Developing robust and biobased heterogeneous catalysts remains a major challenge in sustainable chemistry. In this work, cellulose triacetate (CTA), an organically soluble polysaccharide derivative, was combined with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands to design a new family of CTA-supported Cu-NHC catalysts. A series of polymerizable N-vinylimidazolium salts was synthesized by N-quaternization of 1-vinylimidazole and subsequently copolymerized with CTA via AIBN-initiated free-radical polymerization to afford CTA-grafted polyimidazolium salts serving as NHC precursors. Deprotonation with tBuOK followed by CuBr coordination yielded the corresponding Cu-NHC complexes, denoted CTA-g-[(NHC)CuBrR]. The synthesized materials were thoroughly characterized by FTIR, NMR, TGA, XRD, UV-Vis spectroscopy, CHN elemental analysis, zeta potential measurements, and ICP analysis. The resulting Cu-NHC complexes exhibited excellent catalytic activity in Huisgen [3 + 2] cycloaddition and ketone hydrosilylation reactions, as well as remarkable thermal and structural stability. Most importantly, they retained high catalytic performance over five consecutive recycling runs in click reactions. These findings demonstrate the potential of CTA-supported Cu-NHC complexes as efficient, recyclable, and sustainable biobased catalysts.

Chitosan (CS), a naturally occurring polysaccharide derived from chitin, is widely recognized for its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, making it an attractive candidate for sustainable functional materials. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) possess remarkable antimicrobial and catalytic properties but are often produced through energy-intensive and non-ecofriendly chemical routes. In this work, we report the green synthesis of AgNPs using Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract as both a reducing and stabilizing agent, and their subsequent incorporation into CS matrices to prepare CS@R-AgNPs films via a simple ex-situ solution casting approach. The resulting nanocomposite films were comprehensively characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TEM micrographs revealed a uniform dispersion of R-AgNPs within the CS matrix, while FTIR analysis confirmed electrostatic interactions between the polymeric chains and the nanoparticles. The CS@R-AgNPs films exhibited strong antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) strains even at a low AgNPs loading (0.5%). Moreover, the films efficiently catalyzed the reduction of 4-nitroaniline (4-NA) to 4-phenylenediamine in the presence of NaBH₄, following pseudo-first-order kinetics with rate constants increasing from 0.0871 to 0.196 min-1 as AgNPs content increased from 1% to 3%. The catalytic system demonstrated excellent stability, retaining 96% conversion after ten successive cycles. These findings underscore the potential of CS@R-AgNPs films as dual-function, environmentally benign materials for antimicrobial and catalytic applications.

The reductive hydroformylation of methyl 10-undecenoate catalysed by a rhodium/amine system was investigated in the presence of silica. The addition of silica enabled the immobilisation of over 95% of the catalyst, allowing more than 10 consecutive recycling cycles with minimal rhodium loss. Under these conditions, the reaction delivers excellent yields of the corresponding alcohols. Efficient immobilisation relies on the use of weakly hindered amines and can be readily achieved using inexpensive, commercially available trialkylamines such as triethylamine. Moreover, the reaction can be carried out in environmentally benign solvents or under neat conditions without compromising efficiency. The underlying mechanism involves the formation of polar rhodium species that strongly adsorb onto the silica surface, accounting for the unexpected robustness and simplicity of the system.

Chitosan films supported bismuth tungstate microspheres (Bi2WO6) were synthesized via solvent casting technique at room temperature. The surface morphology, elemental composition, crystal structure, thermal behavior and light absorption properties of the obtained hybrid materials were comprehensively examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and Uv-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). All these techniques clearly demonstrated that the Bi2WO6 microspheres have been successfully incorporated into the chitosan matrix. Dielectric permittivity, dielectric loss, electric modulus, impedance and electrical conductivity have been studied in a frequency range of 1kHz-1MHz at room temperature. High dielectric constants and dielectric loss were observed at lower frequency values which is due to the charge accumulation at the electrodes/electrolyte surface. Meanwhile, the prepared nanocomposites exhibit lower dielectric loss at higher frequency values. Therefore, these materials could be regarded as lossless materials at higher frequencies which make them suitable candidates for use in high-frequency devices. Moreover, it was demonstrated that the materials exhibit high catalytic activity with high recyclability in many catalytic cycles for the reduction of 4-nitrophenole. Figure 1

