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Background. The skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is a devastating form of skin cancer triggered by genetic and environmental factors, and the incidence of SKCM has rapidly increased in recent years. Immune infiltration of the tumor microenvironment is positively associated with overall survival in many tumors. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is a transmembrane receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily and a crucial signaling hub for multiple pathological pathways that mediate immunity. Although numerous evidences suggest a crucial role for TREM2 in tumorigenesis of some tumors, no systematic SKCM analysis of TREM2 is available. Mehods. The relationship between TREM2 expression and diagnostic and prognostic value of SKCM patients via using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. The expression level of TREM2 and clinical characteristic correlation in SKCM patients were assessed by the Wilcoxon rank sum test. The cox regression methods, Kaplan-Meier (KM), and log-rank test were used to assess the impact of TREM2 expression on the overall survival (OS). Furthermore, the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and TIMER were performed to evaluate the enrichment pathways and potential functions and quantify the immune cell infiltration level for TREM2 expression. Results. The TREM2 in SKCM sample expression levels was significantly higher than in normal tissues. Moreover, this expression level of TREM2 was also associated with the BMI of SKCM patients. KM overall survival analysis and OS curve displayed that a high-level TREM2 expression was significantly correlated with a better SKCM prognosis of patients as compared with a low level of TREM2 expression. The GSEA analysis also revealed that TREM2 was associated with immune functions, such as neutrophil activation. Conclusion. TREM2 played a crucial role in SKCM, which might be a prognostic biomarker and correlated with immune infifiltrates in SKCM patients.

In this study, we have creatively designed photoanode and counter electrodes materials with blueberries as the key performance improvement, and verified the contribution of blueberry to the photoelectric conversion performance of DSSCs.

The cellulose-based polydopamine modified separator (LID-PDA) and polydopamine/graphene/polypyrrole modified electrode (LID-PDA-GR/PPy) were successfully fabricated by dissolving-regenerating and phase-inversion methods via dopamine polymerization and doping modification of graphene (GR) and polypyrrole (PPy) in a lithium chloride/

The biomass-based inter-transmission network architecture is expected to act on all-solid-state supercapacitors (ASSSCs) by building excellent conductive paths and achieving high ionic conductivity to promote their development as future electronic devices. Here, biomass-derived hybrid organogel electrodes constructed by incorporating polyaniline (PANI) into cellulose/dealkaline lignin (C/DL) film architectures exhibit an impressive specific capacitance (582 F g

In this study, two kinds of form-stable multifunctional materials with thermal and electrical response (FPCMs: DP-E7U3-CNT, DP-E7T3-CNT) are composed of wood-based honeycomb-like celluloses micro-framework (DP), carbon nanotubes (CNT), erythritol-urea (E7U3) or erythritol-thiourea (E7T3). In FPCMs, DP acts as a skeleton structure to seal E7U3 and E7T3 and provide more pathways for heat conduction. The CNT acts as an extended surface to further improve thermal conductivity. FE-SEM showed that the honeycomb-like pore structure of DP was completely filled with E7U3, E7T3 and CNT. FTIR and XRD analysis show that there is only a combination of physical interactions between the components of FPCMs. DSC curves and thermal conductivity analysis results show that DP-E7U3-1.5CNT and DP-E7T3-1.5CNT with the mass fraction of carbon nanotubes (1.5 wt%) have the highest latent heat values (230.3 J/g, 272.2 J/g) and thermal conductivity (0.9832 W/(m·K), 0.9363 W/(m·K)). Both DP-E7U3-1.5CNT and DP-E7T3-1.5CNT exhibit high latent heat retention and thermal stability after 100 heating-cooling cycles. In addition, DP-E7U3-1.5CNT and DP-E7T3-1.5CNT show excellent performance in light-heat energy conversion-storage, actual latent heat storage and release, thermal and electrical response performance, which make it has great potential to be multifunctional materials with thermal storage sand electrical response.

