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One kind of PVA/PAA-based alkaline solid polyelectrolyte (ASPE) membrane with high conductivity and good mechanical property was prepared via the introduction of the micro-crystalline cellulose (MCC) as functional fillers. An ion conductivity of 95 mS cm−1 with high alkali resistance was achieved when the MCC content reached up to 5wt%, which is 4.5-fold higher than the control. SEM image showed a denser pore structure that is beneficial for the OH− conduction after MCC addition. X-ray diffraction further indicated a gradually decreased crystallinity of KOH with the addition of MCC. This means more content of KOH would exist in the ionic form in the remained water caused by the added MCC in the system. This leads to the increased content of OH− and the resulting ion conductivity. The window equals to 0.9 V and improved mechanical properties were observed after a 5wt% content of MCC was added in the ASPE membrane system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we propose a convenient method for testing the fibrillation tendency of man-made cellulosic fibres (MMCFs) and investigate the possibility to apply a commercial crosslinker for Tencel fibres on the ionic liquid-based regenerated cellulosic fibre (Ioncell fibre). The fibrillation tendency of various MMCFs including viscose, Modal, Tencel and Ioncell fibres were examined through wet abrasion by using ball bearing and blending methods. The fibrillation tests using a laboratory blender was found to be a superior method over the ball bearing method in terms of time and energy saving. The fibrillation tendency of the fibres highly depended on their cellulose molecular orientation and the treatment intensity (time, temperature and alkalinity) in the blender. This fibrillation method was also applied to discover the effect of the crosslinking on the fibrillation tendency of the fibres. The Ioncell fibre proved to be suitable for crosslinking treatment to reduce fibrillation using 1,3,5-triacryloyl-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (TAHT)—a commercial Tencel crosslinker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a type of alkaline solid polyelectrolyte (ASPE) membrane was developed via the introduction of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and its modified product (QMCC) into the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. In this process, green NaOH/urea-based solvent was used to achieve a good dispersion of MCC in the PVA matrix; meanwhile, the OH− groups in the NaOH/urea-based solvent provided an alkaline environment for good ion conductivity. Compared to the MCC-incorporated ASPE, further improved conductivity was achieved when the MCC was modified with quantitative quaternary ammonium salt. TGA showed that the addition of QMCC improved the water retention of the matrix, which was beneficial to the OH− conduction in the system. Compared to the control (50 mS cm−1), a maximum conductivity of 238 mS cm−1 was obtained after the incorporation of QMCC in the PVA matrix. Moreover, the tensile strength of the polymer electrolyte were also significantly increased with the addition of QMCC. Finally, this developed ASPE membrane was used in assembling a flexible Zn–air battery and showed a promising potential in the development of flexible electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]