We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
50 resultsRecent Advances in Cellulose Nanofiber Modification and Characterization and Cellulose Nanofiber-Based Films for Eco-Friendly Active Food Packaging
This review covers advances in cellulose nanofibers, a plant-based material being developed as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic food packaging. These nanofibers are biodegradable, can be extracted from agricultural waste, and can be enhanced with antimicrobial or barrier properties. Replacing conventional plastic packaging with bio-based films like these could help reduce the microplastic contamination that enters the food supply.
Dialdehyde modified and cationic aerogel for efficient microplastics adsorption from environmental waters
Scientists developed a plant-based aerogel material that can efficiently absorb microplastics from water, achieving removal rates above 90% across a wide range of water conditions. The material maintained its effectiveness after eight reuse cycles, making it a practical and eco-friendly solution. This type of technology could help reduce microplastic levels in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs that supply drinking water.
Rapid adsorption of directional cellulose nanofibers/3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane/polyethyleneimine aerogels on microplastics in water
Researchers developed a cellulose nanofiber aerogel modified with polyethyleneimine for rapidly adsorbing microplastics from water. The study found that the aerogel reached adsorption equilibrium within just 20 minutes and followed established kinetic and isotherm models. These findings suggest that modified cellulose-based aerogels could serve as effective, green materials for removing microplastic contamination from water bodies.
All-natural, hydrophobic, strong paper straws based on biodegradable composite coatings
Researchers developed an all-natural paper straw coated with a biodegradable mixture of sodium alginate, cellulose nanofibers, and stearic acid that avoids the microplastic problem of traditional plastic-coated straws. The coating made the straws water-resistant for over three hours while maintaining good strength, and the straws fully biodegraded in soil within about 45 days. The study offers a practical alternative to plastic straws that does not contribute to microplastic pollution during breakdown.
Underestimation of Regenerated Cellulosic Microfibers in the Environment: Errors Introduced by Using Extraction Methods for Microplastics
Researchers discovered that common extraction methods designed for microplastics can damage regenerated cellulose fibers, leading to their underestimation in environmental samples. The study suggests that as production of regenerated cellulose fibers increases as a substitute for synthetic fibers, current analytical methods may significantly undercount their environmental presence.
Growth but not corticosterone, oxidative stress or telomere length is negatively affected by microplastic exposure in a filter-feeding amphibian
Researchers exposed African clawed frog larvae to environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastic fibers and measured effects on growth, stress hormones, oxidative stress, and telomere length. While microplastic exposure reduced larval growth, it did not significantly affect corticosterone levels, oxidative stress markers, or telomere length. The study suggests that growth impairment from microplastics may occur through mechanisms other than systemic stress or accelerated cellular aging.
Sustainable use of COVID-19 discarded face masks to improve the performance of stone mastic asphalt
Researchers found that incorporating shredded COVID-19 face mask waste into stone mastic asphalt improved the pavement mixture's performance, offering a dual benefit of reducing pandemic waste while enhancing road construction materials.
Cellulose Nanofiber Films with Gold Nanoparticles Electrostatically Adsorbed for Facile Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection
Researchers created cellulose nanofiber films with electrostatically adsorbed gold nanoparticles for use as surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates. The films demonstrated high sensitivity for detecting contaminants like methylene blue and microplastics at very low concentrations, with good signal reproducibility and storage stability over 30 days.
Cellulose Nanofiber-Based Nanocomposite Films Reinforced with Zinc Oxide Nanorods and Grapefruit Seed Extract
Researchers fabricated cellulose nanofiber composite films reinforced with zinc oxide nanorods and grapefruit seed extract and found that the combination provided strong antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria while maintaining transparency and mechanical integrity suitable for active food packaging.
Trends on the Cellulose-Based Textiles: Raw Materials and Technologies
This review examined emerging sustainable approaches in the textile industry's upstream supply chain, comparing natural cellulosic fibers (cotton, flax, hemp) with man-made cellulosic fibers and evaluating their environmental footprints, water use, and suitability as alternatives to synthetic microplastic-shedding textiles.
Energy absorption and resilience in quasi-static loading of foam-formed cellulose fibre materials
Researchers investigated lightweight foam-formed cellulose fibre materials as potential replacements for fossil-based plastic cushioning in packaging applications. They tested a wide range of material compositions and densities, finding that fibre type and refining significantly influenced energy absorption and resilience during compression. The study demonstrates that cellulose-based foams could provide adequate mechanical protection for packaging while avoiding the microplastic pollution associated with conventional plastic foams.