The valorisation of biomass into functional materials provides a sustainable pathway for advanced electrochemical applications. Among biopolymers, polysaccharides especially cellulose stand out for their abundance, low cost, biodegradability, and mechanical robustness. Despite these advantages, their limited solubility and modest ion-transport properties restrict their direct use. To overcome these limitations, chemical modification becomes necessary, and functionalization is a useful way to improve the processability and properties of polymers in general. In our case, fluorinated groups were introduced mainly to help reduce solubility problems and also to improve the electrochemical behaviour of the material. Fluorine can increase polarity, support better ion dissociation, and create a more stable electrochemical environment, making it a practical option among different modification strategies. In this context, we first employed microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as a bio-based, and successfully synthesized its fluorinated form (MCC-F) through a simple one-step synthesis with good yield and easy purification. Structural characterization by FTIR, 1 H NMR, and 19 F NMR confirmed the introduction of fluorinated functional groups onto the polymer backbone. Membranes were prepared by systematically varying the MCC-F/PEO ratio (10:90 to 50:50) and the lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt concentration. The 50:50 MCC-F/PEO formulation exhibited the most balanced performance, combining improved ionic conductivity at room temperature with enhanced lithium-ion transference (t Li⁺ ≈ 0.65) compared to single-polymer systems, the blend also provides superior oxidative stability (~3.82 V), well-defined lithium plating/stripping behaviour, and stable interfacial transport. These findings demonstrate that fluorinated, biomass-derived polymers can serve as promising foundations for sustainable solid electrolytes in organic electrochemical systems. Keywords: Sustainable pathway, microcrystalline cellulose, chemical modification, fluorination.

Nonisocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) foams provide a sustainable alternative to conventional isocyanate-based systems but remain limited by low mechanical strength and thermal conductivity. Here, Ti3C2T x MXene nanosheets were incorporated into self-blown hybrid NIPU foams synthesized from epoxy-cyclic carbonate precursors via amine-induced polymerization with in situ CO2 foaming. Systematic variation of MXene loading (1-7 wt %) revealed strong correlations between nanosheet dispersion, cellular morphology, and multifunctional performance. The MXene fillers refined the foam microstructure, by reducing pore size and thickening cell walls, while simultaneously enhancing polymer chain mobility restriction and interfacial heat transport. These effects yielded substantial increases in glass transition temperature, storage modulus, thermal stability, and thermal conductivity. The results demonstrate that MXene nanosheets act as both reinforcing and structural-modifying agents, enabling sustainable polymer foams with tunable thermomechanical and heat-transfer properties. The developed MXene-NIPU foams combine sustainability with high performance, making them suitable for thermal insulation, packaging, and electronic applications.

Water pollution from organic dyes, antibiotics, and other chemicals poses a significant threat to water quality and availability.

Access to clean water is a critical global priority. Thus, photocatalysis using semiconducting materials has emerged as a promising technology for wastewater treatment. Herein, a novel Bi3O4Br@Chitosan hybrid composite was successfully prepared by immobilizing Bi3O4Br in chitosan (CS) beads. First, Bi3O4Br was prepared via a solvothermal process, followed by its physical embedding in the CS matrix via a simple coprecipitation method. The surface morphology, elemental composition, crystal structure, and optical properties of the Bi3O4Br@CS material were comprehensively investigated using SEM, EDS, FTIR, XRD, TGA, zeta potential, Raman, and UV-vis spectroscopy, indicating excellent compatibility, multifunctional structure, and high structural robustness. Consequently, the Bi3O4Br@CS catalyst exhibits high efficiency in the UV-light-driven photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB), achieving 88% RhB degradation within 150 minutes and total reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) in the presence of NaBH4 within 5 min at room temperature. Additionally, the catalyst shows good stability and can be reused over seven successive cycles without significant loss of activity. Therefore, the combination of adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity within this hybrid catalyst provides an efficient and practical approach for wastewater treatment applications.

