A surfactant is an efficient and common additive used to enhance the spreading of droplets on hydrophobic surfaces. However, a high surfactant concentration is required to achieve the desired performance, resulting in environmental pollution and increased costs. Additionally, the pesticide loading capacity of surfactants at low concentrations (below their critical micelle concentrations) is a concern. Thus, in this study, we developed a strategy to enhance pesticide loading and droplet deposition by mixing small amounts of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (0.1 wt %) and cationically modified cellulose nanocrystals (PCNC). The reduced surface tension, increased viscosity and adhesion, and electrostatic and hydrogen interactions resulted in a low retraction velocity, excellent spreading, and resistance to air turbulence. The improved loading content was facilitated by the hydrophobic domains of PCNC and SDS micelles.

Coagulation is a vital water treatment process for removing colloids, natural organic matter, and microorganisms, such as bacteria and algae. While aluminum and iron salts are highly effective conventional coagulants, their use raises concerns including health risks linked to aluminum exposure, altered water taste, and secondary contamination from exceeding the amount of iron residues. Biomass-derived coagulants, obtained from renewable resources such as plant extracts and agricultural residues, have emerged as sustainable alternatives due to their biodegradability and minimal sludge production. However, their lower coagulation efficiency, particularly in treating complex or highly turbid water, limits widespread application. This study investigates a hybrid coagulation strategy combining cellulose-derived materials dual polymer-grafted cellulose nanocrystals with reduced doses of iron salts to enhance performance and overcome limitations. This synergistic approach significantly enhances coagulation efficiency, achieving 90% turbidity reduction in soluble humic substances in water with minimal coagulant dosage. In addition, this method is a competitive alternative to the use of synthetic flocculant polyacrylamide, offering environmental benefits. In this way, the potential hybrid coagulation mechanism is studied as well. Additionally, the strategy provides a universal framework for integrating various modified biomass-derived coagulants with metallic salts, optimizing dissolved organic matter removal. By advancing this hybrid methodology, the research bridges performance gaps in biomass-based systems. This work not only highlights the potential of hybrid coagulants for natural organic matter removal but also demonstrates their adaptability across diverse environmental conditions.

From the invention of papermaking in ancient times to the wide range of modern applications in the fields of textiles, medicine, food, and nanotechnology, the development of cellulose‐based materials reflects humanity's ongoing exploration and utilization of renewable resources. The production of cellulose‐based materials is highly dependent on the solvents which can deconstruct and regenerate the structure of cellulose. However, the solubility, processing technology, and application development of cellulose materials based on structure deconstruction and regeneration require further research and breakthroughs. Here, structural characteristics, solvent system, modification methods, and degradation performance of cellulose‐based materials are briefly introduced. Moreover, the life cycle assessment is discussed to improve the evaluation system and to further demonstrate the environmental friendliness and potential application of cellulose‐based materials. Finally, several key technologies and strategies that can assist cellulose‐based materials in meeting the performance requirements of bioplastics are emphasized, with a view to increasing recognition of their advantages and potential as biodegradable materials.

By integrating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-borate-tannic acid (TA)-sodium sulfate into cellulosic wood matrices, a novel wood-basedPVA-borate-TA-sodium sulfate (WPBTS) hydrogel is successfully synthesized. Through a multicomponent synergistic design combining natural lignocellulose, PVA, borax, TA, and sodium sulfate, multiple dynamic cross-linking mechanisms-dynamic borate bonding, hydrogen bonding, and metal-ligand interactions-are established, resulting in WPBTS hydrogels with exceptional mechanical properties and self-healing capabilities. The mechanical strength of the WPBTS hydrogel reached an impressive 19.8 MPa, a 45-fold increase compared to PVA-borax-tannic acid (PBTS) hydrogels. Furthermore, the assembled WPBTS hydrogel-based flexible sensor demonstrates a remarkably fast response time of just 20 ms and maintains excellent performance in challenging simulated saline environments. This innovation represents a significant advancement in sensor technology and highlights the potential for transformative applications in complex and demanding scenarios.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are crucial for achieving sustainable energy goals due to their high energy density and long cycle life. They dominate markets like consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and stationary energy storage systems. However, current LIBs use liquid electrolytes, which are toxic, flammable, and their liquid state does not resist dendrite growth, causing battery capacity decline and failure. Additionally, the limited availability of lithium and other metals makes liquid-based LIBs less sustainable. On the other hand, solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) offer a safer alternative as they are non-volatile and can resist dendrite growth. However, ion transport in solids is much more restricted than in liquids, while imperfect solid-solid interfaces contribute to interfacial resistance leading to lower ionic conductivity and increasing Ohmic losses or requiring battery operation at elevated temperatures. Chemical and mechanical degradation of these interfaces can also result in battery capacity fade, and poorer cyclic performance compared to liquid electrolytes. Understanding the ionic transport mechanisms in SPEs is critical for designing and optimizing the nanostructure of polymers and polymer/electrode interfaces to overcome these limitations. In this review, the fundamental mechanisms of ion transport in SPEs will first be explored. Various state-of-the-art approaches for addressing the key challenges in SPEs and their solutions are then discussed. Furthermore, the current status of SPEs is analyzed to determine their potential for replacing liquid electrolytes in the future.

