Structural characterization and tribological evaluation of quince seed mucilage

There is an emerging quest for lightweight materials with excellent mechanical properties and economic production, while still being sustainable and functionalizable. They could form the basis of the future bioeconomy for energy and material efficiency. Cellulose has long been recognized as an abundant polymer. Modified celluloses were, in fact, among the first polymers used in technical applications; however, they were later replaced by petroleum-based synthetic polymers. Currently, there is a resurgence of interest to utilize renewable resources, where cellulose is foreseen to make again a major impact, this time in the development of advanced materials. This is because of its availability and properties, as well as economic and sustainable production. Among cellulose-based structures, cellulose nanofibrils and nanocrystals display nanoscale lateral dimensions and lengths ranging from nanometers to micrometers. Their excellent mechanical properties are, in part, due to their crystalline assembly via hydrogen bonds. Owing to their abundant surface hydroxyl groups, they can be easily modified with nanoparticles, (bio)polymers, inorganics, or nanocarbons to form functional fibers, films, bulk matter, and porous aerogels and foams. Here, some of the recent progress in the development of advanced materials within this rapidly growing field is reviewed.

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Section: Functional Materials Based On Nanocellulosesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advanced Materials through Assembly of Nanocelluloses

et al. 2018

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“…The mucilage consists of single microfibrils of cellulose [70], coated with a remarkable glucuronoxylan having half of its xylosyl units substituted with 4-O-methylglucuronic acid [71]. The surface charges appear to be sufficient to disperse the microfibrils spontaneously in exactly the way that is required of a nanofibrillated cellulose, and the properties of the mucilage layer around the seed match some of the technological applications targeted: in particular, the mucilage is a highly effective water-based lubricant [72]. The long, dispersed microfibrils have a smooth and uniform cross section [69] that is a visual demonstration of the lack of alternating crystallinity and disorder along the microfibril axis.…”

Section: Nanocelluloses Are Found In Naturementioning

confidence: 99%

Structure of native cellulose microfibrils, the starting point for nanocellulose manufacture

Jarvis

2017

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

109

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There is an emerging consensus that higher plants synthesize cellulose microfibrils that initially comprise 18 chains. However, the mean number of chains per microfibril is usually greater than 18, sometimes much greater. Microfibrils from woody tissues of conifers, grasses and dicotyledonous plants, and from organs like cotton hairs, all differ in detailed structure and mean diameter. Diameters increase further when aggregated microfibrils are isolated. Because surface chains differ, the tensile properties of the cellulose may be augmented by increasing microfibril diameter. Association of microfibrils with anionic polysaccharides in primary cell walls and mucilages leads to mechanisms of disaggregation that may be relevant to the preparation of nanofibrillar cellulose products. For the preparation of nanocrystalline celluloses, the key issue is the nature and axial spacing of disordered domains at which axial scission can be initiated. These disordered domains do not, as has often been suggested, take the form of large blocks occupying much of the length of the microfibril. They are more likely to be located at chain ends or at places where the microfibril has been mechanically damaged, but their structure and the reasons for their sensitivity to acid hydrolysis need better characterization.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'New horizons for cellulose nanotechnology'.

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“…8 Recently, lubricity of mucilage, a seemingly opposite characteristic to its adhesive properties, has drawn an increasing interest. For example, tribological studies of the mucilage from aloe, 9 quince, 10 and Brasenia schreberi 11,12 have shown effective boundary lubrication of engineering materials, such as tungsten carbide/diamondlike carbon (WC/DLC), polyethylene/stainless steel, and self-mated quartz glass pairs. Interest in the tribological properties of mucilage is partly initiated from recent social demands of development and/or fabrication of ecofriendly lubricants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…13,14 More importantly, the lubrication mechanism of mucilage is very unique and different from conventional lubricants in many senses; while the viscosities of mucilage 15,16 are similar to conventional lubricant base stock, 17 boundary lubricating performance of mucilage is exceptionally effective between two moving surfaces. [9][10][11][12] It was observed that lubricating efficacy appears to be closely related to their wetting properties on the tribopair surfaces. For example, B. schreberi mucilage showed a coefficient of friction 0.004-0.006 between two quartz glass surfaces, and its tenacious bonding to the glass surface was proposed as a reason for extremely low interfacial friction forces.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Slippery when sticky: Lubricating properties of thin films of Taxus baccata aril mucilage

et al. 2016

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Mucilage is hydrogel produced from succulent plants and microorganisms displaying unique adhesiveness and slipperiness simultaneously. The objective of this study is to establish an understanding on the lubricating mechanisms of the mucilage from Taxus baccata aril as thin, viscous lubricant films. Oscillation and flow rheological studies revealed that T. baccata mucilage is shear-thinning, thixotropic, and weak hydrogel that is highly stretchable under shear stress due to its high density physical crosslinking characteristics. In addition, T. baccata mucilage showed a distinct Weissenberg effect, i.e., increasing normal force with increasing shear rate, and thus it contributes to deplete the lubricant from tribological interfaces. Lubrication studies with a number of tribopairs with varying mechanical properties and surface wettability have shown that the lubricity of T. baccata mucilage is most effectively manifested at soft, hydrophilic, and rolling tribological contacts. Based on tenacious spreading on highly wetting surfaces, slip plane can be formed within mucilage hydrogel network even when the lubricating films cannot completely separate the opposing surfaces. Moreover, highly stretchable characteristics of mucilage under high shear enhance smooth shearing of two opposing surfaces as lubricating film.

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Structural characterization and tribological evaluation of quince seed mucilage

Cited by 39 publications

References 26 publications

Advanced Materials through Assembly of Nanocelluloses

Advanced Materials through Assembly of Nanocelluloses

Structure of native cellulose microfibrils, the starting point for nanocellulose manufacture

Slippery when sticky: Lubricating properties of thin films of Taxus baccata aril mucilage

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