ABSTRACT Biopolymer‐based nanocarriers have become promising systems for sustained ion delivery due to the tunability of their polymeric network structure. In this study, crosslinked chitosan‐tripolyphosphate (CS‐TPP) nanocarriers were formulated and optimized using a Box‐Behnken design to test how different formulation parameters affect the properties of the nanoparticles. The improved formulation made nanoparticles that were less than 452 nm in size and had high entrapment efficiencies (>87%). FTIR, XRD, DSC, SEM‐EDX, and DLS all showed that a crosslinked polyelectrolyte network had formed and that divalent metal ions (Fe 2 + , Cu 2 + , Zn 2 + ) had been successfully added. We used swelling analysis and release experiments to look into the connection between network structure and transport behavior. The nanocarriers showed a biphasic release pattern, with an initial burst followed by steady diffusion over eight days. Kinetic modeling with the Korsmeyer–Peppas equation showed that transport was controlled by Fickian diffusion (n < 0.45). The differences in release behavior were due to differences in the strength of the metal‐polymer interaction, which changes the network's compactness and diffusion pathways. These results show that process parameters control the structure and transport properties of the network, which allows for tunable sustained release behavior.

The intrinsic flammability of biodegradable poly(c-caprolactone) (PCL) restricts its application in areas requiring enhanced fire safety. In this work, flame-retardant Ti3C2Tx@ADP-PCL nanocomposites were developed through the incorporation of a phosphorus-functionalised MXene (Ti3C2Tx@ADP). The modified MXene was synthesised via a solvent-free mechanochemical route and subsequently employed as a nanofiller, initiator and catalyst for the in situ ring-opening polymerisation of c-caprolactone. This approach enabled the preparation of composites without the use of metal-based catalysts or external flame-retardant additives. The effect of MXene loading (1-7 wt%) on molecular weight, crystallinity, morphology, surface wettability, thermal stability and fire behaviour was systematically investigated. Size exclusion chromatography revealed a progressive decrease in polymer molecular weight with increasing Ti3C2Tx@ADP content. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analyses showed enhanced crystallinity, consistent with heterogeneous nucleation induced by the MXene nanosheets. Microscale combustion calorimetry demonstrated a significant reduction in peak heat release rate (up to 37%) together with increased char formation compared to neat PCL.

Organic dyes photodegradation solely under visible light represent a low cost and interesting solution for issues related to deterioration of water conditions. In this research study, cellulose acetate (CA) micro/nanofibrous membrane nano-doped has been prepared and tested for orange G dye degradation. Indeed, sulfur-doped titanium dioxide (S-TiO2) nanoparticles as photocatalytic spices were prepared following mechano-synthesis approach and fully characterized using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). Afterward, the prepared S-TiO2 nanoparticles were incorporated into cellulose acetate to elaborate nano/micro fibrous membrane using electrospinning method. Once the membrane elaboration has been optimized, orang G dye photodegradation under visible light was investigated, compared to the result of photo degradation using TiO2 under UV light and very interesting results were obtained. This work provides valuable insight into the design of sustainable and fibrous membranes for organic pollutants photo-degradation and affords a promising stand for future low-cost water remediation technologies.

A soft strategy for the phosphorylation of cellulose and starch has been developed to produce functionalized bio-absorbents (P-Cellulose / P-Starch) for the decontamination of polluted water. The proposed synthesis pathway utilizes only phosphorus pentachloride (PCl5), without the need for urea or acids. The biopolymers were successfully phosphorylated, as confirmed by structural characterization techniques, including solid-state (NMR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Furthermore, detailed insights into the morphological and structural changes as well as the adsorption capabilities of the prepared materials, were thoroughly discussed using results from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), potential zeta measurement, and inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP). Remarkably, the prepared bio-absorbents exhibited enhanced sorption properties for Methylene Blue (MB) through a wide pH range compared to their native forms. These findings shed light on how the molecular structure, reactivity, networking, and functional groups of P-Cellulose and P-Starch contribute to adsorptions efficiency. In addition to demonstrating the bio-absorbents regeneration and reuse, the prepared materials achieved heavy metal removal efficiencies of u to 70 %, significantly outperforming their native forms, which removed only 30 %. This highlights the critical role of phosphate groups and flexible networks in the uptake of contaminants from water.

