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Nanocomposites consisting of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and nano-aluminum nitride (AlN) were prepared using a simple vacuum-assisted filtration process. Bleached sugarcane bagasse pulp was treated with potassium hydroxide and sodium chlorite, and was subsequently ultra-finely ground and homogenized to obtain CNFs. Film nanocomposites were prepared by mixing CNFs with various AlN amounts (0–20 wt.%). X-ray diffraction revealed that the crystal form of CNF-AlN nanocomposites was different to those of pure CNFs and AlN. The mechanical performance and thermal stability of the CNF-AlN nanocomposites were evaluated through mechanical tests and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The results showed that the CNF-AlN nanocomposites exhibited excellent mechanical and thermal stability, and represented a green renewable substrate material. This type of nanocomposite could present great potential for replacing traditional polymer substrates, and could provide creative opportunities for designing and fabricating high-performance portable electronics in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet maize stems were treated with hot water and potassium hydroxide to fractionate hemicellulosic polymers. The results showed that the water-soluble hemicelluloses were mainly composed of glucose (27.83%), xylose (27.32%), and galactose (16.81%). In comparison, alkali-soluble hemicelluloses fractionated by acidification and a graded ethanol solution (10%, 20%, 35%, 50%, 65%, and 80%) were mainly composed of xylose (69.73 to 88.62%) and arabinose (5.41 to 16.20%). More highly branched hemicelluloses tended to be precipitated in a higher concentration of ethanol solution, as revealed by the decreasing xylose to arabinose ratio from 16.43 to 4.21. Structural characterizations indicated that alkali-soluble hemicelluloses fractionated from sweet maize stems were mainly arabinoxylans. The results provided fundamental information on hemicelluloses composition and structure and their potential utilization in the fields of biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To confirm the prospects for application of pre-corrected pH hydrothermal pretreatment in biorefineries, the effects of pH on the dissolution and degradation efficiency of carbohydrates were studied. The species composition of the hydrolysate was analyzed using high efficiency anion exchange chromatography and UV spectroscopy. The result showed that the greatest balance between the residual solid and total dissolved solids was obtained at pH 4 and 170 °C. Maximum recovery rates of cellulose and lignin were as expected, whereas hemicellulose had the least recovery rate. The hemicellulose extraction rate was 42.19%, and the oligomer form accounted for 93.39% of the product. The physicochemical properties of bamboo with or without pretreatment was characterized. Compared with the traditional hydrothermal pretreatment, the new pretreatment bamboo has higher fiber crystallinity and thermal stability. In the pretreatment process, the fracture of β-aryl ether bond was inhibited and the structural dissociation of lignin was reduced. The physicochemical properties of bamboo was protected while the hemicellulose was extracted efficiently. It provides theoretical support for the efficient utilization of all components of woody biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]