The excellent shape-stabilized composite phase change material (PCM) with high phase change enthalpy plays a very important role in thermal energy storage and solar energy utilization. In this work, different proportions of erythritol-urea (E-U) and erythritol-thiourea (E-T) incorporated into the cellulose skeleton retention of paulownia chip (DPW) have been conducted to obtain biomass-based PCMs (EU-DPW, ET-DPW). The SEM analysis results show that DPW has a rich honeycomb pore structure, which can achieve high loading of erythritol-urea and erythritol-thiourea. The E7U3-DPW and E7T3-DPW composite materials obtained at the optimal ratio of E-U and E-T show high phase change enthalpies of 232.2 J/g and 273.3 J/g. The higher phase change enthalpy of E7T3-DPW is due to the higher phase change energy storage performance of E7T3 compound itself, the better compatibility between E7T3 and DPW, and the higher loading capacity of E7T3 in DPW. In addition, high light-to-heat conversion efficiency is considered to be a key factor for converting light energy into heat energy to realize energy storage applications. E7U3-DPW and E7T3-DPW can provide excellent light-thermal conversion efficiencies of 72.6% and 75.8%, respectively. E7U3-DPW and E7T3-DPW show good antibacterial properties against E. coli and S. aureus. After 100 heating–cooling cycles, the DSC curves and phase transition enthalpies of E7U3-DPW and E7T3-DPW remained almost unchanged, maintaining good thermophysical properties, and the structure of characteristic functional groups remained almost unchanged, maintaining good chemical stability, which shows great potential in medium-temperature solar energy and thermal energy harvesting in the field of antibacterial and thermal insulation.

A simple and feasible method was adopted to construct the antibacterial and pH response of cationic guar gum (CGG) composite films (CGG-HEC, RC) through using hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) as an enhancer and red cabbage (RC) as a smart active substance. The effect of different HEC content on the binary composite films (CGG-HEC) performance shows that the highest tensile strength (51.59 MPa) can be obtained by adding 10% HEC due to the good compatibility between CGG and HEC. The ternary composite film (RC3) with 10% HEC and 3% RC addition has good performance in all aspects, such as high tensile strength (65.41 MPa), appropriate water vapor transmission coefficient (1.08), and good thermodynamic stability. In addition, RC3 has good antibacterial properties against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, taking advantage of the antibacterial properties of CGG and RC. RC3 can respond to changes in environmental pH and has a significant color change, and also has a significant color change when detecting the deterioration of pork and soy milk. Therefore, the ternary composite film (RC3) has good mechanical properties, antibacterial and intelligent response characteristics, and may be used in intelligent antibacterial packaging.

75% of our external information comes from vision, in signage and wayfinding system, characters and graphics have become the most important factor of information cognition. As the main characters in China's signage and wayfinding system, simplified Chinese characters affect the rapid and accurate cognition of information. At present, most of the cognitive research on simplified Chinese characters are learned from the data of Japan and Taiwan. Compared with Latin alphabets, Japanese and Chinese characters are much similar, but there are still significant differences between them. Japanese is a combination of Chinese characters and Kanas, the fonts and the layout of characters are very different. The traditional Chinese characters used in Taiwan are much more complicated than the simplified ones used in mainland China. In order to obtain the data that can really guide the standards of signage design in China, this research carried out a series of experimental studies on simplified Chinese characters’ recognition. Under the condition of fixed font, font weight, color, similar stroke number and character frequency range, the experiment obtained the data of characters’ height and recognition distance by changing characters’ height and recording the corresponding visual recognition reaction time. Then, based on the method of regression analysis, the relationship between the two variables of character height and recognition distance is calculated and visualized. Through indoor simulation and supplementary experiments, the data and conclusions could guide or verify the existing ergonomics data and signage design standard. The research outcome shows the relationship between simplified Chinese character height and cognition distance of on public signage system, which provides a theoretical basis for the related research and design. The results also revealed that with the use of Sans Serif typeface，the minimum of character height in the current design standard can be further increased. This research is still in early stage, in addition to the character height, the influence of stroke number, thickness and background colour contrast of characters still need to be further studied.