Chemically crosslinked foams possess good wet mechanical stability, and they are promising systems for applications in oil recovery, water treatment, energy storage, etc. However, reports on the effect of crosslinker length on the physical properties of the foam are scarce. Various cellulose nanofiber (CNF) foams (denoted as CPM) were prepared using different molecular weights dicarboxylated-PEG crosslinkers via the esterification reaction. The effect of PEG chain length on the crosslinking efficiency, mechanical strength, porosity, wettability, and oil recovery performance of the produced foams was elucidated. Additionally, the application potential of CPM 600 foam was explored as a nutrient promoter and water retention platform in the field of sustainable agriculture. This fundamental research could provide guidance for the preparation of high-performance porous materials.

Compared to traditional liquid electrolytes, solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) possess significant advantages in terms of safety and stability addressing issues such as leakage and combustion, and hence they are promising for a wide range of energy storage devices, including batteries and supercapacitors. However, challenges like low ionic conductivity and unstable interfaces severely limit their practical application. The rapid development of nanotechnology has offered new strategies for the design and optimization of high-performance SSEs. Nanocellulose has emerged as a key candidate for sustainable SSEs due to its renewability and environmental friendliness. This review reports on recent advances in nanocellulose-reinforced solid-state electrolytes (NCSSEs), exploring their structural design, manufacturing processes, and applications in batteries and other energy storage devices. Nanocellulose, with its large specific surface area, good biocompatibility, and high mechanical strength, not only enhances the ionic conductivity and mechanical stability of SSEs but also inhibits the growth of metal dendrites, thereby improving interfacial stability. However, challenges still remain, such as complex fabrication processes, difficulties in interface management, and low ion migration efficiency. This review discusses the structural design, applications, and main challenges of NCSSEs, and it proposes possible future enhancements to advance their use in next-generation high-performance energy storage and conversion systems.

Research on the interaction between surfactants and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) has mainly focused on the interaction between CNC and conventional surfactants, and there are no reported studies on the interaction between CNC and gemini surfactants. The interactions between CNC and conventional surfactant (tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide, termed as TTAB), asymmetric gemini surfactant ([C14H29(CH3)2N+(CH2)6N+(CH3)2C6H13]Br (14-6-6)) or symmetric gemini surfactant ([C14H29(CH3)2N+(CH2)6N+(CH3)2C14H29]Br2 (14-6-14)) were examined. With increasing surfactant concentration, interaction of TTAB/CNC was described by three regions, i.e. electrostatic interaction, CNC induced micellization and dilution of free micelles. However, in the case of gemini surfactant/CNC, four binding regimes were observed, i.e. cooperative adsorption, CNC induced micellization, formation and dilution of free micelles. The behavior of 14-6-6/CNC was similar to 14-6-14/CNC where CNC promoted the partition of gemini surfactant to the air-water interface at high surfactant concentration, while it was inhibited at low surfactant concentration. At low CNC concentration, micellization induced by CNC and aggregation of surfactant/CNC complexes were absent. pH had a minimal impact on the binding process at low CNC concentration, but it affected the binding at higher CNC concentration. Additionally, the presence of electrolytes influenced the micellization process induced by CNC by reducing the electrostatic interactions.

Exploiting conductive biobased polymer nanocomposites for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding is a rapidly evolving research area. In this study, we systematically fine-tune the nano- and microstructural features of bacterial cellulose (BC) modified with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) for EMI shielding applications. First, to investigate the effect of nanostructure, PEDOT is incorporated into the BC matrix using two methods: chemical vapor polymerization (CVP) and in situ polymerization. The CVP method produces more uniform and denser BC-PEDOT nanocomposites, resulting in cryogels with higher electrical conductivity and total EMI shielding effectiveness (SET) (52 ± 2 S/m, 37 dB) compared to those of the in situ polymerized BC-PEDOT cryogels (7 ± 1.5 S/m, 27 dB). The cryogels' microstructure is then adjusted to control the EMI shielding mechanisms by applying different drying methods: freeze-drying, air-drying, and hybrid freeze- and air-drying. Our results indicate that the more energy-efficient air-drying method enhances the reflection-dominant EMI shielding mechanism, with a slight increase in total shielding effectiveness. The drying conditions also affect the final mechanical properties of the samples. Overall, this study demonstrates that BC-PEDOT nanocomposites are excellent candidates for EMI shielding applications.