Chemical modification of chitosan through phosphorylation has gained significant attention for expanding its applications. However, confirming whether phosphorylating agents form covalent bonds with the chitosan backbone or remain as non-covalently associated species has remained challenging using conventional analytical techniques. The diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) NMR of the complementary probes 1H and 31P nuclei was used for distinguishing among the results of three phosphorylating agents: phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, and dimethyl phosphite. While conventional FTIR and common 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy experiments confirmed the presence of phosphorus-containing groups in all samples, DOSY NMR analysis revealed critical differences in molecular behavior. Chitosan backbone protons exhibited consistently low self-diffusion coefficients (4–9 × 10–12 m2/s) across all samples. Phosphorus species in samples treated with phosphoric acid and phosphorous acid displayed significantly higher diffusion coefficients (394–548 × 10–12 m2/s), indicating non-covalent association and freely diffusing in solution. In contrast, dimethyl phosphite treatment produced a 31P resonance at 30.3 ppm with a diffusion coefficient of 11 × 10–12 m2/s, closely matching the chitosan backbone protons values and providing strong evidence for covalent phosphorylation. This work establishes DOSY NMR of complementary probes as a reliable, quick, and simple method for distinguishing between covalent or non-covalent modification of biopolymers.

Chitosan (CS) has garnered significant attention as catalyst support due to its abundance, eco-friendliness, and renewable nature, making it a highly sustainable option in catalytic applications. We report herein a new simple and eco-friendly strategy to stabilize Bi5O7I nanosheets within CS-hydrogel and their immobilization in catalytic applications. The Bi5O7I nanosheets were firstly prepared through a solvothermal process and then stabilized within CS-hydrogel beads through a simple co-precipitation in alkaline media. The prepared Bi5O7I nanosheets and Bi5O7I@CSb composite were fully characterized by X-ray diffraction, XPS, SEM, EDS, TGA, FTIR, Raman, and Zeta-potential. Photodegradation experiments of methyl orange (MO) over Bi5O7I@CSb in aqueous media exhibit a high performance with a removal efficiency of up to 97 % within 120 min. Likewise, the Bi5O7I@CSb composite demonstrated a high reduction efficiency toward 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction up total conversion within only 3 min using NaBH4 as a reducing agent. More importantly, the Bi5O7I@CSb composite could easily be recovered from the reaction mixture by simple filtration with no significant loss of their activity and stability even after 7 and 10 successive uses for both MO and 4-NP, respectively. Thus, this contribution may offer a great opportunity for the use of CS bismuth-based materials in catalytic and photocatalytic wastewater treatment.