Processing of bio-based photocatalytic sponge-like structures containing C,N-TiO2 colloidally dispersed onto cellulose nanofibers for microplastic remediation
Researchers immobilized C,N-doped TiO2 photocatalyst onto cellulose nanofiber sponges derived from agricultural biomass, creating a bio-based photocatalytic material that degrades microplastics under light while being easily recoverable without centrifugation or filtration.
Underestimationof Regenerated Cellulosic Microfibersin the Environment: Errors Introduced by Using Extraction Methodsfor Microplastics
Researchers found that regenerated cellulosic microfibers—semi-synthetic particles from fabrics like viscose and lyocell—are systematically underestimated in environmental monitoring because existing identification methods misclassify them, meaning the true scale of environmental contamination by these fibers is likely much larger than reported.
Growth but Not Corticosterone, Oxidative Stress, or Telomere Length Is Negatively Affected by Microplastic Exposure in a Filter‐Feeding Amphibian
African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) larvae exposed to environmentally relevant microplastic concentrations showed reduced body growth but no significant changes in corticosterone, oxidative stress markers, or telomere length, suggesting microplastics selectively impact growth without broader physiological stress responses.
Cellulose Nanofiber Platform for Electrochemical Sensor Device: Impedance Measurement Characterization and Its Application for Ethanol Gas Sensor
This review evaluates the evidence for microplastic-associated health risks in humans, synthesizing data from occupational exposure studies, in vitro toxicology, and dietary intake estimates. The authors conclude that current evidence warrants precautionary action, particularly for respiratory and gut exposure routes.
First record of plastic ingestion by a freshwater stingray
Microplastics were documented for the first time in the digestive tract of the freshwater white-blotched river stingray in the Xingu River, Amazon, with 66.6% of 24 individuals containing plastic particles (81 total items), dominated by blue fibres and including 8 polymer types confirmed by 2D FTIR imaging.
Toward truly compostable plastic
This article traces the history of compostable plastic development, examining why most plastics labeled compostable fail to break down in real-world conditions and what scientific and regulatory changes are needed to make truly biodegradable plastics a viable solution.
Design of cellulose nanofibre-based composites with high barrier properties
Researchers tested four types of cellulose nanofibres and two clay mineral combinations for making composite films with gas barrier properties, finding that TEMPO-oxidized and cationized nanofibres with clay minerals produced films with superior mechanical and barrier performance. These plant-derived composites offer a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based packaging films.
Adsorptive Elimination of Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solution Using Magnetic Chitosan/Cellulose-Fe(III) Composite as a Bio-Sorbent
Magnetic chitosan/cellulose-Fe(III) composite biosorbents were developed and characterized, demonstrating effective removal of Cr(VI), Cu(II), and Pb(II) from water, with adsorption efficiency varying with pH, dose, time, and temperature according to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models.
Preparation of spherical microparticles composed of cellulose nanofiber and cellulose diacetate via Pickering emulsion templating
Researchers fabricated spherical microparticles from TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers and cellulose diacetate using Pickering emulsion templating, producing bio-based particles with potential applications as sustainable functional materials.
Effect of pH on water durability of cellulose nanofiber-reinforced starch film
This paper is not directly about microplastics — it studies how pH affects the water resistance of biodegradable cellulose nanofiber-reinforced starch films, which are developed as sustainable replacements for conventional single-use plastics, but does not address microplastic contamination or health impacts.
Biobased Composite Aerogels for Efficient Flow-Through Capture of Nanoplastics via Multimodal Interfacial Interactions
Scientists created a new sponge-like filter made from natural materials that can remove nearly 100% of tiny plastic particles from water. These nanoplastics are so small they're invisible to the naked eye but pose potential health risks when they get into drinking water. The filter works efficiently with very little energy, offering a promising way to clean up water contaminated with plastic pollution.
Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO) mediated production of ultra-fine cellulose nanofibres from delignified softwood fibres
Researchers developed an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly method for producing cellulose nanofibres from delignified softwood using lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs). The enzymatic approach enables the production of ultra-fine cellulose nanofibres as a bio-based material alternative.
Optical cellulose fiber made from regenerated cellulose and cellulose acetate for water sensor applications
Researchers developed an optical cellulose fiber for water sensing by dry-wet spinning a regenerated cellulose core from ionic liquid solution and coating it with a cellulose acetate cladding layer. The resulting fiber guided light in the 500-1400 nm range and demonstrated clear attenuation when submerged in water, confirming its potential as a biodegradable optical sensor material.