In this study, the regenerated porous cellulose films were properly prepared by dissolving different masses of cellulose (4%, 6%, 8%) in LiCl/DMAc solvent though a simple phase inversion process and as separator (CLD-4, CLD-6, CLD-8) for the assembled supercapacitors (ABSC-4, ABSC-6, ABSC-8). The investigation on the different masses of cellulose indicated that CLD-8 film showed a stronger hydrogen bond interaction, higher thermal stability and better tensile strength. In addition, CLD-8 has good lyophilicity (101.1°), high porosity (58.43%), and electrolyte absorption (329.30%). Furthermore, different cellulose films as separator were used for assembling supercapacitor. Compared with ABSC-4 and ABSC-6, ABSC-8 showed a lower equivalent series resistance of 0.37Ω, a higher charge-discharge efficiency of 98.87% at 1 A/g, and areal capacitance of 1.16 F/cm2 at 5 mV/s. ABSC-8 also showed a superior capacity retention of 92.09% over 4000 cycles at 1 A/g. So, CLD-8 film has a potential to be used as separator for supercapacitor. Furthermore, the comparative analysis of supercapacitors assembled by CLD-8 separator and two commercial separators were conducted. The results show that ABSC-8 showed a higher value of 25.94 Wh/kg at 0.5 A/g with a powder density of 0.36 kW/kg, a lower voltage drops below 0.02 V at 1.0, and 3.0 A/g, a higher specific capacitance of 123 F/g at 0.5 A/g. Moreover, ABSC-8 maintained their quasi-rectangular and symmetrical triangular profiles of the CV and GCD curves in 0–1 and 0–1.5 V, respectively, suggesting the applicability of a wide working potential window. These results provide insights into the full use of natural and biodegradable cellulose film prepared by a simple phase inversion as separators for supercapacitors.

In this study, the regenerated porous cellulose film (LD) was properly prepared by dissolving cellulose in a LiCl/DMAc solvent though a simple phase inversion method. LD has a porous structure, good mechanical properties and great thermal stability. In order to form a shape-stabilized reversible thermochromic phase change film (DTLD), a reversible thermochromic compound (DTBC) was added into the LD by simple vacuum impregnation. The effect of the weight ratio of 1-dodecanol/tetradecanol complex solvent (3 : 7, 2 : 8, 1.5 : 8.5 and 1 : 9) on the phase change properties was investigated. DTLD (1.5 : 8.5) showed the highest latent heat storage of 174.00 J g−1 with the suitable phase change temperature at 37.5 °C. The low thermal conductivity of DTLD (1.5 : 8.5) at 10 °C (50 °C) was 0.396 ± 0.004 W m−1 K−1 (0.408 ± 0.002 W m−1 K−1). The color of DTLD (1.5 : 8.5) can change reversibly between colorless and blue as temperature changes. Melting–cooling tests after 100 cycles indicated that DTLD (1.5 : 8.5) has a high latent heat storage capacity of 169.65 J g−1. A shape-stable reversible thermochromic phase change composite assembled from a regenerated porous cellulose membrane as a support matrix is expected to be applied to the field of thermal energy storage.

The collection, storage, and use of energy and information are important issues for overcoming the global energy shortage while satisfying the demand for information transmission. This research reports a nano-Fe3O4 and erythritol (ER)-functionalized, cross-linked methyl cellulose aerogel (MC-EP) composite that has the characteristics of phase-change energy storage as the magnetic and ultraviolet responses requisite for light-to-heat conversion and storage. The nano-Fe3O4 particles in MC-EP-ER-75 were fixed and filled into pore structures in MC-EP. ER was used to form an effective combination with MC-EP. The addition of nano-Fe3O4 compensated for the low thermal conductivity of ER. The MC-EP-ER-75 was able to store solar radiation-induced energy due to the loading of ER at a photothermal conversion efficiency of 79.67% and a light-to-heat conversion efficiency of 79.67%. The results of thermal stability (TGA) analysis showed that MC-EP-ER-75 was thermally degraded acceptably below 200 °C. The differential scanning calorimetry curve and latent heat values (melting/crystallization enthalpies of 314.8 and 197.9 J/g, respectively) of MC-EP-ER-75 did not change after 100 cycles. In addition, it exhibited excellent saturation magnetization, super-paramagnetism, and ultraviolet shielding, as well as a rapid response to the ultraviolet and magnetic fields. This provided a way to prepare light-to-heat conversion-storage-release materials and ultraviolet-magnetic sensors that can be used in renewable resources.

