Nanofibrillated Cellulose-Based Aerogels Functionalized with Tajuva (Maclura tinctoria) Heartwood Extract

Abstract

Aerogels are 3-D nanostructures of non-fluid colloidal interconnected porous networks consisting of loosely packed bonded particles that are expanded throughout their volume by gas and exhibit ultra-low density and high specific surface area. Cellulose-based aerogels can be obtained from hydrogels through a drying process, replacing the solvent (water) with air and keeping the pristine three-dimensional arrangement. In this work, hybrid cellulose-based aerogels were produced and their potential for use as dressings was assessed. Nanofibrilated cellulose (NFC) hydrogels were produced by a co-grinding process in a stone micronizer using a kraft cellulosic pulp and a phenolic extract from Maclura tinctoria (Tajuva) heartwood. NFC-based aerogels were produced by freeze followed by lyophilization, in a way that the Tajuva extract acted as a functionalizing agent. The obtained aerogels showed high porosity (ranging from 97% to 99%) and low density (ranging from 0.025 to 0.040 g·cm−3), as well a typical network and sheet-like structure with 100 to 300 μm pores, which yielded compressive strengths ranging from 60 to 340 kPa. The reached antibacterial and antioxidant activities, percentage of inhibitions and water uptakes suggest that the aerogels can be used as fluid absorbers. Additionally, the immobilization of the Tajuva extract indicates the potential for dentistry applications.

Emerging Trends in Nanotechnology: Aerogel-Based Materials for Biomedical Applications

“…Further, Coldebella et al produced aerogel via combination of nanofibrous cellulose (NFC) from Tajuva and Eucalyptus trees, with sodium alginate by the co-grinding process. This material was able to absorb a high amount of water owing to the high antioxidant capacity attributed to the existence of phenolic and tannin substances [ 134 ]. Cellulose plant derivatives generally have a great potential for usage in hybridized aerogel as a cosmetic, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical element.…”

Application of Unsupervised Learning for the Evaluation of Aerogels’ Efficiency towards Dye Removal—A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Approach

“…Adsorption and size exclusion present the primary concepts involved in water decontamination via membranes technology [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Several physical properties are questioned in order to estimate the efficiency of a certain membrane, such as porosity, surface area, and volumetric capacity of the membrane.…”