Improving pesticide utilization efficiency is vital for environmental sustainability, economic growth, and the protection of human and animal health, particularly in water-based formulations. Numerous studies have shown that surfactants can enhance pesticide encapsulation and improve deposition efficiency on plant surfaces. This review examines the roles of surfactants in pesticide formulations from the perspective of their structural classifications, including conventional, gemini, trimeric, and polymeric surfactants, with a particular focus on how molecular structure influences the droplet behavior and delivery performance. We highlight the applications and functional roles of sustainable, biodegradable, and renewable biomaterials, specifically cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), chitosan, and their derivatives, in foliage- and soil-applied pesticide delivery systems. While both CNC and chitosan possess excellent carrier properties, attaining high deposition efficiency on plant surfaces continues to be a significant challenge. Combining the biomaterials with surfactants offers an effective strategy to improve pesticide utilization. Additionally, this review outlines the current understanding of droplet dynamics on hydrophobic and superhydrophobic plant surfaces, highlighting the mechanisms and formulation strategies used to control droplet behavior and enhance deposition. Finally, we outline key challenges and future directions for the development of next-generation pesticides that integrate high efficacy, reduced environmental impact, and long-term sustainability, thereby advancing the future of eco-friendly crop protection systems.

Water is present in liquid fuels in three different forms: dissolved, free, or emulsified, and its presence can considerably impair fuel quality by encouraging microorganism growth. This growth contributes to the generation of sludge, an increase in turbidity, and the corrosion of tanks and mechanical components of motor vehicles. In this context, this research work proposes the synthesis of a nanocomposite hydrogel made of poly-(methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) by free radical polymerization for removal of water from diesel. An extensive physicochemical characterization of the hydrogels was performed, and a full experimental design (2(2) with 3 central points) evaluated the influence of the different CNF percentages and temperatures on the maximum swelling degree of the hydrogel nanocomposites. According to this experimental design, the only statistically significant independent variable was the CNF percentage. Finally, batch tests were performed to build the kinetic curves based on five adsorbents: CNF, poly-(MMA-co-MAA), and poly-[(MMA-co-MAA) with CNF at 1, 2.5, and 5%]. All samples were highly effective at removing water from commercial diesel in a short time. In this analysis, CNF reached equilibrium in 3 h, while all other samples required 8 h. All composite hydrogels exceeded 80% water removal at the equilibrium time. The high efficiency of the nanocomposites was demonstrated, suggesting the potential for application on an industrial scale, over a wide range of water concentrations.

Ink formulations containing a suspension of single-crystalline molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets suspended in the polymeric semiconductor poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) were inkjet printed for the fabrication of thin-film transistors (TFT). The MoS2 nanosheets were treated with the surfactant trichloro(dodecyl)silane (DDTS) to functionalize the MoS2 surface and created a more stable suspension, reducing the agglomeration of MoS2 suspended in the P3HT solution. This ink formulation was inkjet printed onto the surface of thermal oxide coated, p+-Si wafers to form common-gate TFT device structures. The printed semiconductor formed the active region of a hybrid MoS2 suspension in P3HT of the TFTs. The field-effect mobility for the hybrid-ink TFTs was found to be three times (3x) higher compared to reference devices using pristine P3HT without the suspension. The functionalized MoS2 suspension was also found to form thinner nanosheet suspensions within the P3HT matrix that resulted in approximately 60% higher field-effect mobility compared to hybrid inks without the surfactant. The enhancement of the electrical properties of the TFTs was determined to be due to a structural change in the thin-film semiconductor. The observed current-voltage (I-V) changes were correlated to measurable structural alterations in the semiconductor thin film characterized by x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy.

