This study explores the valorization of black liquor (BL), a byproduct of sugarcane bagasse pulping, into activated carbon (AC) for enhanced cadmium (Cd) removal from aqueous solutions. Through acrylic acid (AA) modification in the hydrothermal process and chemical activation with potassium hydroxide (KOH), the synthesized AA-modified activated carbon (AACBL) exhibited exceptional textural properties, including a surface area of 1541.3 m2/g and a total pore volume of 0.84 cm³/g, representing a threefold increase compared to unmodified AC (500.16 m2/g, 0.26 cm2/g). Comprehensive characterization revealed that the raw BL contained 40

Impurities and the heterogeneous three-dimensional structure of alkali lignin complicate its valorization. In this study, technical alkali lignin from soda bagasse was ozonated in ethanol, tetrahydrofuran (THF), 1,4-dioxane, acetone, or methyl cellosolve to combine oxidative depolymerization with solvent fractionation. The comparison tested how solvent polarity and hydrogen-bonding behavior affect product distribution under otherwise fixed conditions. FTIR, GPC, and GC-MS showed differences among the five soluble fractions. Protic solvents retained more phenolic monomers and oligomers, whereas aprotic solvents gave more oxidized products and different H:G:S profiles. The ethanol fraction had the highest apparent thermal stability (Ea = 4.14 kJ/mol; DTG peak = 380 °C) and the lowest Mw (856 Da). Methyl cellosolve produced the highest-Mw fraction (2985 Da) and a more balanced H:G:S distribution. Guaiacol accounted for 40.6% of the ethanol fraction, coumaran for 70.4% of the THF fraction, and syringol for 17.2% of the methyl cellosolve fraction. THF-only controls did not produce a peak assigned to coumaran in the relevant retention-time window, which supports a lignin-derived origin for this signal under the tested conditions. The screening results link solvent properties to lignin fragmentation and the composition of the soluble products. Solvent recycling, residue characterization, process optimization, and atom-resolved mechanistic studies remain to be completed.

This research aimed to investigate the production of a sizing agent based on lignin extracted from the soda pulping black liquor. The crude lignin was subjected to chemical modifications, including sulfomethylation and amination, to improve its reactivity and to increase its solubility in water. Unmodified (crude), sulfomethylated, and aminated lignin were combined with starch and then applied on the surface of test liner papers. In this study, surface, mechanical, colorimetric, and printability properties were modeled via an innovative approach called the artificial intelligence method. The effect of ratios of crude lignin, sulfomethylated and aminated lignin, and even starch portion were investigated on the paper properties, i.e., tensile strength and ring crush test (RCT) as well as optical properties, i.e., L*, a*, and b* indices and optical density and roughness of the treated handsheets by surface. The developed code can appropriately learn the non-linear behavior process and make decisions according to the pattern constructed intelligently. The paper treated with unmodified lignin exhibited an increase in the roughness value, according to the results. It was illustrated that applying a layer based on the unmodified lignin solution increased the tensile index. Also, it caused a relative increase in the tensile index of paper when a sizing solution based on sulfomethylated/aminated lignin was implemented. The value of the RCT for the paper treated with unmodified lignin and even the paper treated using the aminated lignin was as high as the treated paper just based on pure starch. There was no discernible variation in the colorimetric indices between papers treated with the black ink. The findings showed that the treatment containing pure starch had the lowest value of optical density, and the control treatment had the closest value to it. The data about alternative treatments showed that a paper treated with pure lignin without starch has the highest optical density.