Knowledge about the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of Talaromyces marneffei infection in children is limited, especially in HIV-positive children. We performed a retrospective study of all HIV-positive pediatric inpatients with T. marneffei infection in a tertiary hospital in Southern China between 2014 and 2019 and analyzed the related risk factors of poor prognosis using logistic regression. Overall, 28 cases were enrolled and the prevalence of talaromycosis in AIDS children was 15.3% (28/183). The median age of the onset was 8 years (range: 1-14 years). The typical manifestation of skin lesion with central umbilication was not common (21.4%). All the children had very low CD4

The development of high-performance shape-stable phase change material composites (SPCMs) with high phase change enthalpy and high conversion efficiency, especially with good photochromic properties, is essential for thermal energy storage. Here, we report that one type of SPCMs with both photochromic and phase change energy storage is obtained by incorporating organic binary composite PCMs (hexadecanol/coconut oil, H/C) and photochromic phosphotungstic acid (PA) into Ochroma pyramidale wood-based cellulose microframe (DOW) through simple vacuum impregnation. When the ratio of hexadecanol to coconut oil is 3:7 and the ratio of phosphotungstic acid to N,N-dimethylacetamide is 4:13.6, the SPCM composite material (DOW-H3C7-4PA) represents a high phase transition enthalpy of 163.7 J/g and an appropriate phase transition temperature of 42.55 °C that can be applied to the environmental temperature adjustment of high-temperature areas (>40 °C) mentioned in this paper, in addition to the excellent thermal stability and photochromic stability; for example, even after 100 thermal cycles and UV radiation cycles, its phase transition enthalpy remains almost unchanged. The DOW-H3C7-4PA composite material also shows good shape stability and leakage resistance. In addition, the high photothermal conversion efficiency (65.71%) of DOW-H3C7-4PA is considered to be a promising candidate for photothermal energy storage applications. Therefore, the manufactured SPCMs (DOW-H3C7-4PA) have high latent heat, good melting/freezing cycle reliability, high photochromic stability, and remarkable light-to-heat energy conversion ability, making them show broad application prospects in energy conversion and storage devices.

Cationized rice husk cellulose (CRHC) were designed and synthesized by introducing hydroxypropyloctadecyldimethylammonium group onto rice husk cellulose (RHC) molecular structure. Structure and morphology of samples were characterized by FTIR, XRD and SEM. The characterization results showed that the molecular structure and morphology of RHC have changed and the quaternary ammonium group was successfully grafted onto the RHC molecular structure. Adsorption studies were conducted to evaluate the adsorption performance and related mechanism of Diamine Green B (DG-B), Acid Black 24 (AB-24) and Congo Red (CR) onto CRHC. The adsorption process was well described by Pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity of DG-B, AB-24 and CR on the CRHC was found to be 207.15, 268.88 and 580.09 mg g−1 at 303.15 K, respectively. The possible adsorption mechanism might be due to the combination of molecular structure characteristics of adsorbents and adsorbates, electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and the competition of OH– ions. CRHC has a good reusability and high adsorption performance for dye removal. The thermodynamic parameters indicated the adsorption process is a spontaneous and feasible purification process, increasing the temperature is conducive to the adsorption process.

Cellulose from bamboo shavings (BC) separated and modified by grafting triphenylphosphine, which was used as an adsorbent for the removal of Acid Black 24 from aqueous solution. The quaternary phosphonium-based bamboo cellulose (PBC) was characterized by FTIR and SEM measurements. The FTIR studies showed that the quaternary phosphonium group was successfully grafted onto the BC molecular structure. The effects of PBC dosage, contact time, initial dye concentration, temperature, and pH on the adsorption performance were studied. The nonlinear fitting kinetics and isotherms models were also conducted. The pseudo-second-order, intra-particle diffusion and Langmuir models were more suitable for analyzing the adsorption behavior of PBC for Acid Black 24 dye. The adsorption activation energy was lower than 40 kJ mol−1, and the ΔH0 value was in the range of 20~80 kJ mol−1, indicating that PBC played a dominant role in the physical purification of dye. The results of thermodynamic analysis indicated that the adsorption was a spontaneous endothermic purification process. Adsorbents had a good reusability and high adsorption performance for dye removal. The adsorbents PBC had a good reusability and could effectively remove residual Acid Black 24 dye with good development prospects in the field of biomass adsorbent materials.

