CellulosePub Date : 2026-08-08DOI: 10.1007/s10570-026-07175-0
Annj Zamuner, Matteo Zoboli, Elena Zeni, Teresa Russo, Ignazio Castagliuolo, Andrea Porzionato, Francesca Ravanetti, Antonio Cacchioli, Gabriella D’Auria, Lucia Falcigno, Chiara Battocchio, Giovanna Iucci, Martina Marsotto, Antonio Gloria, Paola Brun, Monica Dettin
{"title":"Double functionalization in chitosan scaffolds for bone tissue engineering improvement","authors":"Annj Zamuner, Matteo Zoboli, Elena Zeni, Teresa Russo, Ignazio Castagliuolo, Andrea Porzionato, Francesca Ravanetti, Antonio Cacchioli, Gabriella D’Auria, Lucia Falcigno, Chiara Battocchio, Giovanna Iucci, Martina Marsotto, Antonio Gloria, Paola Brun, Monica Dettin","doi":"10.1007/s10570-026-07175-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10570-026-07175-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide produced by the deacetylation of chitin. It has been employed for several biomedical applications since it is biocompatible and biodegradable. In this work, two synthetic peptides were covalently grafted to chitosan to enhance cellular response. The first sequence, the nonapeptide (351–359) of human vitronectin (HVP), was demonstrated to enhance osteoblast adhesion and migration. The second peptide, GBMP1α, a 22 mer sequence reproducing the fragment (48–69) of BMP-2, increased the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. The anchoring chemistry involves the formation of a Schiff base between the amino groups of chitosan and aldehyde groups specifically introduced into the peptide backbone, followed by a subsequent reduction step. One of the advantages of this method is the specific anchoring of a bioactive sequence in a single-step reaction carried out in an aqueous solution and mild conditions. Six different 3D-porous scaffolds were designed and obtained by various combinations of both functionalized chitosan and chitosan simultaneously functionalized with both peptides. Scaffolds were characterized through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and mechanical measurements. Biological assays revealed that functionalized scaffolds exhibited significantly improved adhesion, proliferation, and mineralization in human jaw-derived osteoblasts compared to pristine chitosan. Results from mechanical measurements highlighted the ability to modulate compressive modulus and maximum stress. Notably, scaffolds containing both peptides demonstrated significant synergistic effects<i> in vivo</i>, enhancing material cellular colonization and reducing fibrotic capsule thickness. This study highlights the potential of peptide-functionalized chitosan scaffolds in advancing bone tissue engineering and addressing current limitations in bone repair strategies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":511,"journal":{"name":"Cellulose","volume":"33 11","pages":"6695 - 6715"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10570-026-07175-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149027652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CellulosePub Date : 2026-08-08DOI: 10.1007/s10570-026-07164-3
Beyza Şeremet, Sakip Önder, İkilem Göcek
{"title":"Sustainable lyocell-based oxidized regenerated cellulose hemostat: manufacturing, characterization, and biocompatibility","authors":"Beyza Şeremet, Sakip Önder, İkilem Göcek","doi":"10.1007/s10570-026-07164-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10570-026-07164-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Severe hemorrhage remains a major cause of mortality in trauma, surgery, and battlefield injuries, highlighting the need for rapid, biocompatible, and absorbable hemostatic materials. Conventional agents often suffer from high acidity, inflammatory response, thrombogenic risk, and limited biodegradability. In this study, an end-to-end, systematically reported and reproducible manufacturing route is presented for a sustainable, binder-free oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) hemostat, produced from lyocell fiber (Tencel™), a closed-loop RC from wood pulp with 99% solvent recovery, a material rarely employed for hemostatic applications. The lyocell-based nonwoven was needle-punched, oxidized, and gamma-sterilized to yield a medical-grade absorbable material. Physicochemical and morphological characterizations confirmed successful oxidation and preservation of the cellulose backbone. The ORC demonstrated appropriate carboxyl content, pH, solubility, negligible nitrogen, absence of formaldehyde, and stable residual moisture. Biological evaluations revealed concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxicity mainly linked to acidic degradation by-products, while showing low hemolysis, negligible skin irritation, and no inflammatory or necrotic response after implantation. These findings confirm excellent biocompatibility and safe interaction with soft tissue and blood. The study establishes a transparently parameterized and validated workflow through USP- and ISO-aligned analyses, providing a sustainable and credible alternative to rayon-based ORCs and bridging the gap between textile-process transparency and medical-grade evidence.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":511,"journal":{"name":"Cellulose","volume":"33 11","pages":"6657 - 6676"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149027679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CellulosePub Date : 2026-08-08DOI: 10.1007/s10570-026-07171-4