Constructing metal-Nx centers using eco-friendly green natural ligands represents a viable strategy to enhance the sustainability of nanozymes. Herein, a Zn-doped aminated lignin (Zn-AL) nanozyme with superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity was synthesized. The resulting Zn-Nx centered nanozyme was achieved through the epoxy-amination of industrial alkali lignin to improve its coordination capability to zinc ions, which could effectively scavenge multiple reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide anions (·O2-), ABTS radicals, and hydroxyl radicals (·OH). Notably, the Zn-AL exhibited exceptional thermal stability, maintaining over 90 % activity across a temperature range of 20-80 °C, and retained over 80 % of its initial activity after 5 recycles. Moreover, at a low concentration of 0.25 mg mL-1, Zn-AL protected calf thymus DNA from UV-induced oxidative damage after 120-min irradiation. These findings highlight that Zn-AL is a robust, sustainable, and efficient nanozyme holding promise for applications in managing oxidative stress.

This study was conducted to investigate the morphological, thermal, mechanical, FTIR, physicochemical (thickness, humidity, solubility in water and water vapor permeability) and antimicrobial properties of polylactic acid film (PLA) containing hybrid graphene oxide-zinc oxide (GO-ZnO: 1.5 % w/v) and Mentha longifolia essential oil (ML:1 % v/v) on chicken fillet kept in the refrigerator. The studied groups were microbially (total count of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, psychrotrophic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus, and lactic acid bacteria), chemically (pH, TVB-N) and sensory (color, odor, and taste) evaluated at 8-day interval (0, 2, 5 and 8). In the examination of the morphological characteristics, the PLA film had a smooth and uniform surface and the addition of ML essential oil created a discontinuous structure and the addition of GO-ZnO led to the production of a denser and more homogeneous film. The presence of GO-ZnO increased the thickness, decreased moisture content and solubility in water, and added ML essential oil increased moisture content and decreased solubility in water (p<0.05). The results of the mechanical evaluation showed that the addition of ML essential oil and GO-ZnO reduced elongation at break and tensile strength (p<0.05). The addition of ML essential oil increased the thermal resistance and the addition of GO-ZnO decreased the thermal resistance compared to the film containing ML essential oil. The antimicrobial effect of films containing ML essential oil was confirmed in this study (p<0.05). The addition of GO-ZnO did not change the count of any of the microbial groups. TVB-N showed that groups containing ML essential oil had lower levels of volatile nitrogenous bases than the control group (p<0.05). Sensory evaluation of the studied groups showed that chicken fillets packed with films containing ML essential oil had the highest score in terms of color, smell and taste. The results of the present study showed that PLA film containing GO-ZnO and ML essential oil can be used to increase the shelf life and maintain the sensory characteristics of chicken fillets, and it can be used as a suitable packaging to increase the shelf life of food products.

This study investigates the sustainable upgrading of bleached kraft pulp (BKP) from softwood into dissolving-grade alpha-cellulose through a series of individual treatments: alkaline extraction, hydrothermal processing (hot water and steam), and organic solvent exposure (TFA, NMMO, and DMAc). This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of these methods in enhancing alpha-cellulose purity while maintaining fiber integrity and reactivity. Alkaline extraction was conducted using sodium hydroxide at concentrations of 8 %, 10 %, and 12 % at varying temperatures (25-60 °C). Hydrothermal treatments were applied with hot water at 150 °C and steam at 100 °C and 190 °C. Organic solvents were tested at different concentrations and durations to assess their influence on cellulose structure and solubility. The results demonstrated that Alkaline extraction with 10 % NaOH at 25 °C for 1 h increased the alpha-cellulose content from 82 % in untreated BKP to 97 %, the highest among the tested treatments. Steam and hot water treatments moderately improved purity while preserving fiber morphology. TFA and NMMO are not traditionally used in dissolving pulp production; however, they showed promising effects on cellulose reactivity and crystalline transformation, as indicated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed thermal and morphological changes across the treatments, with the alkaline-treated samples exhibiting rougher fiber surfaces than the untreated samples. This study compares multiple treatment routes for enhancing cellulose purity in BKP, offering valuable insights into pulp upgrading within the biorefinery framework. These findings support the integration of such strategies into existing pulp and paper mills, facilitating their evolution into advanced cellulose-based biorefineries capable of producing high-value dissolving pulp for textile, pharmaceutical, and bio-based material applications.

