@article {46304, title = {Sustained release insect repellent microcapsules using modified cellulose nanofibers (mCNF) as pickering emulsifier}, journal = {Colloids and Surfaces A-Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects}, volume = {582}, year = {2019}, month = {DEC }, pages = {Article Number:123883}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

We report here an approach to encapsulate N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), an insect repellent, through interfacial polycondensation using modified cellulose nanofiber (CNF) as pickering emulsifier. We found that stearic acid functionalized CNF (mCNF) can be used to form stable pickering emulsions (oil-in-oil and water-in-oil), and further encapsulate DEET using interfacial polycondensation with very high encapsulation efficiency of about 98\%. Another major advantage of this approach is that mCNF can act both as pickering emulsifier and also strengthen the barrier properties of microcapsules resulting in significant reduction in release rate of DEET. Interpretation of the release profiles using standard mathematical models proposed by Ritger-Peppas show a factor of three reduction in release rate constant for the microcapsules reinforced with mCNF.

}, keywords = {Cellulose nanofiber, Controlled release, Microcapsules, Nanocomposite, nanoparticle, Pickering emulsion}, issn = {0927-7757}, doi = {10.1016/j.colsurfa.2019.123883}, author = {Kadam, Sandip L. and Yadav, Prashant and Bhutkar, Siddhant and Patil, Vishal D. and Shukla, Parshuram G. and Shanmuganathan, Kadhiravan} } @article {49948, title = {Sustainable cellulose nanofiber extraction from Borassus flabellifer: a comprehensive study and analytical insights}, journal = {Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery}, volume = {15}, year = {2025}, month = {SEP}, pages = {25359-25373}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Cellulose, a biodegradable and renewable material, is versatile and transforms various fields. This work uses a chemo-mechanical method to discuss the extraction and analysis of palmyra (Borassus flabellifer) fruit derived cellulose nanofibers (PFCNF). The mild acid treatment, steam explosion, and homogenization could increase the physico-chemical properties of Borassus flabellifer fiber. The chemical composition and FTIR analysis confirmed the successful elimination of the hemicellulose, lignin, and other extractives in the palmyra fruit pulp. The solid-state 13C NMR proved the cellulose type I structure of the extracted PFCNF. The crystallinity index of PFCNF was found to be 57\%. The yield of the cellulose was calculated to be 44\%. PFCNF exhibited fibrous morphology with a nanodimension of 10-80 nm, validated using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. With progressive treatments, the thermal stability was increased, and the Tmax of PFCNF was 32 degrees C higher compared to the raw fibers. These superior properties further support their potential in eco-friendly packaging, advanced composites, biomedical materials, film production, electronics, coating materials, and paper production.

}, keywords = {Borassus flabellifer, Biomass, Cellulose nanofiber, Eco-friendly extraction, Sustainable materials, Waste valorization}, issn = {2190-6815}, doi = {10.1007/s13399-025-06859-0}, author = {Surya, S. and Soman, Arathy and Krishnan, Akhil and Suresh, M. Parvana and Neenu, K. V. and Ajithkumar, T. G. and Parameswaranpillai, Jyotishkumar and Begum, P. M. Sabura and Dominic, C. D. Midhun} } @article {49961, title = {Sustainable isolation of cellulose nanofibers with superior crystallinity and thermal stability from Terminalia catappa L. fruit peel waste}, journal = {Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery}, volume = {15}, year = {2025}, month = {JUL}, pages = {21557-21572}, type = {Article}, abstract = {

Turning agricultural waste into value-added products is a key focus of sustainable development. Herein, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) were extracted from the pericarp of Terminalia catappa L. for the first time. The CNF was extracted by chlorine-free pretreatment methods followed by oxalic acid hydrolysis (5 wt\%) assisted with steam explosion. The prepared CNF were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA and DTG). FTIR analysis confirmed the successful removal of lignin and hemicellulose during chemical treatment which was again validated by solid-state 13C NMR analysis. TEM image revealed that the diameter of the extracted nanofibers ranges from 14 to 18 nm. From XRD analysis, the crystallinity index of the CNF was 82\%, while that of the raw sample was 62 \%. The temperature at which the maximum degradation (Tmax) of CNF occurred was found to be 372 degrees C which is superior to that of the raw sample (334 degrees C). The extracted cellulose nanofibers were used to prepare cellulose paper, demonstrating a tensile strength of 1.1 MPa, indicating its potential suitability for biodegradable packaging applications.

}, keywords = {cellulose, Cellulose nanofiber, green synthesis, Waste to wealth}, issn = {2190-6815}, doi = {10.1007/s13399-025-06726-y}, author = {Harsha, R. and Mol, A. P. Princy and Paul, Sharon and Badawi, Michael and Ajithkumar, T. G. and Rao, H. Jeevan and Parameswaranpillai, Jyotishkumar and Nair, Ajalesh B. and Begum, P. M. Sabura and Dominic, C. D. Midhun} }