Daeyul Kwon, Youngho Jin, Jaeho Lee, Youngjae Yoo
{"title":"Recent progress in wood-based polymer composites toward cleaner production and circular material systems","authors":"Daeyul Kwon, Youngho Jin, Jaeho Lee, Youngjae Yoo","doi":"10.1007/s10570-026-07171-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10570-026-07171-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Wood–polymer composites (WPCs), which are formed by embedding natural fillers such as wood flour (WF), lignin, and bamboo into polymer matrices, have gained increasing attention as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional synthetic materials. Their appeal lies in the combination of renewable components, their cost-effectiveness, and the ability to tailor their mechanical properties through careful formulation and processing. However, the widespread adoption of WPCs is limited by challenges such as moisture sensitivity, poor interfacial bonding between the hydrophilic fillers and the hydrophobic polymers, and degradation of the structural integrity at high filler loadings. This review comprises insights from over 200 peer-reviewed studies published in the past decade and focuses on two critical aspects, namely enhancement of the mechanical performances of WPCs and their optimization for targeted applications. Key advancements include control of the filler morphology, chemical surface treatments, the integration of hybrid nanofillers, and matrix modifications that improve the interfacial adhesion and stress transfer properties. In addition, the effects of different processing technologies, including extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, and additive manufacturing, are examined with respect to the composite structure, anisotropy, and scalability. This review also highlights the evolving scope of WPC applications that range from conventional sectors, such as the construction and automotive sectors, to advanced uses, such as flame-retardant and electrically conductive composites, transparent wood structures, and bio-based adhesives. By mapping recent developments in material design, processing, and end-use functionality, this review provides a comprehensive roadmap for the future research and industrial advancement of WPCs within circular and sustainable material systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":511,"journal":{"name":"Cellulose","volume":"33 11","pages":"6295 - 6338"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149027669","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CellulosePub Date : 2026-08-08DOI: 10.1007/s10570-026-07172-3
Ayato Nishimura, Tetsuya Uchida
{"title":"Comparison of sulfate and other anionic functional groups in cellulose pulp sheet functionality","authors":"Ayato Nishimura, Tetsuya Uchida","doi":"10.1007/s10570-026-07172-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10570-026-07172-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Sulfated cellulose pulp (SCP), phosphorylated cellulose pulp, and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl radical-oxidized cellulose pulp are cellulose derivatives with distinct functional groups introduced through controlled chemical modifications. SCP has been reported to be synthesized in the cellulose pulp/sulfamic acid/urea system. The molar ratio of sulfamic acid to urea affects the fiber morphology and pulp water retention properties of SCP; however, its dry-state functionality of SCP remains uncharacterized. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the specific functionalities of SCP sheets by comparing them to other cellulose pulp sheets with anionic functional groups. A functional sheet was prepared from SCP using a hand-made method, and its water solubility, oil resistance, antibacterial properties, and flame retardancy were characterized. The functionality of the sheets was assessed by comparing the three anionic functional groups: sulfate, phosphate, and carboxyl groups, obtained through the oxidation of the primary hydroxy groups of cellulose. The high water retention of SCP was decreased by removing fine fibers with lengths of ≤ 0.2 mm, facilitating the preparation of SCP sheets using a hand-made method. SCP sheets prepared from SCP containing with a sulfate group of approximately 1.5 mmol/g of sulfate groups exhibited outstanding water solubility, oil resistance, antibacterial properties, and fire-retardant properties, owing to the introduction of monovalent strongly acidic functional groups. In conclusion, sulfate groups confer SCP sheets with various functionalities, suggesting their potential use as sustainable sheet materials.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":511,"journal":{"name":"Cellulose","volume":"33 11","pages":"6853 - 6865"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10570-026-07172-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149027660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CellulosePub Date : 2026-08-08DOI: 10.1007/s10570-026-07169-y
