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The interest in advanced photocatalytic technologies with metal oxide-based nanomaterials has been growing exponentially over the years due to their green and sustainable characteristics. Photocatalysis has been employed in several applications ranging from the degradation of pollutants to water splitting, CO2 and N2 reductions, and microorganism inactivation. However, to maintain its eco-friendly aspect, new solutions must be identified to ensure sustainability. One alternative is creating an enhanced photocatalytic paper by introducing cellulose-based materials to the process. Paper can participate as a substrate for the metal oxides, but it can also form composites or membranes, and it adds a valuable contribution as it is environmentally friendly, low-cost, flexible, recyclable, lightweight, and earth abundant. In term of photocatalysts, the use of metal oxides is widely spread, mostly since these materials display enhanced photocatalytic activities, allied to their chemical stability, non-toxicity, and earth abundance, despite being inexpensive and compatible with low-cost wet-chemical synthesis routes. This manuscript extensively reviews the recent developments of using photocatalytic papers with nanostructured metal oxides for environmental remediation. It focuses on titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) in the form of nanostructures or thin films. It discusses the main characteristics of metal oxides and correlates them to their photocatalytic activity. The role of cellulose-based materials on the systems’ photocatalytic performance is extensively discussed, and the future perspective for photocatalytic papers is highlighted.

This work aimed to study Microcin J25(G12Y) (MccJ25(G12Y)) sorption to fibrous and microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) films for setting up anti-E. coli materials. The Freundlich model showed the best fit for both films, suggesting a physisorption process, and similar affinity between the peptide and both cellulose-based matrices, which in turn appeared to be equally heterogeneous. Migration studies showed complete release of MccJ25(G12Y) from the fibrous film after contact with water; meanwhile, the MFC film retained some activity after the experiment. Contact with fatty simulant had no impact on antimicrobial activity of fibrous film, whilst MFC showed a small decrease in its activity. However, MccJ25(G12Y) was not detected in the fatty simulant after active films contact. Fibrous and MFC films remained fully active during storage (3 weeks at 30 °C). Finally, MccJ25(G12Y) activated fibrous film showed controlled release in conditions simulating critical steps in salami production. The results obtained suggest that fibrous and MFC films activated with MccJ25(G12Y) have a significant potential for their use as anti-E. coli materials in food settings. Fil: Koltan, Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química Biológica; Argentina Fil: Corbalan, Natalia Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química Biológica; Argentina Fil: Molina, Vanesa Magali. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; Argentina Fil: Elisei, Alejandra. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; Argentina Fil: de Titto, Guido Andrés. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; Argentina Fil: Eisenberg, Patricia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería Ambiental; Argentina Fil: Vincent, Paula Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química Biológica; Argentina Fil: Pomares, Maria Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química Biológica; Argentina Fil: Blanco Massani, Mariana Raquel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; Argentina

Nature has been producing cellulose since long before man walked the surface of the earth. Millions of years of natural design and testing have resulted in cellulose-based structures that are an inspiration for the production of synthetic materials based on cellulose with properties that can mimic natural designs, functions, and properties. Here, five sections describe cellulose-based materials with characteristics that are inspired by gratings that exist on the petals of the plants, structurally colored materials, helical filaments produced by plants, water-responsive materials in plants, and environmental stimuli-responsive tissues found in insects and plants. The synthetic cellulose-based materials described herein are in the form of fibers and films. Fascinating multifunctional materials are prepared from cellulose-based liquid crystals and from composite cellulosic materials that combine functionality with structural performance. Future and recent applications are outlined.