The encapsulation of entomopathogenic fungi in polysaccharide matrices is a promising green strategy for protecting them from environmental stressors such as UV radiation and high temperatures (>35 °C). This study presents a novel formulation for encapsulating Beauveria bassiana conidia within a sodium carboxymethylcellulose matrix cross-linked with Al3+ or Fe3+. Beads produced via ionic gelation were subjected to air-drying or freeze-drying and characterized using SEM-EDX, FT-IR, TGA, and XRD. Freeze-dried beads were larger and exhibited a higher swelling capacity than their air-dried counterparts. SEM imaging revealed that freeze-dried beads possessed a spherical, rough surface with a microporous internal structure, whereas air-dried beads appeared flattened and wrinkled. TGA confirmed that encapsulation did not compromise the thermal stability of the CMC matrix. XRD analysis indicated that Al-based beads were semi-crystalline, while Fe-based beads were amorphous. The Al-based beads significantly outperformed the Fe-based ones, encapsulating a 20-fold higher load of B. bassiana conidia. These conidia subsequently produced ten times more new conidia (108 per bead) after 7 days of incubation. Importantly, the Al-based beads provided robust protection to B. bassiana conidia against high dose UV radiation (485.78 kJ/m2) and extreme heat (55 °C). This protection effect ensured that the B. bassiana conidia retained their insecticidal efficacy against Tenebrio molitor larvae and remained viable after six months of storage.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are a leading technology for energy storage. However, due to their flammability, conventional organic liquid electrolytes (LEs) present safety risks. To address these risks, solid composite electrolytes (SCEs), enhanced through specific fillers, have gained considerable interest as safer alternatives that simultaneously improve ionic transport properties and thermal stability. In this work, phosphorylated chitosan (P-CS) has been incorporated for the first time as an organic filler in various weight percentages into a polymer matrix composed of poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) and lithium salt, resulting in the development of novel SCEs for use in all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSLIBs). The incorporation of the phosphate group into chitosan reduces the onset temperature of thermal degradation while significantly enhancing char formation, thereby increasing flame resistance. The optimized SCE containing 5 wt% P-CS exhibited excellent flame resistance and a practical ionic conductivity exceeding 10(-4) S. cm(-1) at 70 degrees C. Additionally, the SCE-5 % P-CS exhibited a lithium-ion transference number of 0.22 and an electrochemical stability window greater than 5.29 V versus Li+/Li. The electrochemical performances of SCE were confirmed through charge-discharge cycles in a solid-state Li||SCE|| LiFePO4 cell configuration, highlighting the potential of P-CS as a sustainable additive for ASSLIBs.

ABSTRACT Photoresponsive polymers have emerged as a dynamic class of materials exhibiting a response to light. On the other hand, amphiphilic polymers are materials possessing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic sides in their macromolecular structure. The particularity of amphiphilic polymers is that they can simultaneously interact with hydrophobic and hydrophilic environments, leading to self‐assembly. The combination of these intriguing photosensitive and amphiphilic properties has spurred the development of amphiphilic photoresponsive polymers with adaptable features. Exposure to light triggers changes in the polymers’ properties, which can be exploited to influence the formation and stability of diverse nanoscale structures such as core–shell micelles, worm‐like micellar assemblies, vesicles, and other complex macromolecular architectures. This precise control over polymer behavior has propelled these materials to the forefront of research and innovation. This review sheds light and classifies the main photosensitive chemical groups used to design such photoresponsive polymers. Furthermore, a concise overview and a discussion about the synthesis pathways of photoresponsive polymers, with or without amphiphilic behavior, are presented, followed by a projection of potential opportunities raised by these polymers to improve controlled agrochemicals release area.

Agriculture today faces the challenge of increasing food production while minimizing the environmental impacts of agricultural practices, particularly the inefficient use of fertilizers. To address this issue, researchers have explored the potential of controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) capable of releasing nutrients at a controlled rate over an extended period. However, the use of non-biodegradable polymer coatings in many commercial CRFs raises environmental concerns. This study investigates the potential of incorporating Moroccan Ghassoul clay, modified or natural, into fertilizer granules to modulate nutrient release profiles. The unique physicochemical properties of clay minerals potentially grant them the ability to adsorb and release essential nutrients gradually over time. The modification of the ghassoul clay was performed using the pillaring technique, which creates a. complex microstructure that can restrict the transfer of water molecules and nutrients. The characterization of pillared and non-pillared clays was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), providing insights into the influence of pillaring on basal spacing and interlayer structure. The morphological analysis was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). It was found that incorporating pillared clay into fertilizers improved the physical properties of granules compared to those incorporating untreated clay and non-incorporated ones. Nutrient release tests assessed using three phosphatic fertilizers through sand column revealed that the use of untreated clay resulted in faster nutrient release due to its inherent swelling properties, facilitating granule disintegration upon contact with water. In contrast, granules co-granulated with pillared clay exhibited a slower release of nutrients, suggesting increased efficiency under specific conditions. The findings demonstrate the incorporation of clay emerges as an effective strategy for modulating nutrient release rates, whether accelerating or slowing, enabling improved fertilization optimization, and potentially addressing environmental concerns.