Bio-based resins have emerged as promising alternatives to fossil-based resins in the wood products industry, driven by growing environmental concerns and sustainability demands. While traditional formaldehyde-based resins offer strong bonding at low cost, they present significant drawbacks, including hazardous emissions and poor water resistance. This study explores a novel approach to synthesizing bio-resins from diverse lignocellulosic sources: sugarcane bagasse, birch wood, silver cypress wood, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) waste, using hydrogen chloride gas for acid hydrolysis. The research focused on developing furfural-based resins through a three-stage process: controlled acid hydrolysis, extraction, and oxidative concentration of the feedstock materials. We employed multiple characterization techniques-spectroscopic analysis, thermal testing, and rheological measurements-to evaluate the resins' chemical composition, thermal stability, and viscoelastic behavior. Among all feedstocks tested, bagasse-derived resin demonstrated superior performance, achieving the highest furfural yield (31.6 %) and exhibiting exceptional water resistance and thermal stability. These enhanced properties stemmed from efficient cross-linking and the material's naturally high pentosan content. Birch and MDF-derived resins showed intermediate performance characteristics, while cypress-based resins yielded lower stability and production efficiency, reflecting variations in source material composition. Our findings establish that bio-resins, particularly those derived from agricultural residues like bagasse, represent viable replacements for synthetic resins in industrial applications. This research lays the groundwork for optimizing renewable material utilization in eco-friendly resin production, supporting the wood industry's transition toward more sustainable manufacturing practices.

Sugarcane bagasse pith (SBP), a byproduct of sugar production, is often discarded or burned as waste, despite its potential as a biofuel feedstock. This study explores ozone pretreatment as a processing step to enhance the physicochemical and pelletizing properties of SBP for biofuel production. Ozone pretreatment, conducted in a fixed-bed reactor, selectively reduced lignin content and improved the biomass's binding properties, promoting stronger interparticle adhesion during pelletization. Key variables, including moisture content, die temperature, pressure, and ozonation time, were optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with Central Composite Design (CCD), leading to improved pellet density and mechanical strength. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed enhanced thermal stability and combustion efficiency in ozone-treated SBP pellets. These findings demonstrate that ozone pretreatment is a promising, sustainable approach to valorize SBP and optimize biomass pellet production.

The influence of different pulping processes-soda, monoethanolamine, and Formacell-along with cold caustic extraction (CCE) and a bleaching sequence (DEpD) as post-treatments on the properties of lignocellulosic nanocrystals (LCNCs) was evaluated. LCNCs were produced through acid hydrolysis from the pulps. SEM and AFM analyses confirmed the successful production of LCNCs with dimensions under 100 nm. FT-IR analysis indicated the presence of lignin in the nanocrystals. X-ray diffraction demonstrated that acid hydrolysis and CCE significantly impacted the crystallinity of the LCNCs; however, the bleaching effect was minimal. Thermal analysis revealed that LCNCs derived from post-treated pulps exhibited greater thermal stability than those from untreated pulps. LCNCs were utilized to create films using the solution-casting method. The produced films from various pulps and post-treatments displayed excellent and diverse mechanical and aesthetic properties. The results indicated that the pulping processes, post-treatments, and chemical composition of the pulps influenced the characteristics of both LCNCs and LCNC films. The findings suggest that CCE can be a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to bleaching in the production of LCNCs. Furthermore, an increase in lignin content within the pulps was found to reduce the efficiency of acid hydrolysis and crystallinity while increasing the dimensions of the LCNCs.

