Four inorganic chlorides were introduced into hydrochloric acid hydrolysis to extract cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from microcrystalline celluloses (MCC) under hydrothermal conditions. The as-prepared CNCs were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT–IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The role of inorganic chlorides including ferric chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3·6H2O), copper chloride dihydrate (CuCl2·2H2O), aluminum chloride (AlCl3), and manganese chloride tetrahydrate (MnCl2·4H2O) in the extraction and properties of high quality CNCs was determined. It is observed that the introduction of inorganic chlorides obviously enhanced the hydrolysis process through faster degradation of the disordered region of cellulose. Compared with those for pure hydrochloric acid hydrolysis, smaller diameter and a larger length to diameter ratio of CNCs could be obtained through salt-catalyzed hydrolysis, which could contribute to greater enhancement on the mechanical properties of polylactic acid (PLA) nanocomposite films. Moreover, it is found that the highest reinforcing effects for the PLA matrix as well as the best transparency among all the nanocomposites were achieved in the presence of ferric chlorides, benifiting from the largest length to diameter ratio and most white of the corresponding CNCs. These results show that the use of salt-catalyzed hydrolysis especially ferric chloride has a significant improvement in achieving the energy-efficient and cost-effective conversion of cellulose starting materials into high quality CNCs.

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To achieve a better balance between the refractive index and Abbe number, the thiol-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS−SH) was incorporated as both nanoreinforcement and cross-linking reagent into high-refractive index polythiourethane (PTU). The influences of the POSS−SH on the microstructures and properties of PTU were investigated. It is found that all the nanocomposites exhibited a dense network structure and high structural homogeneity even at the POSS−SH loading up to 10 wt %. Besides great improvements in the thermal stability and mechanical property, the nanocomposite containing 1.5 wt % POSS− SH revealed a slight reduction in the refractive index from 1.6568 for neat PTU to 1.6557 but a significant increase in the Abbe number from 28 to 35, accompanied by excellent optical transparency. These results indicate that the covalent incorporation of bifunctional POSS− SH into the PTU network will be helpful for the rational design of advanced optical and optoelectronic materials.

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Cholestasis is a severe clinical complication that severely damages the liver. Kidneys are also the most affected extrahepatic organs in cholestasis. The pivotal role of oxidative stress has been mentioned in the pathogenesis of cholestasis-induced organ injury. The activation of the nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway is involved in response to oxidative stress. The current study was designed to evaluate the potential role of Nrf2 signaling activation in preventing bile acids-induced toxicity in the liver and kidney. Dimethyl fumarate was used as a robust activator of Nrf2 signaling. Rats underwent bile duct ligation surgery and were treated with dimethyl fumarate (10 and 40 mg/kg). Severe oxidative stress was evident in the liver and kidney of cholestatic animals (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the expression and activity of Nrf2 and downstream genes were time-dependently decreased (P < 0.05). Moreover, significant mitochondrial depolarization, decreased ATP levels, and mitochondrial permeabilization were detected in bile duct-ligated rats (P < 0.05). Histopathological alterations included liver necrosis, fibrosis, inflammation and kidney interstitial inflammation, and cast formation. It was found that dimethyl fumarate significantly decreased hepatic and renal injury in cholestatic animals (P < 0.05). Based on these data, the activation of the cellular antioxidant response could serve as an efficient therapeutic option for managing cholestasis-induced organ injury.