José Ricardo Guimarães Corrêa Junior, Valdirene Maria Silva Capuzzo, Gabriel Ferreira da Silva Brito, Fabricio Machado
{"title":"Enhanced pozzolanic activity of microcrystalline cellulose via silane modification for cementitious composites","authors":"José Ricardo Guimarães Corrêa Junior, Valdirene Maria Silva Capuzzo, Gabriel Ferreira da Silva Brito, Fabricio Machado","doi":"10.1007/s10570-026-07169-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10570-026-07169-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study evaluated the effect of surface functionalization of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) on its physicochemical properties and the performance of cement-based microconcretes incorporating the modified material. Eleven MCC samples were functionalized by varying the pH, TEOS ratio, and temperature. The MCC samples were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and the modified Chapelle test. The results confirmed the incorporation of TEOS on the MCC surface, evidenced by a reduction in hydroxy groups, formation of siloxane bonds, and improved thermal stability. Samples 3, 7, 9, and 10 showed improved microstructural characteristics according to XRD, TGA, and FTIR analyses, confirming effective surface functionalization. Among them, Sample 3 was selected for microconcrete production due to its higher reactivity and process feasibility. The modified Chapelle test indicated high pozzolanic activity (a measure of the capacity of a siliceous or aluminous material to consume or fix calcium hydroxide), with a maximum calcium hydroxide consumption of 1066.06 mg g⁻<sup>1</sup>. The addition of treated MCC to microconcretes resulted in early-age strength gains, attributed to its reactivity and nucleation effect. It is concluded that TEOS treatment is a promising strategy to enhance the performance of cementitious materials. This study shows that surface-functionalised MCC can act as a reactive and sustainable additive that enhances the microstructure and mechanical performance of cementitious composites.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":511,"journal":{"name":"Cellulose","volume":"33 11","pages":"6677 - 6694"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10570-026-07169-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149027636","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CellulosePub Date : 2026-08-08DOI: 10.1007/s10570-026-07168-z
Yu Sun, Meng Zhu, Yongjian Xu, Xiaopeng Yue
{"title":"A biomass-based, sound-absorbing, flame retardant composite","authors":"Yu Sun, Meng Zhu, Yongjian Xu, Xiaopeng Yue","doi":"10.1007/s10570-026-07168-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10570-026-07168-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Sound-absorbing materials prepared with plant fibers have received extensive attention and research since noise is an urgent environmental problem that needs to be solved; however, there is still room for improvement in the sound absorption performance and flame retardancy of these materials. This study carried out functional modification on plant fiber, flame-retardant plant fiber (FrSF), and investigated their effects on the sound absorption and flame retardancy properties of biomass sound-absorbing composite (BSC). When the addition of FrSF was 30%, the maximum sound absorption coefficient (α<sub>max</sub>) of the BSC using FrSF was 0.97 at 1530 Hz, and the noise reduction coefficient (NRC) was 0.40. Meanwhile, FrSF could improve the BSC’s flame-retardant performance with less addition of flame retardant. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) of BSC using FrSF was 29.9%, and the total heat release (THR) decreased 57.62% compare with the BSC using E-glass fiber. This work has made practical contributions to the functional modification of plant fibers and the development of plant fiber-based functional materials.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":511,"journal":{"name":"Cellulose","volume":"33 11","pages":"6621 - 6637"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149027635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CellulosePub Date : 2026-08-06DOI: 10.1007/s10570-026-07165-2
Antonella Rozaria Nefeli Pontillo, Dimitris Pappas, Tom Welton