The development of a biodegradable cellulose-based separator with excellent performance has been of great research significance and application potential for the green development of supercapacitors. Herein, the regenerated porous cellulose/Polyvinyl alcohol films (CP-10, CP-15, CP-20, CP-25) with different mass ratio were successfully fabricated by a simple blending and phase inversion process. Their electrochemical properties as separators in assembled supercapacitor were evaluated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction analysis indicate that intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonding existed between cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol of the CP films. Compared with other CP films, the CP-20 film shows higher mechanical strength (28.02 MPa), better wettability (79.06°), higher porosity (59.69%) and electrolyte uptake (281.26 wt%). These properties of CP-20 are expected to show better electrochemical performance as separator. Indeed, the electrochemical tests, including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge discharge, demonstrate that the SC-20 capacitor (with CP-20 as separator) shows the lowest equivalent series resistance of 0.57 Ω, the highest areal capacitance of 1.98 F cm−2 at 10 mV s−1, specific capacitance of 134.41 F g−1 and charge-discharge efficiency of 98.62% at 1 A g−1 among the four capacitors with CP films as separators. Comparing the assembled SC-40 and SC-30 with two commercial separators (TF4040 and MPF30AC) and SC-PVA with Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) separator, the CV and GCD curves of SC-20 maintain the quasi rectangular and symmetrical triangular profiles respectively at different scan rates in potential window of 0–1 V. SC-20 exhibits the highest value of 28.24 Wh kg−1 at 0.5 A g−1 with a power density of 0.26 kW kg−1, and 13.41 Wh kg−1 at 10 A g−1 with a power density of 6.04 kW kg−1. SC-20 also shows the lowest voltage drop and the highest areal and specific capacitance. Moreover, SC-20 maintains the highest value of 86.81% after 4000 cycles compared to 21.18% of SC-40, 75.07% of SC-30, and 6.66% of SC-PVA, showing a superior rate capability of a supercapacitor. These results indicate that CP films can be served as promising separators for supercapacitors.

In this study, the regenerated porous cellulose film (LD) was properly prepared by dissolving cellulose in a LiCl/DMAc solvent though a simple phase inversion method. LD has a porous structure, good mechanical properties and great thermal stability. In order to form a shape-stabilized reversible thermochromic phase change film (DTLD), a reversible thermochromic compound (DTBC) was added into the LD by simple vacuum impregnation. The effect of the weight ratio of 1-dodecanol/tetradecanol complex solvent (3 : 7, 2 : 8, 1.5 : 8.5 and 1 : 9) on the phase change properties was investigated. DTLD (1.5 : 8.5) showed the highest latent heat storage of 174.00 J g

In this study, blends of N-(2-hydroxyl) propyl-3-trimethylammonium chitosan chloride (HTCC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were prepared by the solution-casting method to develop films. The blend films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and light-transmission measurements. The results revealed that in the blend films, HTCC, PVA, and CMC interacted by hydrogen bonding and were partly miscible. The effects of varying amounts of CMC on the mechanical properties, water absorption, swelling properties, and moisture permeability of HTCC/PVA blend films were also examined. Improved strength and flexibility of the blend films were observed with the inclusion of CMC. Moreover, the incorporation of CMC resulted in enhanced water absorption capacity, improved swelling ratio, and appropriate moisture permeability. Furthermore, all the ternary blend films showed good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcal aureus . Sponges of HTCC/PVA/CMC blend films with these properties have the potential to be used as biomaterials in medical applications.