This work demonstrated enhanced adsorption capabilities of lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) synthesized via a straightforward hydrotropic method compared to pristine lignin (PL) powder for removing methylene blue dye from aqueous solutions. Kraft lignin was used as a precursor and p-toluenesulfonic acid as the hydrotrope to produce spherical LNPs with ~ 200 nm diameter. Extensive characterization by SEM, AFM, DLS, zeta potential, and BET verified successful fabrication of microporous LNPs with fourfold higher specific surface area (14.9 m2/g) compared to PL (3.4 m2/g). Significantly reduced particle agglomeration and rearranged surface chemistry (zeta potential of −13.3 mV) arising from the self-assembly of lignin fractions under hydrotropic conditions enabled the application of LNPs and superior adsorbents compared to PL. Batch adsorption experiments exhibited up to 14 times higher methylene blue removal capacity, from 20.74 for PL to 127.91 mg/g for LNPs, and ultrafast equilibrium uptake within 3 min for LNPs compared to 10 min for PL. Kinetic modeling based on pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equations revealed chemisorption as the predominant mechanism, with a rate constant of 0.032825 g/mg·h for LNPs—over an order of magnitude higher than PL (0.07125 g/mg·h). Isotherm modeling indicated Langmuir monolayer adsorption behavior on relatively uniform lignin surface functional groups. The substantially augmented adsorption performance of LNPs arose from the increased surface area and abundance of surface functional groups, providing greater accessibility of chemically active binding sites for rapid dye uptake. Overall, this work demonstrates that tailoring lignin nanoparticle structure and surface chemistry via scalable hydrotropic synthesis is a simple and sustainable approach for producing highly efficient lignin-based nano-adsorbents for organic dye removal from industrial wastewater.

This research introduces a novel upcycling method for transforming cigarette filters-an abundant and persistent environmental waste-into high-performance epoxy composites reinforced with cellulose nanofibers. The innovation lies in extracting cellulose acetate nanofibers from used cigarette butts via a multi-step purification and electrospinning process, followed by their conversion into regenerated cellulose nanofibers through alkaline hydrolysis. This dual-fiber approach allows us to fabricate four distinct epoxy composites, each reinforced by different nanofiber types: recycled cellulose acetate nanofibers, regenerated cellulose nanofibers from recycled cigarette filters, and their commercial counterparts. Notably, this is the first time regenerated nanofibers derived from waste cigarette filters have been utilized for epoxy composite reinforcement, demonstrating a sustainable, high-value use for a major pollutant. Comprehensive characterizations, including FTIR, XRD, SEM, and contact angle measurements, confirmed the successful regeneration of cellulose nanofibers, showing improved hydrophilicity, reduced crystallinity, and uniform nanofiber morphology with diameters between 200 and 300 nm. The innovation further extends to the mechanical performance of these composites: tensile tests revealed that those reinforced with regenerated cellulose nanofibers exhibited superior tensile strength (49.5-53.8 MPa), significantly outperforming both cellulose acetate nanofiber composites (40.1-42.6 MPa) and neat epoxy resin (31.4 MPa). This marked improvement is attributed to enhanced nanofiber dispersion and interfacial adhesion within the epoxy matrix, an essential advancement over traditional composites. In addition, thermal analysis showed that all composites maintained thermal stability in the 300-400 degrees C range, comparable to commercial alternatives. The regenerated nanofiber-reinforced composites also displayed enhanced optical transparency due to reduced light scattering, making them ideal candidates for applications requiring both mechanical strength and optical clarity. By pioneering the use of cigarette filter waste for fabricating advanced cellulose nanofiber composites, this study presents an eco-friendly approach to addressing environmental pollution while creating sustainable materials with superior mechanical, thermal, and optical properties.

Microporous carbon adsorbents with high surface area and porosity were synthesized from lignin using an acrylic acid pretreatment strategy. Lignin was grafted with acrylic acid via hydrothermal treatment to introduce carboxyl groups, as verified by NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. The incorporated carboxyls enabled ion exchange reactions between lignin and potassium during subsequent potassium hydroxide (KOH) activation. This optimized the dispersion of potassium, allowing effective activation even at low KOH levels. The effects of process parameters, including acrylic acid content, hydrothermal time, and KOH ratio, were investigated. Optimal conditions of 5 wt