{"title":"Cellulose-only surface modification of paper for enhanced mechanical strength and reduced wettability","authors":"Antonella Rozaria Nefeli Pontillo, Dimitris Pappas, Tom Welton","doi":"10.1007/s10570-026-07165-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10570-026-07165-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In a world where plastic dominates the packaging industry, paper-based alternatives offer an environmentally friendlier solution. However, their use is often limited by the inherent shortcomings in durability and moisture resistance. This study presents two zero-waste methodologies for enhancing the mechanical and water-resistant properties of paper, while maintaining its composition. The first methodology involves the application of a thin cellulose coating layer on the paper, while the second comprises a direct and facile surface treatment. The tensile properties are enhanced for both cases, with the coated paper exhibiting increases of up to 90% in the maximum tensile strength under dry conditions and up to 258% under wet conditions, along with an increase of up to 146% in elongation at break. In contrast, the treated paper shows increase of up to 89% in the tensile strength under dry conditions and up to 151% under wet conditions. The use of the recyclable 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate promotes the sustainable and tuneable profile of these processes.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":511,"journal":{"name":"Cellulose","volume":"33 11","pages":"6841 - 6852"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149027650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CellulosePub Date : 2026-08-05DOI: 10.1007/s10570-026-07170-5
Huafeng Feng, Jinfang Zhang, Chen Liu
{"title":"A review on environmental durability and service life prediction of natural fiber composites: mechanisms, strategies, and models","authors":"Huafeng Feng, Jinfang Zhang, Chen Liu","doi":"10.1007/s10570-026-07170-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10570-026-07170-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Natural Fiber Composites (NFCs) have garnered significant attention as sustainable alternatives to synthetic fiber-reinforced composites in the automotive and construction sectors, owing to their lightweight nature, biodegradability, and renewability. However, their broad application is impeded by challenges in environmental durability, particularly susceptibility to moisture, thermal fluctuations, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which trigger degradation mechanisms such as interfacial debonding and hydrolysis. This review provides a systematic analysis of NFC durability, spanning from microscopic degradation mechanisms to macroscopic service life prediction models. It begins by examining the intrinsic properties of natural fibers and polymer matrices that dictate material performance, followed by a critical assessment of surface treatments—including chemical modifications and plasma processing—and interfacial engineering strategies designed to enhance compatibility and environmental resistance. The review further explores multi-factor degradation pathways, such as hygrothermal, UV-induced, and biological degradation, and their synergistic effects, alongside accelerated aging methodologies and life prediction models, including Arrhenius-based and machine learning approaches. Case studies from automotive and construction applications demonstrate the translation of laboratory research to practical scenarios. This review synthesizes current advancements and identifies critical gaps to guide the development of next-generation NFCs for sustainable engineering.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":511,"journal":{"name":"Cellulose","volume":"33 11","pages":"6243 - 6293"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149027659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CellulosePub Date : 2026-08-04DOI: 10.1007/s10570-026-07163-4
Xijie Chen, Jun Song, Jicheng Shan, Kaiyue Jia, Wei Xie, Yuxuan Li, Xiaosheng Qian, Chunzu Cheng, Ting Li
{"title":"SiO2-coated SrAl2O4: Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphors for luminescent cellulose fibers","authors":"Xijie Chen, Jun Song, Jicheng Shan, Kaiyue Jia, Wei Xie, Yuxuan Li, Xiaosheng Qian, Chunzu Cheng, Ting Li","doi":"10.1007/s10570-026-07163-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10570-026-07163-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>To achieve synergistic enhancement of both mechanical and luminescent properties in regenerated cellulose fibers, this study proposes a hierarchical “core–shell-interface” structural strategy. Luminescence stability and mechanical reinforcement were concurrently enhanced through targeted surface modification of the phosphor particles. Specifically, SrAl<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>:Eu<sup>2+</sup>, Dy<sup>3+</sup> (SAOED) phosphors were coated with