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Abstract This work explored the fluorescence properties of nano/cellulose isolated from bleached softwood kraft pulp by TEMPO oxidation. Fluorescence spectra showed that all samples exhibited a typical emission peak at 574 nm due to the probabilistic formation of unsaturated bonds by glycosidic bonds independent of lignin. Increasing the excitation wavelengths (510–530 nm) caused red shift of fluorescence emission peaks (570–585 nm) with unchanged fluorescence intensity. Conversely, changing acid/alkaline conditions led to an increase of fluorescence intensity with no shifting of fluorescence emission peak. This can be attributed to an increase in the polarity of the solution environment but does not cause interaction of functional groups within the system identified by generalized two-dimensional correlation fluorescence spectroscopy. This study provides new insight in applying nano/cellulose with special luminous characteristics in biomedicine area such as multi-color biological imaging and chemical sensing.

As a new type of energy harvesting device, the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy effectively. Paper-based materials have gained considerable attention for use in flexible energy harvesting device applications because of their flexibility, environmental friendliness (i.e., they are biodegradable and renewable), and foldability. This work proposes a strategy to use cellulose fibers layer as a spacer of paper-based triboelectric nanogenerator (P-TENG). The P-TENG consists of a three-layer fiber material and a copper electrode. The three-layer fiber material comprises nylon, cellulose, and polypropylene, where the cellulose fiber layer contains millimeter-sized holes and is used as a spacer. Because of its attractive cuttability and flexibility properties, the P-TENG can be applied on a large scale in complex environments (e.g., sports fields, driving training fields) to detect signal changes caused by external pressure This type of device has great potential for application to the large-scale TENG field and may provide a new solution for TENG industrialization.

Zinc-air batteries with high theoretical energy density have gained tremendous research interest as one of the candidate energy storage devices for flexible and portable electronic devices. Improving the performance of solid-state batteries (such as work stability, service life, etc.) has become a significant problem at present, and the choice of the ideal flexible solid electrolyte material as a “bridge” plays a vital role in flexible batteries. In this work, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based cellulose composite hydrogel electrolyte (HGE) was synthesized by carboxyl modified nanocellulose (C-CNFs), and the optimum adding amount of C-CNFs was screened. The PVA-based cellulose composite HGE had excellent environmental stability and high ion migration efficiency. After standing and full exposure for 48 h at room temperature, the mass loss was only 21.4%, and the initial ion conductivity reaches 3.12 × 10−1S·cm−1. In addition, the composite HGE had a specific improvement in thermal stability and tensile mechanical properties. The assembled flexible zinc-air battery (F-ZAB) showed excellent cycle life and discharge capacity. What's more, the F-ZAB can work continuously and stably at a bending angle of 180° with high flexibility and safety.

In the present study, carboxymethyl cellulose nanofibrils (CMCNFs) with different carboxyl content (0.99–2.01 mmol/g) were prepared via controlling the ratio of monochloroacetic acid (MCA) and sodium hydroxide to Eucalyptus bleached pulp (EBP). CMCFs-PEI aerogels were obtained using the crosslinking reaction of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and CMCNFs with the aid of glutaraldehyde (GA). The effects of pH, contact time, temperature, and initial Cu2+ concentration on the Cu2+ removal performance of CMCNFs-PEI aerogels was highlighted. Experimental data showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of CMCNF30-PEI for Cu2+ was 380.03 ± 23 mg/g, and the adsorption results were consistent with Langmuir isotherm (R2 > 0.99). The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity was 616.48 mg/g. After being treated with 0.05 M EDTA solution, the aerogel retained an 85% removal performance after three adsorption–desorption cycles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results demonstrated that complexation was the main Cu2+ adsorption mechanism. The excellent Cu2+ adsorption capacity of CMCNFs-PEI aerogels provided another avenue for the utilization of cellulose nanofibrils in the wastewater treatment field.

An economical and efficient method is developed for preparing flexible cathodes. In this work, a dense mesoporous Co3O4 layer was first hydrothermally grown in situ on the surface of chopped carbon fibers (CFs), and then carbon fiber paper (Co3O4/CP) was prepared by a wet papermaking process as a flexible zinc-air battery (ZAB). The high-performance air cathode utilizes the high specific surface area of a single chopped carbon fiber, which is conducive to the deposition and adhesion of the Co3O4 layer. Through the wet papermaking process, Co3O4/CP has ultra-thin, high mechanical stability and excellent electrical conductivity. In addition, the assembled ZAB exhibits relatively excellent electrochemical performance, with a continuous cycle of more than 180 times at a current density of 2 mA·cm−2. The zinc-air battery can maintain a close fit and work stably and efficiently even under high bending conditions. This process of combining single carbon fibers to prepare ultra-thin, high-density, high-conductivity carbon fiber paper through a papermaking process has huge application potential in the field of flexible wearables.