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Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Molecular Dynamics Study on the Effect of Moisture Content on the Mechanical Properties of Amorphous Cellulose
ClearShape fidelity and structure of 3D printed high consistency nanocellulose
Researchers developed a method to 3D print high-concentration cellulose nanofibers — a wood-derived, plastic-free material — with precise shape retention, analyzing deformation during drying using 3D scanning and X-ray imaging. This advances the use of sustainable, natural materials in additive manufacturing as potential alternatives to synthetic plastics.
Recent Advances in Chemically Modified Cellulose and Its Derivatives for Food Packaging Applications: A Review
This review examined recent advances in chemically modified cellulose and its derivatives for food packaging applications, highlighting how cellulose-based biodegradable materials can replace petroleum-based plastics while discussing challenges in moisture barrier and mechanical properties.
Enzymatic Degradation and Pilot-Scale Composting of Cellulose-Based Films with Different Chemical Structures
Researchers investigated the enzymatic degradability and pilot-scale composting of 14 cellulose-based materials including regenerated cellulose, cellulose acetate, methyl cellulose, and cellophane, finding that hydrolysis rate decreased exponentially as the degree of chemical substitution increased. The study establishes structure-biodegradability relationships to guide development of cellulose-based plastic alternatives that balance mechanical strength with natural biodegradability.
Polystyrene-Induced Dehydration of Lipid Membranes: Insights from Atomistic Simulations
Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations revealed that polystyrene nanoplastics cause dehydration of lipid membranes upon contact, extracting water molecules from the bilayer interface in ways that could alter membrane structure and function relevant to cellular uptake of nanoplastic particles.
Effect of Matrix Crystallization on Vickers Hardness of Cellulose Fiber / Poly(lactic acid) Composites
This study investigated how crystallization processes affect the hardness of composites made from cellulose nanofibers and polylactic acid, a biodegradable plastic, with implications for replacing conventional fossil-fuel-based plastics.
Electronic Structure and Mechanical Properties of Solvated Montmorillonite Clay Using Large-Scale DFT Method
This paper uses density functional theory (DFT) to model the mechanical and electronic properties of water-saturated montmorillonite clay, relevant to engineering applications like landfill barriers. It is not about microplastics and is not relevant to microplastic research.
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.
Effects of microcrystalline cellulose on some performance properties of chitosan aerogels
Researchers developed bio-based aerogels from chitosan reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose, testing their physical and mechanical properties. This work explores sustainable, biodegradable materials that could reduce reliance on conventional petroleum-based plastics.
Drying of the Natural Fibers as A Solvent-Free Way to Improve the Cellulose-Filled Polymer Composite Performance
This materials science paper describes how thermal drying of cellulose fibers improves their performance as fillers in polymer composites. Developing stronger plant-fiber composites is part of the broader effort to create biodegradable plastic alternatives that do not generate persistent microplastic pollution.
Controlling the rheology of cellulose dissolved in 4–methylmorpholine N–oxide and tensile properties of precipitated cellulose films via mixture design
This paper is not directly about microplastics; it investigates how blending cellulose pulps of different molecular weights affects the viscosity and mechanical properties of regenerated cellulose films, with applications in fiber and film manufacturing. While regenerated cellulose fibers have been discussed in the microplastics literature, this study focuses on industrial processing rather than environmental pollution.
Relating Amorphous Structure to the Tear Strength of Polylactic Acid Films
The relationship between amorphous molecular structure and tear strength in polylactic acid (PLA) films was investigated, finding that the proportion of mobile amorphous regions significantly affects mechanical performance. Films with different thermal histories showed predictable differences in tear resistance. These findings guide the design of PLA bioplastic films with improved mechanical properties for packaging applications.
Polystyrene-InducedDehydration of Lipid Membranes:Insights from Atomistic Simulations
Researchers performed atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to characterize how polystyrene nanoplastics interact with and dehydrate lipid bilayer membranes following membrane penetration. The simulations revealed the structural and thermodynamic mechanisms by which nanoplastic particles disrupt membrane hydration, contributing to understanding of nanoplastic toxicity at the cellular level.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of the Effects of Water Content and Wettability on the Shear Properties of Kaolinite for the Failure of Clay Soil
Researchers used molecular dynamics simulations to study how water content and surface wettability affect the shear behavior of kaolinite clay mineral sheets. They found that a single layer of water molecules between clay sheets marks the transition point from brittle to ductile failure, and that water films can reduce friction by 64-98% compared to dry conditions. The findings provide nanoscale insights into the mechanisms behind crack formation and failure in clay soils.
