatom-doped porous carbon has become a key material in the field of supercapacitors (SCs) and the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Here, eucalyptus pulping red liquor was used as the starting material for a straightforward one-step NH4Cl-assisted carbonization technique that produced a nitrogen and sulfur codoped bifunctional porous carbon material. The sulfur in sodium lignosulfonate was used as a S atom dopant. NH4Cl added to the red liquor can not only produce NaCl as a template but also as a nitrogen source. The resulting carbons possess rich hierarchical porous structures and high specific surface area (1092 m2 g–1) and ID/IG ratio (1.04), leading to remarkable electrocatalytic activity with a specific capacitance of 326 F g–1 at 0.5 A g–1 for capacitance and an identical onset and half-wave potentials of 0.988 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and 0.847 V vs RHE for the ORR, as compared with the benchmark Pt/C catalyst. Furthermore, when BLC-N/S-1000 was used as an electrocatalyst in an air electrode of a zinc–air battery, it showed superior long-term stability for 356 h at 5 mA cm–2 and 20 min/cycle. Results in the present work pave a new green method to convert abundant low-cost biomass into high-end heteroatom-doped carbons with rich hierarchical porous structures for electrochemical energy devices

Microcrystalline Cellulose-Based Eraser

Eraser, the most widely used stationery item made of vulcanized rubbers or petroleum-based resins, is too common to draw attention. Its fragments falling off during the erasing process may appear small and insignificant; however, it should be noteworthy that they are in fact microplastics, which are hard to degrade in nature and pose significant threats to the ecological environment. In this work, a microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)-based elastomer was proposed that displays an impressive erasure effect combined with good biodegradability. This special erasure function is attributed to its unique microstructure, in which a very high loading of MCC (75 wt %) was achieved via a planetary centrifugal mixing of MCC and a polyethylene glycol-derived aqueous polyurethane (APE). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that MCC particles were uniformly coated with APE. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and swelling tests further clarified the specific interactions between APE and MCC. The oriented aggregation principle and Young’s equation were employed to describe the erasure behavior and elucidate the underlying mechanism. It indicated that APE played a key role in transferring pencil lead powders from paper to the eraser. SEM, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that MCC played another key role in facilitating the removal of pencil shavings from the eraser’s surface. This work provides a feasible thought for fabricating an “eco-eraser” based on commercially available MCC, which shows great potential in reducing the harm of eraser microplastics on the ecological environment and develops a brand new application of cellulose in composite materials