• Composites Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.150-154
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• 2024

In this study, nanofibrillated cellulose was extracted from soybean hulls - a by-product of soybeans - and compared with soybean hull nanofibrillated cellulose obtained by using other nanofibrillated methods. Dry soybean hulls were ground into prepare micrometer-sized powders, from which microcellulose was isolated using NaOH and HCl. The nanometer-sized cellulose was successfully extracted through ultrasonic dispersion and ball milling. The soybean hull nanofibrillated cellulose exhibited a diameter of 60-100 nm and a length of 0.3-1.0 ㎛, which matches the diameter of soybean nanofibrillated cellulose made by other nanofibrillated methods but is significantly shorter in length.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2017

In this review, we focus on one of the most attractive biomaterials, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). MFC, a type of nanocellulose, mainly originates from cellulose in lignocellulosic biomass. MFC represents one of incredible important natural resources due to its abundancy, renewability, and sustainability. MFC is produced through mechanical pretreatment, and it is composed of various sizes of microfibers, ranging from a few nanometers to a few micrometers. Because of the heterogenetic compositions of MFC, it possesses superior properties as a material, such as high surface area, high aspect ratio, and peculiar insolubility as a biomaterial. These properties allow MFC to be used in various bio-industries, from the traditional pulp industry to the high-tech food/bio/chemical/medical industries. However, it is difficult to use MFC on a commercial scale owing to the high energy input required during its production and the challenge of controlling its reactivity. Therefore, future studies should be focused on accurately characterizing MFC's surface morphologies, regulating its characteristics in a desirable direction, and standardizing proper guidelines for the analysis of surface morphologies its analysis.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.156-163
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• 2012

This research has been carried out to investigate the characteristics of cellulose nanofibers manufactured from domestic lignocellulosic materials by mechanical grinding method. The continuous grinding process was effective for loosening cell wall structure, with increasing grinding time, much smaller nanofibers were observed. Filtration time was linearly increased with increasing grinding time for all experimental materials. Relative crystallinity of cellulose was not changed by grinding process, but increased by delignification treatment. Tensile property of fiber sheets was drastically improved with increasing grinding time. Fibers sheets obtained from delignified cone stalks showed an excellent tensile strength. Consequently, it is considered that this study presented some effective information for manufacturing cellulose nanofibers with domestic plantation resources.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.257-261
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• 2005

The microbial cellulose is in a form of three dimensional net structures that consists of 20~50 nm fibrils. It possesses high crystallinity and orientation. It is difficult to synthesize large amount of fibrous carbon nanomaterials by the carbonization process using raw materials such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), regenerated cellulose (Rayon) and pitch. However, it seems possible thru the application of microbial cellulose as raw material. The application of such cellulose can be further extended to the synthesis of highly oriented graphite fiber. Out of three different cellulose-producing strains, G. xylinus ATCC11142 was chosen as it has the highest productivity (0.066 g dried cellulose/15 mL medium). Tar is often produced during the carbonization of cellulose that limits the formation fibrous structure of the carbonized sample. In order to solve such a problem, pre-studied purification methods of carbon nanotube such as liquid phase oxidation, gas phase oxidation and filtration associated with ultrasonication were applied at the carbonized cellulose. In that case. only by filtration associated with ultrasonication, improved the formation of fiber structure of the carbonized cellulose.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2023

Growing environmental concerns regarding pollution caused by conventional plastics have increased interest in biodegradable polymers as alternative materials. The purpose of this study is to develop a 100% biodegradable nanocomposite material by introducing organic nucleating agents into the biodegradable and thermoplastic resin, poly(lactic acid), to improve its properties. Accordingly, cellulose nanofibers, an eco-friendly material, were adopted as a substitute for inorganic nucleating agents. To achieve a uniform dispersion of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) within PLA, the aqueous solution of nanofibers was lyophilized to maintain their fibrous shape. Then, they were subjected to primary mixing using a twin-screw extruder. Test specimens with double mixing were then produced by injection molding. Differential scanning calorimetry was employed to confirm the reinforced physical properties, and it was found that the addition of 1 wt% CNFs acted as a reinforcing material and nucleating agent, reducing the cold crystallization temperature by approximately 14℃ and increasing the degree of crystallization. This study provides an environmentally friendly alternative for developing plastic materials with enhanced properties, which can contribute to a sustainable future without consuming inorganic nucleating agents. It serves as a basis for developing 100% biodegradable green nanocomposites.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.522-526
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• 2010

