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Saharan aloe vera cactus leaves fibers (SACLFs) are a biodegradable and renewable agro textile fiber enriched with cellulose polysaccharides. The isolation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from SACLFs is an alternative approach to reinforcement for bio-composites applications. In this study, we show that standard chemical methods for the extraction of cellulose microfibrils and sulfuric acid hydrolysis (64 wt%) will result in usable CNCs. The resulting CNCs were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TGA and TEM. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirms that the maximum amount of noncellulosic materials is removed from SACLFs. High yield content (32%) of CNCs is achieved by sulfuric acid hydrolysis and sonication process. It also enhances the crystalline size and crystallinity index of CNCs, which are confirmed by XRD. TEM analysis of CNCs shows a rod-like structure with diameter (10–14 nm), length (200–255 nm) and high aspect ratio of 18–20, which confers good reinforcing properties. These were tested in biodegradable agar film, whose tensile strength is increased by 27% when 5 wt% of CNCs from SACLFs was incorporated into the matrix. The SACLFs represent an interesting source of cellulosic reinforcing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of late, measures are being undertaken to curtail deforestation thereby to save the environment. In this venture, agro waste products are utilized for structural applications instead of wood. By this way, the α-cellulosic micro filler, which are isolated from Cocos nucifera var Aurantiaca Peduncle (CAP) through chemical treatment process, are systematically utilized as a reinforcing material in thermo set epoxy polymers as a replacement by manmade carbon, ceramic fillers and wood derived products. The results on mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, impact test revealed that these properties of the α-cellulosic micro filler reinforced epoxy composites increased in linear nature for 3 wt% to 15 wt% of filler loading and 15 wt% shows the superior behaviour in their mechanical properties. The internal structure of the fractured mechanical test specimens are investigated through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). In addition to that, visco-elastic behaviour, thermal stability of the 15 wt% of α-cellulosic micro filler reinforced epoxy composite were analyzed through dynamic mechanical and thermo gravimetric analysis and compare with pristine epoxy., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The Used Disposal Paper Cups (UDPCs) have become a concern to the solid waste management sector as scientists triggered the problems in recent years, to proceed forward in developing the process for this issue. Based on this concern, the present study emphasizes on the isolation of a novel bio-eco based Cellulose NanoCrystals (CNCs) from UDPCs through citric acid hydrolysis. The effect of acid concentration on microstructure and yield of CNCs are highlighted. The optimized yield (55 wt.%) has an appearance of rod-like structure with a width of 13.7 ± 0.6 nm which results due to 76 wt.% of acid hydrolyzed CNCs. The colloidal stability, crystallinity index, presence of functional groups and elemental composition in CNCs (76 wt.%) were identified by employing zeta potential, XRD, conductometric test and FTIR techniques. Finally, the thermal stability of CNCs (76 wt.%) was investigated by thermo-gravimetric analysis., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The development of bio-degradable, renewable and low-cost material is critical to meet the growing environmental concerns and energy demands. The present study emphasizes on the extraction of a new kind of Cellulose NanoFibers (CNFs) from peduncles which are a bio-waste product of Cocos nucifera var-Aurantiaca through ball milling combined with chemical treatment. The crystallinity index, presence of functional groups and elemental composition in CNFs were identified by employing XRD, FT-IR and EDX techniques. The thermal stability of CNFs was investigated by thermo-gravimetric analysis. The morphological analysis was performed by electron microscopy and the results showed the appearance of CNFs in web-like structure with a width of 55-64 nm. The effect of reinforcement of CNFs in epoxy matrix was performed, whose tensile strength increased by 37% when 2 wt% of CNFs was loaded into the matrix., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)