Superabsorbent Cellulose-Based Hydrogels

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason for the attention on bio-based hydrogels derived from natural resources?

  • They are easily accessible.
  • They are cost-effective.
  • They have a higher yield than synthetic alternatives.
  • They have high biodegradability and biocompatibility. (correct)

Which property of cellulose makes it suitable for hydrogel formation?

  • High melting point.
  • High lignin content.
  • Low crystal structure.
  • Abundant reactive hydroxyl groups. (correct)

What solvent mixture is used to dissolve cellulose from water hyacinth in this study?

  • Methanol/chloroform.
  • NaOH/urea. (correct)
  • Acetic acid/acetone.
  • Ethanol/water.

Which method of cross-linking is selected for preparing cellulose hydrogels due to its stability?

<p>Chemical cross-linking. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Segal's empirical method in determining the crystallinity index?

<p>To quantify the ratio of crystalline to amorphous phases in materials (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what temperature range was the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) conducted?

<p>50–700 °C (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What environmental problem is caused by water hyacinth?

<p>Reduction in biodiversity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the average lignin content in water hyacinth, making it suitable for cellulose extraction?

<p>5–9 wt% (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of sputter coating the hydrogel sample before SEM analysis?

<p>To prevent charging during imaging (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main drawback of physical cross-linking compared to chemical cross-linking?

<p>Lower stability and strength. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What component is specifically analyzed using UV–Vis spectroscopy?

<p>Optical transmittance (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which peak intensity is associated with the amorphous part of the material in the crystallinity index formula?

<p>16.5° and 22.6° (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the cellulose extracted from water hyacinth considered an alternative material?

<p>It grows rapidly and can be replenished naturally. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of measuring the swelling ratio in cross-linked cellulose-based hydrogels?

<p>To assess water absorption capacity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the flow rate of nitrogen have during the TGA process?

<p>It affects the thermal stability assessment (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the scanning speed employed during the UV–Vis spectroscopy measurements?

<p>240 nm/min (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the transparency percentage of the uncross-linked hydrogel at 600 nm?

<p>68.8% (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the transparency of the cross-linked B5 hydrogel compare to that of the uncross-linked B0 hydrogel?

<p>It was lower than B0. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What likely caused the decrease in transparency of the cross-linked hydrogels with increased borax?

<p>Increased light scattering by tetrahydroborate ions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What structural feature was observed in the uncross-linked cellulose hydrogel?

<p>A compact structure. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the pore diameter of the B1 hydrogel observed in the study?

<p>Less than 50 µm. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of structure did the addition of borax create in the cellulose hydrogel?

<p>Porous structure with interconnected network. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which other additive was mentioned as affecting transparency in hydrogels in a similar manner to borax?

<p>Boric acid. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main bonding mechanism responsible for the structure of the uncross-linked cellulose hydrogel?

<p>Hydrogen bonding. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cellulose source discussed in the studies?

<p>Water hyacinth (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which method is noted for extracting nanofibrillated cellulose from water hyacinth?

<p>High speed homogenization (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of cellulose obtained from water hyacinth is emphasized in its applications?

<p>Morphological properties (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which publication discusses the synthesis and characterization of dissolved cellulose for benzylation?

<p>Eur. Polym. J. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of hydrogels are derived from carboxymethyl cellulose and polyaniline?

<p>Conductive composite hydrogels (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which crosslinking agent is identified as nontoxic in the preparation of hydrogels?

<p>Borax (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which year was the study on advances in crosslinking strategies of biomedical hydrogels published?

<p>2019 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable feature of cellulose nanofibers extracted from water hyacinth?

<p>Sustainability and low lignin content (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) reinforce in the study by Geng et al. (2016)?

<p>Poly(vinyl acetate) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which property is NOT associated with the PVA-borax hydrogels developed by Lu et al. (2017)?

<p>Thermal conductivity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the all-cellulose composites mentioned in the study by Duchemin et al. (2016)?

