Characterization of pulp derived nanocellulose hydrogels using AVAP® technology.
Stuart Kyle1, Zita M Jessop1, Ayesha Al-Sabah2
1Reconstructive Surgery & Regenerative Medicine Group (ReconRegen), Institute of Life Sciences, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK; The Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, SA6 6NL, UK.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|August 11, 2018
Summary
Researchers developed nanocellulose materials from wood biomass. These advanced nanocellulose (NC) materials exhibit unique structures and properties, showing potential for biomaterial applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Bioinspiration from natural hierarchical structures drives advanced functional material development.
- Nanocellulose (NC) is gaining attention for high-performance materials with tunable properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prepare and characterize nanocellulose fibrils, nanocrystals, and a novel blend from softwood biomass.
- To investigate the microarchitecture, porosity, and mechanical properties of these nanocellulose variants.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of nanocellulose using AVAP® biorefinery technology.
- Characterization via electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, AFM), FTIR, XRD, thermal analysis, surface charge, and rheology.
Main Results:
- All nanocellulose forms displayed nano- and microarchitectures with porosity, except for nanocrystals with compact nanorod packing.
- The NC blend showed porous fibrillar networks with interconnecting nanorods.
- Materials confirmed as pure cellulose I, exhibiting excellent thermal stability and stable colloidal suspensions. Rheology indicated dominant elasticity, with the NC blend being more rigid.
Conclusions:
- The developed nanocellulose materials possess distinct microarchitectures and tunable properties.
- The NC blend's unique structure suggests a double network hydrogel.
- These materials show significant potential for biomaterial applications requiring controlled microarchitecture, topography, and porosity.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Hybridoma Technology
17.7K
Hybridoma technology is used for the large-scale production of monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies bind to only a single antigenic determinant or epitope. Such antibodies are used in research, diagnostics, and disease therapy. The hybridoma technology established in 1975 by Georges Köhler and Cesar Milstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1984 for revolutionizing research and therapy.
Hybridoma Selection
Commonly used fusion techniques — electroporation,...
Hybridoma Selection
Commonly used fusion techniques — electroporation,...
17.7K
01:30Health Information Technology and Healthcare Information System
3.4K
Health Information Technology (HIT)
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
3.4K
03:02Measurement: Derived Units
55.7K
The International System of Units or SI system, by international agreement, has fixed measurement units for seven fundamental properties: length, mass, time, temperature, electric current, amount of substance, and luminosity. These are called the SI base units.
55.7K
01:29Higher Derivatives
91
In calculus, higher-order derivatives extend the idea of differentiation beyond the first derivative to capture successive rates of change. These derivatives provide detailed information about the behavior of functions and have important applications in both mathematics and physics. To illustrate these concepts, consider the example functionwhich serves as a useful case study for exploring higher derivatives.The first derivative represents the slope of the original function. The second...
91
01:15Derivatives
163
DerivativesThe concept of instantaneous rate of change is fundamental in both mathematics and physics, particularly in describing how a moving object alters its position with respect to time. This rate is captured mathematically through the derivative of a function. The derivative at a point represents the slope of the tangent line to the curve of the function at that point and quantifies how the function’s output changes per infinitesimal change in input.Derivative of the Square Root...
163
01:26The Derivative as a Function
117
A derivative quantifies how a function changes in response to variations in its input. It provides a localized rate of change, representing the slope of the tangent line to the function at any given point. When this process is applied systematically across the entire domain of the function, it yields a new function—the derivative function—which encodes the rate of change at every point. This concept is central to calculus and essential for understanding the behavior of dynamic...
117