The physical and antioxidant properties of soy protein isolate (SPI) films were investigated incorporated with chestnut bur extract (CBE) at different levels, 20 g/kg, 50 g/kg, 80 g/kg, and 100 g/kg (based on SPI content). Increased protection against UV light and oxygen barriers were observed in the SPI films containing CBE. The antioxidant properties of SPI films were improved with the addition of CBE as determined by 2, 2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activities. The tensile strength of SPI/CBE film reached the maximum value of 2.1 ± 0.1 MPa when 80 g/kg CBE was added. Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated that the addition of CBE influenced the SPI film mechanical properties by changing the distribution of secondary protein structures in the films. The cross-section of the SPI/CBE films viewed using scanning electron microscopy became more compact as the CBE level increased. These results suggest that SPI/CBE film is an ideal choice for food packaging and preservation.

Cellulose from flax noil (CFN) that was separated and modified by grafting quaternary ammonium salt was used as an adsorbent for the removal of amoxicillin (AMX) from aqueous solution. The prepared adsorbent (QCFN) was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, XPS, XRD measurements, and SEM. Adsorption studies were conducted by varying solution pH, contact time, and adsorbent dosages. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms were fitted to different nonlinear models. FTIR, XPS, and XRD studies confirmed that after functionalization, the quaternary ammonium group had been successfully attached to CFN molecules. SEM images show that QCFN had a coarse surface. The adsorption capacity increased with the increase in pH, and the maximum adsorption capacity reached 183.14 mg/g. The behavior of AMX adsorption onto the adsorbent closely fits the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, intraparticle-diffusion model, and Langmuir isotherm. The activation energy of 42.25 kJ/mol implied that the AMX adsorption is chemically controlled process. The positive value of Δ H 0 (24.9 kJ/mol) and negative value of Δ G 0 (−4.26, −5.11, −6.19 kJ/mol) showed that adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous. QCFN was proven to be a promising and efficient adsorbent for the removal of AMX from aqueous solution.

Blend films from poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) containing N -(2-hydroxy) propyl-3-trimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HTCC) were prepared via a simple mixing and casting method. The films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and ultraviolet-visible measurements (UV–vis). The effects of HTCC amount on mechanical properties, oxygen permeability, water vapor permeation, and antibacterial properties against Gram-negative ( Escherichia coli ) and Gram-positive ( Staphylococcus aureus ) of the films were investigated. FTIR and XRD analysis show that HTCC and PVA in the blend films interacted by hydrogen bonding. SEM and UV–vis analysis reveal the good compatibility between HTCC and PVA. Compared with pure PVA film, the blend films had greater elongation at break, lower water permeability, and higher antibacterial activity. The HTCC addition decreased the tensile strength and the light transmittance. The results suggest that HTCC/PVA blend films have a potential as packaging materials.

Cationic and anionic forms of cellulose were synthesized by introducing quaternary ammonium groups and carboxyl groups, respectively, to the skeleton of cellulose from flax noil. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to explore the removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP) from aqueous solution using the cationic and anionic cellulose (cationic flax noil cellulose (CCFN) and anionic flax noil cellulose (ACFN)) obtained as adsorbents. The adsorbents were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), XRD measurements, and SEM. The effects of various parameters including adsorbent dose, contact time, pH, and temperature on the adsorption performance were investigated. The adsorption data were analyzed using non-linear kinetics and isotherms models. FTIR, XPS, and XRD studies confirmed that the cationic and anionic groups had been successfully bound to the cellulose molecules after functionalization. SEM images showed that the surface morphology changed substantially after m...

The aim of this study was to develop films based on tara gum (TG). Oleic acid (OA) was added to the films to improve their water resistance. The effect of OA concentration (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, w/w, TG basis) on the color, opacity, moisture content, water vapor permeability (WVP), mechanical properties, and thermal properties of the TG based films were examined. The chemical structure and surface morphologies of the TG/OA films were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results show no obvious interaction between TG and OA in the films, as well as the formation of more pores in films with higher OA content. Addition of OA caused the films to take on a yellow hue in preference to white and decreased the water content and WVP. The contact angle increased from 76.75° to 107.28°, but the tensile strength decreased from 57.4 to 26.8 MPa. In contrast, the thermal stability increased. The main conclusion of this study is that addition of OA significantly improved the hydrophobicity of TG-based films. This study provides a novel means of decreasing the sensitivity of these films to water. Therefore, TG/OA films may hold promise as material for biopolymer packaging.