Pilot-scale oil heat treatment was conducted to enhance the quality of poplar wood obtained from a fast-growing plantation. Three target temperatures, namely 180, 190, and 200 ˚C, were chosen for the oil heat treatment process. Clear, small specimens were cut from the lumber, following the prescribed standards for assessing wood quality. Light microscopy revealed the ruptures and deformation of the wood cell wall as the treatment temperature increased. The volumetric swelling of the treated specimen decreased proportionally with the increase in treatment temperature. The impact of oil heat treatment on the mechanical properties of wood varied depending on the specific type of mechanical strength and processing temperature. The modulus of rupture, toughness, and hardness of the treated specimens drastically decreased at 200°C. However, the specimens treated at 200°C exhibited much lower mass loss during the fungal decay test. The results of the analytical test showed an increase in the crystalline cellulose content and thermal stability of the treated wood, due to the thermal degradation of hemicelluloses and amorphous regions of cellulose. Overall, it is concluded that oil heat treatment of poplar wood in the optimal temperature is an efficient approach to upgrade its quality with minimal reduction in mechanical strength.

Using novel treatments before lignin-containing nanocelluloses (LNCs) production from agricultural residues is a growing field of fondness due to environmental, economic, and biorefinery issues. So, in this study, cold caustic extraction (CCE) was utilized as a facile, low-thermal, bleaching-free, environmentally friendly, and light alkaline post-treatment of bagasse unbleached soda pulp before lignin-containing cellulose nanocrystals (LCNCs) and lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNFs) manufacturing processes. The optimum conditions of CCE post-treatment of pulp were 10

Mineral paper, a synthetic paper-like material primarily composed of ground calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and a small amount of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), has emerged as an important alternative to traditional paper and board due to the increasing demand for pulp and paper and the shortage of trees and fibrous material in many regions worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the impact of accelerated weathering and aerobic biodegradation on three different types of mineral papers. The specimens underwent 1000 h of accelerated weathering using a Gardner weathering device and were also buried in soil at a depth of 5 cm for 3 months with regular watering conditions for biodegradability testing. Physico-chemical characterizations such as optical (whiteness), surface (roughness, contact angle, and paper topography), and chemical properties of the samples were studied before and after the artificial weathering and biodegradation tests. The results revealed a visible color change (darkening) in mineral papers, with an increase in HDPE content leading to a darker color after weathering and biological degradation. However, there were no significant differences in the color change between weathering and soil-burial tests. The biodegradability test resulted in a decrease in ash content due to the demineralization process. All samples' surface roughness was reduced after weathering and biodegradation tests. The FT-IR and EDS analyses confirmed the presence of calcium, carbon, and oxygen elements in all three samples, indicating a large amount of calcium carbonate in the mineral papers. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed the creation of micro holes and cracks on the surface of the samples after weathering and biodegradation. Overall, the soil-burial test showed more degradation than the weathering test.Highlights The influence of weathering and biodegradation of mineral papers were studied After soil-burial test, the ash content decreased due to the demineralization After weathering, micro cracks were created on the surface of the samples The degradation of the soil-burial test was more than the weathering test Mineral papers most likely contain carbonate calcium and HDPE The influence of weathering and biodegradation of mineral papers were studied. After soil-burial test, the ash content decreased due to the demineralization. After weathering, micro cracks were created on the surface of the samples. image