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ARTICLES ASAPPREVEditorialNEXTReintroducing the INTRODUCTION: How to Write a Compelling Introduction for the ACS Sustainable Family of JournalsAudrey MooresAudrey MooresMore by Audrey Mooreshttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1259-913X, Jingwen ChenJingwen ChenMore by Jingwen Chenhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-5756-3336, Bala SubramaniamBala SubramaniamMore by Bala Subramaniamhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5361-1954, Michael KC TamMichael KC TamMore by Michael KC Tamhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7603-5635, Elizabeth J. BiddingerElizabeth J. BiddingerMore by Elizabeth J. Biddingerhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3616-1108, Dean BradyDean BradyMore by Dean Bradyhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4815-1030, Danielle Julie CarrierDanielle Julie CarrierMore by Danielle Julie Carrierhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3322-4660, Ivet FerrerIvet FerrerMore by Ivet Ferrerhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4568-4843, Nicholas GathergoodNicholas GathergoodMore by Nicholas Gathergoodhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9398-9799, Hongxian HanHongxian HanMore by Hongxian Hanhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2522-1817, Ive HermansIve HermansMore by Ive Hermanshttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6228-9928, King Kuok Mimi HiiKing Kuok Mimi HiiMore by King Kuok Mimi Hiihttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1163-0505, Bing Joe HwangBing Joe HwangMore by Bing Joe Hwanghttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3873-2149, Milad KamkarMilad KamkarMore by Milad Kamkarhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-6822-7370, Kevin LeonardKevin LeonardMore by Kevin Leonardhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0172-3150, Watson LohWatson LohMore by Watson Lohhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8049-3321, Say Chye Joachim LooSay Chye Joachim LooMore by Say Chye Joachim Loohttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5300-1275, Andrew C. MarrAndrew C. MarrMore by Andrew C. Marrhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6798-0582, Michael A.R. MeierMichael A.R. MeierMore by Michael A.R. Meierhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4448-5279, Ryuhei NakamuraRyuhei NakamuraMore by Ryuhei Nakamurahttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0743-8534, Graham N. NewtonGraham N. NewtonMore by Graham N. Newtonhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2246-4466, Thalappil PradeepThalappil PradeepMore by Thalappil Pradeephttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3174-534X, Kotaro SatohKotaro SatohMore by Kotaro Satohhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3105-4592, Wil V. Srubar IIIWil V. Srubar, IIIMore by Wil V. Srubar, IIIhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8226-2458, Ning YanNing YanMore by Ning Yanhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-3371-1709, Asha JamesAsha JamesMore by Asha James, Mihir JhaMihir JhaMore by Mihir Jha, Atal ShivhareAtal ShivhareMore by Atal Shivhare, Julio F. SerranoJulio F. SerranoMore by Julio F. Serranohttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7803-808X, and Peter LicencePeter LicenceMore by Peter Licencehttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2992-0153Cite this: ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2024, XXXX, XXX, XXX-XXXPublication Date (Web):May 31, 2024Publication History Received23 May 2024Published online31 May 2024https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c04252https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c04252editorialACS PublicationsPublished 2024 by American Chemical Society. This publication is available under these Terms of Use. Request reuse permissions This publication is free to access through this site. Learn MoreArticle Views-Altmetric-Citations-LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InRedditEmail PDF (1 MB) Get e-AlertscloseSUBJECTS:Chemical engineering and industrial chemistry,Chemical structure,Materials,Molecules,Sustainability Get e-Alerts

The increasing concerns about food waste and environmental pollution call for highly efficient food packaging materials from sustainable sources. Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) are emerging sustainable materials, and more nonwoody biomasses should be used to prepare CNF-based food packaging materials due to the commercial applications of wood pulp. Herein, we explored the use of four bast fibers to produce CNFs via ball milling and high-pressure homogenization to produce CNF suspensions that were spray-coated onto model fruits (e.g., banana and mango) for food preservation. Unlike other CNF coatings derived from ramie, flax, and kenaf fibers, jute-derived CNF coating significantly prolonged the shelf life of fruits, due to its improved homogeneity, higher oxygen and UV barrier properties, and higher antioxidant activity. This work offers a new strategy to prepare sustainable active packaging materials from natural biomass without chemical modification or additive, boosting related applications in the fields of food and agriculture.

A cross-linked amphiphilic polyelectrolyte colloidal gel (CG) exhibits significant potential for diverse applications, including hydrophobic drug delivery and oil recovery, owing to its enhanced functionality. However, the synthesis of these CGs demands a sustainable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective approach, posing both interest and challenges. This study addresses these considerations by synthesizing model cross-linked amphiphilic CGs using both direct and indirect methods in green solvents. Various macromolecular and colloidal characterization techniques were employed to investigate the chemical composition, internal structure, size distribution, colloidal and structural stability, and pH-, electrolyte-, and composition-dependent swelling and morphology transitions of the CGs. The successful synthesis of monodisperse dual cross-linked CGs containing up to 94 mol% of hydrophilic acrylic acid was achieved through a practical pathway that avoids the use of toxic organic solvents. This involved incorporating a low content of a hydrophobic component (e.g., 6 mol % of butyl acrylate) via seeded semi-batch emulsion polymerization under low pH conditions. The CGs exhibited a logarithmic size dependence on ionic strength across a wide range of electrolyte concentrations (0.1-500 mM) and demonstrated a distinctive pHdependent morphological transition influenced by the hydrophobic content. This study provides a profound insight into the interplay between hydrophobic interactions, swelling-driven forces, and chemical linking, highlighting the impact of composition on the internal structure and size distribution of the CGs.