Bacterial cellulose is produced by the bacterium Gluconacetobacter xylinus, which forms a nanofibrous pellicle in its culture medium. We studied properties of the bacterial cellulose such as crystallinity, viscosity, morphology, and mechanical properties according to the carbon source. Static cultures of Gluconacetobacter sp. V6 were performed in three kinds of media: standard Hestrin-Schramm medium, and modified medium with either glycerol or molasses as carbon sources. Cell growth and cellulose yield were increased in the glycerol and molasses media. The culture in the glycerol medium improved the physical properties of cellulose such as crystallinity, intrinsic viscosity, and breaking stress. However, the culture in the molasses medium decreased crystallinity, crystallite size, and intrinsic viscosity of cellulose. In summary, the cellulose yield was remarkably improved in the molasses medium, but with inferior structural properties.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.1-8
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• 2023

Marine and hydraulic structures are subject to durability damage not only due to the penetration of sea water but also due to the attachment of marine organisms. Therefore, in this study, we tried to develop an antifouling coating agent with self-cleaning function for marine concrete. It was confirmed that the antifouling coating agent mixed with AKD, cellulose nanofibers and BADGE had sufficient antifouling performance at a well hydrophobicity of around 140° in contact angle and an inclination angle of 15°. In the abrasion resistance test of the surface, only a maximum loss of 0.015 g occurred. In the durability test, as a result of the chloride ion permeation test, almost no chloride ion permeation occurred in the variable where the coating agent was applied, and carbonation and freeze-thaw damage also rarely occurred, so it was analyzed that it was effective in securing durability of concrete.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.284-288
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• 2022

Polypropylene (PP) powder/cellulose nanofibers (CNF) 1 wt% slurry composites were prepared by filtering their suspension under reduced pressure and dried them in an oven followed by the use of a twin screw extruder. PP modified with side branches and polar groups was used. The side branches and polar groups were introduced into PP by using divinylbenzene and maleic anhydride (MAH), respectively. As a result of examining the dispersibility of CNF and the physical properties of the composite, it was confirmed that the composite prepared from PP powder/CNF 1 wt% slurry showed equal or higher levels in tensile and flexural strength as compared with those using the composite prepared from CNF powder.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2020

Sustainable plastics can be mainly categorized into (1) biodegradable plastics decomposed into water and carbon dioxide after use, and (2) biomass-derived plastics possessing the carbon neutrality by utilizing raw materials converted from atmospheric carbon dioxide to biomass. Recently, biomass-derived engineering plastics (EP) and natural nanofiber-reinforced nanocomposites are emerging as a new direction of the industry. In addition to the eco-friendliness of natural resources, these materials are competitive over petroleum-based plastics in the high value-added plastics market. Polyesters and polycarbonates synthesized from isosorbide and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, which are representative biomass-derived monomers, are at the forefront of industrialization due to their higher transparency, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and gas barrier properties. Moreover, isosorbide has potential to be applied to super EP material with continuous service temperature over 150 ℃. In situ polymerization utilizing surface hydrophilicity and multi-functionality of natural nanofibers such as nanocellulose and nanochitin achieves remarkable improvements of mechanical properties with the minimal dose of nanofillers. Biomass-derived tough-plastics covered in this review are expected to replace petroleum-based plastics by satisfying the carbon neutrality required by the environment, the high functionality by the consumer, and the accessibility by the industry.