a SiO<sub>2</sub> shell through the hydrolysis of Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to enhance their environmental stability and luminescent performance. Subsequently, amino-functionalization was carried out using N-β-(aminoethyl)-γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (KH792), which improved interfacial compatibility, particle dispersion, and mechanical strength, thereby achieving a dual-modified functional filler system. The dual-modified SAOED particles were incorporated into a cellulose matrix dissolved in 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AMIMCl), and high-strength luminescent regenerated cellulose fibers were successfully fabricated through a dry–wet spinning process. Systematic characterization techniques, including SEM, FTIR, XRD, and fluorescence spectroscopy, confirmed the successful surface modification and preservation of the crystalline structure of the phosphors, while FTIR and rheological analyses suggested enhanced hydrogen-bonding interactions at the phosphor–cellulose interface. Compared to fibers containing unmodified SAOED, the composite fibers incorporating dual-modified NH<sub>2</sub>@SiO<sub>2</sub>@SAOED particles demonstrated significantly enhanced dispersion, mechanical properties, and fluorescence performance. Notably, the composite fibers at an optimal loading of 8 wt% exhibited a 150% increase in emission intensity, while maintaining a mechanical strength of 2.81 cN/dtex—only 2% lower than that of pure cellulose fibers. This study presents a novel strategy for the development of multifunctional regenerated cellulose fibers, demonstrating their potential applications in dyed textiles and related fields.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":511,"journal":{"name":"Cellulose","volume":"33 11","pages":"6909 - 6925"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149027661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
CellulosePub Date : 2026-08-03DOI: 10.1007/s10570-026-07161-6
Che L. Grant, Neil A. Williams, Spyridon Koutsonas, Matthew Turner, Ebby Shahidi, Homayoun Hadavinia
{"title":"Bioepoxy matrices reinforced with wheat straw-derived nanobiochar (NBC) or cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs)","authors":"Che L. Grant, Neil A. Williams, Spyridon Koutsonas, Matthew Turner, Ebby Shahidi, Homayoun Hadavinia","doi":"10.1007/s10570-026-07161-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10570-026-07161-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Bioepoxy resins offer a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based polymers; however, their intrinsic brittleness restricts their use in structural applications. This study investigates the reinforcing effects of nanobiochar (NBC) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) on the mechanical and thermal properties of bioepoxy composites, with an aim of enhancing fracture toughness. Untreated nanoparticles were pre-dispersed in methanol to improve dispersion prior to incorporation into the bioepoxy. Characterisation included Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to confirm chemical integrity, Dynamic Light Scattering for particle size distribution, Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller analysis for surface area, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for fracture surface morphology. Rheological analysis assessed dispersion quality, while mechanical performance was evaluated through tensile tests and single-edge notch bending for fracture toughness. Viscoelastic behaviour and glass transition temperature were examined via Dynamic Mechanical Analysis. NBC consistently outperformed CNCs in reinforcing the bioepoxy. At 5 wt%, CNCs increased Young’s modulus by 13.6% (3.5 ± 0.2 GPa), however, agglomeration at higher loadings reduced effectiveness. NBC (10 wt%) achieved a 24.2% increase in Young’s modulus (3.8 ± 0.3 GPa) and improved ultimate tensile strength by 9.2% (71 ± 2 MPa) at 3 wt%. Fracture tests showed that CNCs improved mode I fracture toughness by 37.2% at 3 wt% (110 ± 11 J m<sup>−2</sup>), whereas NBC produced a 72.7% increase at 7 wt% (138 ± 5 J m<sup>−2</sup>). SEM analysis revealed mechanisms such as crack pinning and deflection, although voids and agglomerates limited CNC performance. Thermal analysis showed an increase in Tg with nanoparticle addition, reaching 69.1 ± 0.1 °C for NBC at 7 wt% (5.3% increase). Overall, NBC significantly improved stiffness, strength, fracture toughness, and thermal stability, demonstrating its potential as a high performance, sustainable nanofiller for bioepoxy composites.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":511,"journal":{"name":"Cellulose","volume":"33 11","pages":"6591 - 6619"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10570-026-07161-6.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149027673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}