Synchrotron X-ray structures of cellulose I<Subscript>β</Subscript> and regenerated cellulose II at ambient temperature and 100 K

Synchrotron X-ray data have been collected to 1.4 Å resolution at the NE-CAT beam-line at the Advanced Photon Source from fibers of cellulose I_β and regenerated cellulose II (Fortisan) at ambient temperature and at 100 K in order to understand the effects of low temperature on cellulose more thoroughly. Crystal structures have been determined at each temperature. The unit cell of regenerated cellulose II contracted, with decreasing temperature, by 0.25%, 0.22% and 0.1% along the a, b, and c axes, respectively, whereas that of cellulose I_β contracted only in the direction of the a axis, by 0.9%. The value of 4.6×10^?5 K^?1 for the thermal expansion coefficient of cellulose I_β in the a axis direction can be explained by simple harmonic molecular oscillations and the lack of hydrogen-bonding in this direction. The molecular conformations of each allomorph are essential unchanged by cooling to 100 K. The room temperature crystal structure of regenerated cellulose II is essentially identical to the crystal structure of mercerized cellulose II.     

Application of a cellulose phosphate ion exchange membrane as a binding phase in the diffusive gradients in thin films technique for measurement of trace metals

The technique of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) is a newly developed analytical technique capable of measuring in situ concentrations of trace metals in the environment. The technique employs a thin film diffusive hydrogel (with well-defined diffusion properties) in contact with a binding phase capable of binding metal ions of interest. In this work, we demonstrate, for the first time, the use of a commercially available solid ion exchange membrane (Whatman P81) as the binding phase in DGT analysis. The cellulose phosphate-based Whatman P81 membrane is a strong cation exchange membrane. Its performance characteristics as a new binding phase in DGT measurement of Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were systematically investigated. Several advantages over the conventional ion exchange resin-embedded hydrogel binding phases used in DGT were observed including simple preparation, ease of handling, and reusability. The binding capacities of the material to various metal ions were examined both collectively and individually. The binding phase preferentially binds to transition metal ions rather than matrix ions such as potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium, which are competitive species in natural waters. Within the optimum pH range (pH 4.0-9.0), the maximum non-competitive binding capacities of the membrane for Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were 3.22 and 3.07 μmol cm⁻², respectively. The suitability of the new membrane-based binding phase for DGT applications was validated experimentally. The experimental results demonstrated excellent agreement with theoretically predicted trends. The measurement was not degraded after four consecutive reuses of the cellulose phosphate binding phase.     

Tying together the ultrastructural modifications of wood fibre induced by pulping processes with the mechanical properties of paper

The composition and ultrastructural arrangement of cell wall polymers in wood fibres have determining influence on the properties of wood derived materials. It is therefore important to improve our understanding of the relationship between fibres organisation, the modifications induced by pulping treatments, and the resulting paper sheet mechanical properties. The different treatments to which fibres are subjected during the manufacturing of pulps and papers induce morphological and micro-structural alterations due to the removal of wall constituents and of microfibrillar elements. The impact of pulping processes on fibres was investigated at the ultrastructural scale of transmission electron microscopy. Particular attention was given to the effects of beating in refiners at various intensities on the ultrastructure of fibres. The most characteristic effects consisted of delaminations, microfibril disorganisation, and even fractures, of varying importance depending on the intensity of the mechanical refining. The consequences of internal alterations and surface modifications of the fibres were examined in relation to the paper sheet mechanical properties. Correlations between the type of alteration observed in the fibres and its possible impact on a given paper mechanical property are suggested. With similar approaches, the effects of drying and recycling were studied.     

Gadolinium‐Decorated Silica Microspheres as Redox‐Responsive MRI Probes for Applications in Cell Therapy Follow‐Up

The redox microenvironment within a cell graft can be considered as an indicator to assess whether the graft is metabolically active or hypoxic. We present a redox‐responsive MRI probe based on porous silica microparticles whose surface has been decorated with a Gd‐chelate through a disulphide bridge. Such microparticles are designed to be interspersed with therapeutic cells within a biocompatible hydrogel. The onset of reducing conditions within the hydrogel is paralleled by an increased clearance of Gd, that can be detected by MRI.     

Micro- and nano-mechanical characterization of polyamide 11 and its composites containing cellulose nanofibers

Nanocomposites from polyamide 11 and dried cellulose nanofibers (CNs), 16–30 nm in thickness and 50–400 nm in length, were prepared via direct melt mixing and their micro- and nano-mechanical properties were studied. (PF) QNM (Quantitative Nanomechanical Mapping) method was used to map nanomechanical properties at the surface of polyamide 11 and nanocomposites. This new AFM method emphasized both the increased modulus in nanocomposites as compared to the matrix and the microstructure on different levels in polyamide 11 and its nanocomposites. PF QNM showed that their crystalline structure consists of bundles of lamellar stacks, 200–350 nm in width and 20–40 nm wide lamellar stacks. Moreover, PF QNM study emphasized higher structural order in nanocomposites with 3 and 5 wt.% CNs and lower in the nanocomposite with 8 wt.% CNs as compared to the reference. These observations were verified and are consistent with both crystallinity values determined by DSC and micro-mechanical test results. The oriented bundles of lamellar stacks, observed by PF QNM, could be considered as the main blocks determining high mechanical properties for the studied nanomaterials.     

微米级PS-PEDOT核壳型导电微球的合成与拉曼表征

以分散聚合法制备的微米级聚苯乙烯(PS)微球为模板、3,4-乙烯二氧噻吩(EDOT)为单体、过硫酸铵(APS)为引发剂,通过氧化聚合制备了PS-PEDOT核壳型复合导电微球。采用扫描电镜、透射电镜等对导电微球的形貌和结构进行了表征,重点采用拉曼光谱研究了其核壳结构特征。并研究了超声分散、溶液pH以及单体配比对导电微球形貌的影响。实验结果表明:超声的引入可提高导电微球的单分散性,改善微球的形貌。随着pH的降低或单体配比的增加,导电聚合物在PS微球表面的负载量随之增加,当m(EDOT)/m(PS)由0.60增加到1.25时,导电微球的平均粒径由1.76μm增加到1.91μm。     

Why to synthesize vaterite polymorph of calcium carbonate on the cellulose matrix via sonochemistry process?

Vaterite is an important biomedical material due to its features such as high specific surface area, high solubility, high dispersion, and small specific gravity. The purposes of this article were to explore the growth mechanism of vaterite on the cellulose matrix via sonochmistry process. In the work reported herein, the influences of experimental parameters on the polymorph of calcium carbonate were investigated in detail. The calcium carbonate crystals on the cellulose matrix were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Experimental results revealed that all the reactants, solvent, and synthesis method played an important role in the polymorph of calcium carbonate. The pure phase of vaterite polymorph was obtained using Na₂CO₃ as reactant in ethylene glycol on the cellulose matrix via sonochmistry process. Based on the experimental results, one can conclude that the synthesis of vaterite polymorph is a system process.