Quaternized cellulose (YM) was homogeneously synthesized by grafting 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyldodecyldimethylammonium groups onto cellulose molecules in a NaOH/urea aqueous solution. YM was blended with a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix to prepare composite films via co-regeneration from the alkaline solution. The PVA film and the blend films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical properties, water vapor barrier properties, light transmission, and antibacterial activity against Gram-positive ( Staphylococcus aureus ) and Gram-negative ( Escherichia coli ) bacteria were also evaluated. The results reveal that PVA and YM in the composite films interacted by hydrogen bonding. Compared with pure PVA film, the PVA/YM blend films had higher tensile strength, higher thermostability, lower water permeability, and especially, higher antibacterial activity. The blend films exhibited good UV-shielding performance. Our study demonstrates a simple and efficient method for preparing a functional, environment-friendly composite film.

Antibacterial property of packaging is needed to improve the microbiological safety of foods. The aim of this work was to incorporate various amounts of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) into films based on quaternized chitosan (2-N-Hydroxypropyl-3-trimethylammonium chloride chitosan, HTCC) to develop coating for preserving food. The HTCC film and blend films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of CMC content on the physical properties and antibacterial activities of the blend films were investigated. The effect of coating bananas with the films on their preservation was also determined. The results revealed that HTCC and CMC in the blend films interacted by hydrogen bonding. Both of them could be partly miscible. Compared with HTCC100 film, CMC incorporation improved tensile strength, thermostability, and water resistance, however, increased oxygen permeability, and decreased light transmittance and antibacterial activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. Bananas coated with the HTCC/CMC blend films had longer shelf life than uncoated bananas. CMC incorporation thus evidently reinforced the HTCC film and lowered its WVP. These results suggest that HTCC/CMC blend films can be used as food packaging materials.

In this study, the porous bamboo material (DB) was obtained by removing the intercalated substance between the fibers through a simple delignification process, and was used as support matrix by impregnating a reversible thermochromic compound (BP: BPA: TD) to prepare a shape-stable bamboo-based composite reversible thermochromic phase change material (TBB-DB). Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of bamboo and DB showed that lignin was removed from bamboo by the delignification process. The open porous structure founded in scanning electron microscopy micrographs allows the rapid impregnation of TBB to achieve reversible thermochromic and phase change storage properties. The reduction in surface roughness and contact angle leads to an increase in the hydrophilicity of the DB for the subsequent impregnation of the TBB into the porous structure of DB. DB also showed good mechanical properties and thermodynamic stability. The effects of different proportions of the color developer and the solvent in the compound TBB on the reversible thermochromic and phase change energy storage properties of TBB-DB were investigated. TBB-DB1:4:50 showed a better reversible thermochromic properties and energy storage properties (the highest latent heat, favorable melting and crystallization temperatures). As for TBB-DB1:4:50, the FTIR, XRD, thermal stability analysis showed that there is no chemical reaction occurred during the entire impregnation process, which is conductive to the reversible thermochromic phase change energy storage characteristics of TBB-DB1:4:50. The color of TBB-DB1:4:50 changed from rose red to white as the temperature increased. Compared with DB, TBB-DB1:4:50 showed endothermic and exothermic peaks, and its ΔHm and ΔHL+S were 113.5 J g−1 and 109.8 J g−1, respectively, indicating that TBB1:4:50 was well impregnated into DB to form a composite phase change material. TBB-DB1:4:50 also has good durability, making it able to withstand long-term recycling and maintain the original excellent performance.

