@article {48231, title = {Effect of oxalic acid and sulphuric acid hydrolysis on the preparation and properties of pineapple pomace derived cellulose nanofibers and nanopapers}, journal = {International Journal of Biological Macromolecules}, volume = {209}, year = {2022}, month = {JUN }, pages = {1745-1759}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Nanocellulose is the {\textquoteleft}{\textquoteleft}green magnet{\textquoteright}{\textquoteright} which attracts a wide spectrum of industries towards it due to its availability, biodegradability, and possible smart applications. For the first time, pineapple pomace was being explored as an economic precursor for cellulose nanofibers. Nanofiber isolation was accomplished using a chemo-mechanical method and solution casting was adopted for the development of nanopapers. Moreover, the study examines the structural, optical, crystalline, dimensional, and thermal features of nanofibers isolated using different acid hydrolysis (oxalic acid and sulphuric acid) methods. Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy, 13C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the presence of type I cellulose. The transmittance, crystallinity index, and thermal stability of PPNFS (sulphuric acid treated fiber) were greater than PPNFO (oxalic acid treated fiber). The transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering analysis confirmed the nanodimension of PPNFO and PPNFS. While comparing the optical and mechanical properties of nanopapers, PPNFS outperforms PPNFO. The tensile strength of the prepared nanopapers (64 MPa (PPNFO) and 68 MPa (PPNFS)) was found to be high compared to similar works reported in the literature. The prepared nanopaper is proposed to be used for food packaging applications.

}, keywords = {cellulose nanofibers, Cellulosic nanopapers, Pineapple pomace}, issn = {0141-8130}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.04.138}, author = {Neenu, K. V. and Dominic, C. D. Midhun and Begum, P. M. Sabura and Parameswaranpillai, Jyotishkumar and Kanoth, Bipinbal Parambath and David, Deepthi Anna and Sajadi, S. Mohammad and Dhanyasree, P. and Ajithkumar, T. G. and Badawi, Michael} } @article {48336, title = {Carbon black and chitin nanofibers for green tyres: preparation and property evaluation}, journal = {Carbohydrate Polymers}, volume = {310}, year = {2023}, month = {JUN}, pages = {120700}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

This research highlights the synergistic use of carbon black (CB) and chitin nanofibers (CHNFs) for developing green tyres for the first time. The CHNFs (12-30 nm) were prepared from chitin powder with the help of steam explosion and mild oxalic acid hydrolysis. The CHNFs were uniformly dispersed in natural rubber (NR) latex, dried, and mixed with CB in a two-roll mill to form NR/CB/CHNF composites. The NR/CB/CHNF composite at 1 phr CHNF loading exhibited tensile and tear strengths that were about 47 and 160 \% greater than the NR-Neat, respectively. The dynamic mechanical analysis showed that the loss tangent (tan delta) at 60 degrees C was 50 \% lower for the NR/CB/CHNF 1.0 composite than for the NR/CB50 composite. The study succeeded in developing a new green tyre tread formulation that would be helpful for attaining sustainability and a circular economy.

}, keywords = {carbon black, Chitin nanofibers, Green Tyre, natural rubber latex}, issn = {0144-8617}, doi = {10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.120700}, author = {Mathew, Mariya and Dominic, C. D. Midhun and Neenu, K. V. and Begum, P. M. Sabura and Dileep, P. and Kumar, T. G. Ajith and Sabu, Akshay Alax and Nagane, Dhiraj and Parameswaranpillai, Jyotishkumar and Badawi, Michael} } @article {48834, title = {Nanosilica from Averrhoa bilimbi juice pre-treated rice husk: preparation and characterization}, journal = {Journal of Cleaner Production}, volume = {413}, year = {2023}, month = {AUG }, pages = {137476}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

The preparation of nanosilica from rice husk without using any concentrated mineral acids is a novel concept. This work proposes a bioleaching strategy to remove metallic impurities from rice husk for the preparation of nanosilica. Herein, nanosilica (BJRHS) was prepared by calcinating Averrhoa bilimbi juice pre-treated rice husks in a muffle furnace. The chemical and atomic structures of commercial precipitated silica (CS), rice husk ash (RHA), and BJRHS were analyzed using different analytical techniques. The optimal leaching time, calcination temperature, and calcination time were 1 h, 500 degrees C, and 6 h respectively. The particle size of BJRHS was found to be 6-12 nm, which is less than that of RHA and CS. The BET surface area of BJRHS (204 m2/g) was found to be greater than RHA (110.5 m2/g) and CS (172.1 m2/g). Mesoporous nanosilica with excellent surface area and purity was produced sustainably from rice husk which could be recommended to use in the field of catalysis, polymer technology, etc.

}, keywords = {Averrhoa bilimbi juice, Bioleaching, Nanosilica, rice husk}, issn = {0959-6526}, doi = {10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137476}, author = {Dominic, C. D. Midhun and Neenu, K. V. and Begum, P. M. Sabura and Joseph, Rani and Rosa, Derval dos Santos and Duan, Yongxin and Balan, Aiswarya and Ajithkumar, T. G. and Soumya, Mary and Shelke, Ankita and Parameswaranpillai, Jyotishkumar and Badawi, Michael} }