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was successfully synthesized from sugarcane bagasse using a rapid, lowtemperature hydrochloric acid (HCl) gas treatment. The primary aim was to develop an energy -efficient " green " cellulose extraction process. Response surface methodology optimized the liquid-phase hydrolysis conditions to 3.3 % HCl at 117 degrees C for 127 min to obtain MCC with 350 degree of polymerization. An alternative gasphase approach utilizing gaseous HCl diluted in hot 40 degrees C air was proposed to accelerate MCC production. The cellulose pulp was moistened to 15 - 18 % moisture content and then exposed to HCl gas, which was absorbed by the moisture in the cellulose fibers to generate a highly concentrated acidic solution that hydrolyzed the cellulose. The cellulose pulp was isolated from depithed bagasse through soda pulping, multistage bleaching and cold alkali purification. Hydrolysis was conducted by saturating the moist cellulose fibers with gaseous HCl mixed with hot air. Extensive analytical characterization using FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TGA, DSC, particle size, and porosity analyses verified comparable physicochemical attributes between MCC samples prepared via liquid and gas phase methods. The gas-produced MCC revealed 85% crystallinity, 71 & Aring; crystallite dimensions, and thermally stable rod-shaped morphology with an average diameter below 200 mu m. The similar material properties validate the proposed gas-based technique as an equally effective yet more energy -efficient alternative to conventional aqueous acid hydrolysis for fabricating highly pure MCC powders from lignocellulose. This sustainable approach enables the value -addition of sugarcane bagasse agro-industrial residue into cellulosic nanomaterials for wide-ranging industrial applications. In summary, the key achievements of this work are rapid MCC production under mild temperatures using HCl gas, optimization of liquid phase hydrolysis, successful demonstration of gas phase method, and extensive characterization verifying equivalence between both protocols. The gas methodology offers a greener cellulose extraction process from biomass.

The increasing demand for sustainable alternatives to fossil-based products has prompted research into the valorization of agricultural residues. This study investigated the production of high-quality dissolving pulp from wheat straw using an organosolv process. The primary objectives were to evaluate the feasibility of using organic acids for pulping, optimize the process conditions, and assess the quality of the resulting dissolving pulp. Wheat straw was treated using mixtures of formic acid (FA) and acetic acid (AA) at various ratios (35:65 and 65:35 FA:AA), employing both steaming and immersion methods. The pulp underwent alkaline extraction, followed by a two-stage bleaching process consisting of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) treatment and catalytic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) bleaching with CuSO4 as an activator. The resulting alpha-cellulose samples were characterized using various analytical techniques, including viscosity measurement, FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results demonstrated that high-quality dissolving pulp could be successfully produced from wheat straw using the organosolv process. The highest alpha-cellulose content (92

Conventional microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) production via aqueous mineral acid hydrolysis is energy- and water-intensive, generating high wastewater volumes. An alternative green chemistry approach employs concentrated gaseous acids to enhance yield and conserve resources. This work aimed to develop an efficient, sustainable gas-phase hydrochloric acid (HCl)-air hydrolysis process for MCC production from cotton linters. MCC yield, structure, powder properties, tablet performance, and environmental impacts were characterized. The gas phase method successfully produced 96

This study aimed to develop and characterize novel biocomposites incorporating tall oil fatty acid (TOFA)-modified lignin (TeL), citric acid-esterified polyvinyl alcohol (CeP), and unbleached fibers (UNB) to enhance thermal and mechanical properties while utilizing renewable resources. The research addressed the growing demand for sustainable high-performance materials in various industrial applications. Kraft lignin was modified through esterification with TOFA, while polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was crosslinked using citric acid. These modified components were combined with UNB to create biocomposites with varying compositions. The materials were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile strength testing. FTIR analysis confirmed successful esterification of lignin and PVA, evidenced by a strong ester carbonyl peak at 1730 cm(-)1. DMA results revealed significant improvements in viscoelastic properties, with the highest glass transition temperature (Tg) of 179.47 degrees C observed in the sample containing maximum TeL and CeP content. TGA demonstrated enhanced thermal stability, with samples containing higher TeL and CeP content exhibiting increased char formation and residual masses up to 47% at 500 degrees C. Mechanical testing showed a strong correlation between composition and performance, with the optimal formulation (TeL12-CeP4-UNB4) achieving a tensile strength of 8.7 MPa and a tensile modulus of 59.3 MPa. Potential applications of these high-performance biocomposites include sustainable alternatives for packaging, automotive components, building materials or insulation, electronic devices and other industries where enhanced thermal and mechanical properties are required. These materials present a viable option for replacing conventional petroleum-based polymers, contributing to the advancement of eco-friendly industrial solutions.