The transparent and renewable porous cellulose separators (ACR-3, ACR-5, ACR-7, ACR-9) with different concentration of cellulose solution (3 wt%, 5 wt%, 7 wt%, 9 wt%) were prepared via a phase-inversion process with 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AMIM-Cl) as the solvent. Cellulose separators displayed high thermal stability, strong mechanical properties and excellent apparent properties. ACR-7 separator showed a higher porosity of 74.90% and electrolyte uptake of 323.68% with a smaller pore size and a more uniform pore structure compared with the other cellulose separators. The assembled supercapacitors (electrode/separator/electrode, SCD-7) showed good electrochemical performances in many aspects, including a lower equivalent series resistance of 0.5Ω, a higher charge-discharge efficiency of 98.58% at 3 A/g and areal capacitance of 1.15 F cm−2 at 5 mV/s than the SCD-3, SCD-5, SCD-9 and the assembled SCDs with two commercial separators (TF4040 for SCD-40 and MPF30AC for SCD-30). SCD-7 showed a high retention of 81.99% after 4000 charge-discharge tests at 1 A/g, showing a good charge-discharge cycle stability. Compared with SCD-40 and SCD-30, SCD-7 showed a lower voltage drop below 0.03 V, a higher specific capacitance of 130 F/g, energy density of 25.94 Wh/kg and power density of 0.36 kW/kg at 0.5 A/g. Overall, ACR-7 is expected to be applied as a separator in the field of supercapacitors.

In this work, chemically modified carboxymethyl cellulose/Fe3O4 particles (MCMC/Fe3O4) with hydrazine were prepared and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometer. Batch adsorption experiments were performed to remove Reactive Blue 21 (RB 21) from aqueous solution. Various parameters such as pH, initial dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and temperature had been studied. Kinetic studies showed that the dye adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium data were well described by Langmuir and Dubinin–Radushkevich model. Furthermore, the thermodynamic parameters (positive values of ΔH° and ΔS°, negative values of ΔG°) revealed the feasibility, spontaneity, and endothermic nature of the adsorption.

Chitosan/poly(amidoamine) (MCS/PAMAM) microparticles were prepared as magnetic adsorbents for removal of Reactive Blue 21 (RB 21) dye from aqueous solution. Characterization of these particles was carried out using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and vibrating sample magnetometry. The results indicate that the magnetic chitosan microparticles (MCS) were functionalized with PAMAM dendrimers and maintained its intrinsic magnetic properties. The effects of initial pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, contact time and temperature on adsorption were investigated. Kinetic studies showed that the dye adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model but that the adsorption rate was also influenced by intraparticle diffusion. Equilibrium adsorption isotherm data indicated a good fit to the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacities obtained from the Langmuir model were 555.56, 588.24, 625.00 and 666.67 mg g −1 at 303, 313, 323 and 333 K, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters revealed the feasibility, spontaneity and endothermic nature of the adsorption. Recycling experiments confirmed the relative reusability of the adsorbent.

Peanut shell, an agricultural by-product abundantly available in China, was modified with citric acid and utilized as an adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. Adsorption studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of pH, contact time, initial dye concentration, and temperature. The kinetic data were analyzed using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetic models. The results showed that the adsorption process satisfactorily fitted the pseudo-second-order kinetics. The equilibrium data for the adsorption of MB on modified peanut shells were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The results indicate that the Freundlich model provides a better fit of the adsorption data. Thermodynamic parameters such as the changes in Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°), and entropy (ΔS°) have also been estimated, and the adsorption process was found to be spontaneous and exothermic. All results demonstrated that peanut shells biomass is an ef...

An adsorbent for the removal of C.I. Reactive Blue 21 (RB21) dye from aqueous solution was prepared by covalently attaching hydroxypropyldodecyldimethylammonium groups to microcrystalline cellulose. The adsorbent was characterized using FTIR, 13C NMR spectroscopy, and SEM. Adsorption studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of adsorbent loading, contact time, dye concentration, pH, temperature, and ionic strength. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms were fitted to different models. FTIR and 13C NMR studies indicated that the quaternary ammonium group had been successfully attached to the cellulose. SEM photographs showed that the surface became coarser after the modification. The cellulose-based adsorbent was shown to be very efficient for the removal of RB21 dye, with equilibrium being reached in 180 min. Maximum adsorption of RB21 dye was achieved at pH 2. The adsorption of RB21 dye onto the adsorbent was a spontaneous endothermic process and satisfactorily fitted the pseudo-second-order kin...