<p>Use of a NaOH-urea solvent system (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which analytical method did Segal et al. (1959) propose for estimating crystallinity in cellulose?

<p>X-ray diffractometer (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of the research conducted by Tang et al. (2019)?

<p>Combining graphene oxide with cellulose (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Wei et al. (2020) control to influence the properties of all-cellulose composites?

<p>Dissolution temperature of the NaOH/Urea solvent (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which year was the study by Lin et al. (2000) on poly(vinyl alcohol)-borax semidilute solutions published?

<p>2000 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which application is mentioned in relation to microfibrillated cellulose in the studies provided?

<p>Reinforcement in hydrogels (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to Tmax of cross-linked cellulose materials as borax concentration increases?

<p>Tmax decreases (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the Tmax value of B5 hydrogels?

<p>309.3 °C (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a probable cause for the decrease in thermal stability of the hydrogels with more borax?

<p>Esterification of cellulose with borax (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What trend was observed regarding the DTG peak height with the introduction of borax?

<p>Peak height decreased (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the total char formed at 700 °C change with varying borax concentrations?

<p>It increased with higher concentrations (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the fire growth rate of the B5 sample?

<p>0.25 mm s-1 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What trend was observed in fire growth rates as borax concentrations increased?

<p>Fire growth rate decreased (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested to have contributed to delaying flame ignition and propagation?

<p>Char formation and water generation from borax (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Bio-based hydrogels

A type of material made from natural resources like cellulose, commonly used for its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and environmental sustainability.

Cellulose

A polysaccharide found in plants, particularly abundant in water hyacinth, exhibiting a strong, fibrous structure due to numerous hydroxyl groups.

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

A common aquatic weed known for rapid growth, blocking waterways and negatively impacting aquatic life.

Cross-linking

A chemical process that strengthens a material by forming bonds between its constituent parts.

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Chemical cross-linking

A method of cross-linking hydrogels that involves using chemicals to create bonds between molecules.

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NaOH/urea solution

A solution containing sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and urea, used to dissolve cellulose at low temperatures due to its low toxicity and cost-effectiveness.

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Water absorbency

The ability of a material to absorb large amounts of water.

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Crystalline domains

A highly crystalline structure formed by strong intermolecular forces between cellulose molecules, resulting in high strength and rigidity.

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Crystallinity Index

A method for measuring the percentage of crystalline material in a sample, often used to characterize materials like polymers or cellulose. The method is based on the difference in intensity between the crystalline and amorphous peaks in an X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern.

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Tmax

The temperature at which a material undergoes significant decomposition or degradation.

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Esterification of Cellulose

A chemical process where borax reacts with cellulose, forming ester bonds.

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Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)

A technique that measures the weight loss of a material as it is heated. It is used to determine the thermal stability, decomposition temperatures, and the presence of different components in a material.

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Fire Growth Rate

The rate at which a material burns, measured in millimeters per second.

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UV-Vis Spectroscopy

A technique that measures the amount of light that passes through a material at different wavelengths. It provides information about the material's ability to absorb and transmit light, which can be used to analyze its chemical composition and other properties.

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Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

A microscopic technique that uses a beam of electrons to scan the surface of a sample, producing high-resolution images of the sample's surface morphology. It is used for characterizing the structure and topography of materials, including the shape, size, and distribution of features.

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Thermal Annealing

The process where a material's structure changes over time due to elevated temperatures.

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Total Char

The remaining solid residue after a material is burned.

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Water Content/Swelling Ratio

The ability of a material to absorb water. In the context of hydrogels, it refers to the maximum amount of water a gel can hold when it is fully swollen. This property is important for determining the gel's ability to retain moisture and serve as a delivery vehicle for various substances.

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Fire Retardancy

The ability of a material to resist burning or catching fire.

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Gel Fraction

The proportion of the original cross-linked material that remains intact after swelling. It is a measure of the gel's structural stability and its ability to withstand swelling without breaking down.

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Transparency

The degree of transparency of a material.