Cellulose processing in ionic liquids from a materials science perspective: turning a versatile biopolymer into the cornerstone of our sustainable future
This review covers two decades of research on processing cellulose using ionic liquids to create functional materials. The study provides guidance from a materials science perspective on turning this versatile biopolymer into sustainable material solutions.
Revealing pore size distribution in cellulose and lignin-cellulose man-made fibers – effect of draw ratio and lignin content
Researchers measured the pore structure of cellulose and lignin-cellulose fibers using thermoporometry (a technique that uses freezing point changes to detect tiny pores) and found that drying the fibers causes partial, irreversible pore collapse that changes their internal architecture. The findings have implications for designing cellulose-based materials — a biodegradable alternative to synthetic plastics — where controlling pore structure determines performance.
One-Pot Hybridization of Microfibrillated Cellulose and Hydroxyapatite as a Versatile Route to Eco-Friendly Mechanical Materials
Microfibrillated cellulose-hydroxyapatite composites prepared by alkaline co-precipitation and hot-pressing achieved bending strengths of 40–100 MPa and elastic moduli of 4–9 GPa, comparable to engineering plastics, offering a biodegradable eco-friendly structural material alternative.
Interaction between microplastics and humic acid and its effect on their properties as revealed by molecular dynamics simulations
Researchers used molecular dynamics simulations to study how microplastics interact with humic acid, a natural organic compound found in soil and water. They found that microplastics disrupted the hydrogen bonding and calcium coordination within humic acid, altering its structure and properties. The study suggests that when microplastics and humic acid combine in the environment, both materials behave differently than they would alone, which could affect pollutant transport in natural systems.
Effect of pulp prehydrolysis conditions on dissolution and regenerated cellulose pore structure
Researchers investigated how pre-treating wood pulp with acid hydrolysis affects the quality of regenerated cellulose films — a biodegradable alternative to synthetic plastic films. Lowering the cellulose chain length through hydrolysis dramatically improved how well the pulp dissolved and changed the porosity of the final film, with important implications for designing plant-based packaging materials.
Review on the strategies for enhancing mechanical properties of bacterial cellulose
This review synthesizes strategies for improving the mechanical properties of bacterial cellulose, examining how modifications to the biopolymer's three-dimensional nanonetwork structure — including porosity, fiber arrangement, and crosslinking chemistry — can enhance its strength and toughness for biomedical and materials applications.
Biodegradable Dual‐Network Cellulosic Composite Bioplastic Metafilm for Plastic Substitute
Researchers created a new type of cellulose-based bioplastic film using a dual-network design strategy that overcomes common weaknesses of plant-based materials like brittleness and water sensitivity. The resulting material showed exceptional mechanical toughness and resistance to fire and moisture, making it competitive with conventional petroleum-based plastics. The study presents a promising biodegradable alternative that could help reduce plastic pollution.
Enhancing the Mechanical Properties of Inherently Brittle, Biobased and Biodegradable Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) Polymer by Cotton Fibre Reinforcement and Interfacial Grafting
This study developed biobased and biodegradable packaging films by modifying PLA and PBSA blends, achieving improved flexibility and toughness compared to brittle pure PLA, with the goal of replacing fossil-fuel-based packaging materials with compostable alternatives.
Supramolecular IonicPolymerization: Cellulose-BasedSupramolecular Plastics with Broadly Tunable Mechanical Properties
Researchers developed a cellulose-based sustainable plastic using supramolecular ionic polymerization, finding that adding choline chloride overcame the material's inherent brittleness and produced broadly tunable mechanical properties as a potential petroleum-plastic replacement.
Polystyrene-InducedDehydration of Lipid Membranes:Insights from Atomistic Simulations
Researchers used atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the dehydration of lipid membranes caused by polystyrene nanoplastics that have penetrated the bilayer. The findings revealed how nanoplastic particles alter the hydration state of membrane lipids, providing detailed mechanistic understanding of nanoplastic interactions with biological membranes.
A Review on the Modification of Cellulose and Its Applications
This review summarizes recent advances in cellulose modification techniques and applications, including its use as a sustainable alternative to synthetic polymers. The study discusses how modified cellulose materials could help address plastic pollution by providing biodegradable substitutes for conventional plastic products.