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Borax Incorporation

The process of introducing borax into a material to improve its flame retardant properties.

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Freeze-drying

The process of removing water from a material by freezing and then drying it in a vacuum.

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Porous structure

A type of material that is made up of a network of interconnected pores.

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Pores

The microscopic spaces within a material.

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Morphology

The arrangement of molecules in a material, which influences its properties.

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Defibrillation

The process of breaking down larger fibers into smaller, nano-sized fibers, typically achieved through mechanical forces like grinding or high-speed homogenization.

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Hydrogel

A type of material that can absorb and hold large amounts of water, often used in applications like wound dressings and drug delivery.

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Study Notes

Superabsorbent Cellulose-Based Hydrogels Cross-Linked with Borax

  • Cellulose, a prevalent biopolymer, is desirable due to its availability, biodegradability, and non-toxicity.
  • Environmentally friendly hydrogels were created from water hyacinth cellulose using a sodium hydroxide and urea dissolution approach, cross-linked with borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate).
  • The uncrosslinked hydrogels exhibited a swelling ratio of 325%, while the crosslinked hydrogels reached approximately 900%.
  • Increasing borax concentration boosted the gel fraction in the crosslinked hydrogels.
  • Borax formed a char on the cellulose surface, creating a delay in flame ignition and propagation.
  • The crosslinked hydrogels displayed antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus).
  • Potential applications include wound dressings, agricultural uses, and flame-retardant coatings.

Hydrogel Properties and Preparation

  • Hydrogels are three-dimensional, crosslinked networks of hydrophilic polymers capable of absorbing and retaining significant amounts of water without dissolving.
  • Bio-based hydrogels, derived from natural sources (like cellulose, hyaluronate, and alginate), are gaining interest due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and sustainability.
  • Cellulose excels due to high yield, abundance, and natural replenishment from plants.
  • Water hyacinth, an abundant aquatic weed, offers an alternative source for cellulose extraction due to its porous structure and low lignin content.
  • Cellulose dissolution, a prerequisite for hydrogel formation, requires a specific solvent or condition to overcome strong intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen bonds in its crystalline structure.
  • NaOH/urea solution was utilized for dissolving water hyacinth-extracted cellulose in the study due to its low toxicity, rapid dissolution, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Chemical cross-linking with low-toxicity agents is preferred to form the hydrogel structure. Borax is a suitable option due to its low toxicity, low cost, and water solubility.

Experimental Methods

  • Water hyacinth fibers were obtained and refined through dewaxing, alkaline treatment, bleaching, and acid hydrolysis.
  • The crosslinked cellulose-based hydrogels were prepared by dissolving treated cellulose fibers in a NaOH/urea solution and combining with various borax concentrations.
  • Characterization included FTIR spectroscopy for functional group analysis, XRD for crystallinity analysis, TGA for thermal stability assessment, UV-Vis spectroscopy for optical transmittance, and SEM for morphological examination.
  • Water content, swelling ratio, and gel fraction were quantitatively measured to evaluate water absorption capacity.
  • An antibacterial activity test using AATCC 100 standard was applied to examine the efficacy against E. coli and S. aureus.

Results and Discussion

  • Chemical changes were observed via FTIR analysis, showing the shift in characteristic peaks of cellulose and the appearance of borax-specific peaks, indicating crosslinking.
  • Reduced crystallinity in the regenerated cellulose was observed via XRD compared to pure cellulose.
  • Enhanced thermal stability was demonstrated through higher char yields at elevated temperatures with increasing borax concentrations.
  • Optical transmittance decreased with increasing borax concentrations due to interactions with tetrahydroborate ions, potentially obstructing light.
  • The crosslinked hydrogels exhibited a porous structure via SEM, contrasted with the compact structure of the uncrosslinked hydrogels.
  • Water absorption and swelling abilities significantly increased with increasing borax concentrations.
  • Antimicrobial efficacy was observed against gram-positive bacteria with varying degrees of reduction depending on borax concentration.

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