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The rapid growth in wearable technology has recently stimulated the development of conductive textiles for broad application purposes, i.e., wearable electronics, heat generators, sensors, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, optoelectronic and photonics. Textile material, which was always considered just as the interface between the wearer and the environment, now plays a more active role in different sectors, such as sport, healthcare, security, entertainment, military, and technical sectors, etc. This expansion in applied development of e-textiles is governed by a vast amount of research work conducted by increasingly interdisciplinary teams and presented systematic review highlights and assesses, in a comprehensive manner, recent research in the field of conductive textiles and their potential application for wearable electronics (so called e-textiles), as well as development of advanced application techniques to obtain conductivity, with emphasis on metal-containing coatings. Furthermore, an overview of protective compounds was provided, which are suitable for the protection of metallized textile surfaces against corrosion, mechanical forces, abrasion, and other external factors, influencing negatively on the adhesion and durability of the conductive layers during textiles’ lifetime (wear and care). The challenges, drawbacks and further opportunities in these fields are also discussed critically.

Bacterial cellulose (BC)–gelatin (GEL) membranes were processed by successive periodate oxidation and a freeze-thawing/carbodiimide crosslinking procedure, first facilitating a Schiff-base reaction among respective aldehyde and hydroxyl groups, and later GEL stabilization and microstructuring. The formation of highly microporous structures within the GEL portion, with significant differences between bottom and top, was elucidated, and pores in the 27.6 ± 3 µm–108 ± 5 µm range were generated, exceeding the threshold value of ~10 µm sufficient for cell trafficking. During a relatively short (6 h) exhaustion procedure in supersaturated simulated body fluid solution, the membranes accommodated the combination of biologically relevant minerals, i.e., flake-like octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and (amorphous) apatite, onto their surface, forming a membrane with intensive swelling (650–1650%) and up to 90% weight loss in a 4-week period. The membranes´ 6-day eluates did not evoke any cytotoxic effects toward human fibroblast, MRC-5 cells. The same type of cells retained their morphology in direct contact with the membrane, attaching to the GEL porous site, while not attaching to the GEL thin-coated BC side, most probably due to combined, ablation effect of dominant β-sheet conformation and carbodiimide crosslinking. Together with arrested proliferation through the BC side, the membranes demonstrated beneficial properties for potential guided tissue regeneration (GTR) applications.

The most frequent neutralisation procedure, applied on chitosan (CS) films includes treatment with NaOH base. Such treatment endows CS films with stability in water, yet, same can significantly decrease the film performance. In the present paper, we investigate Mg(OH)2 nanoparticles as a neutralisation agent for CS solutions followed by casting into films. This is combined and compared with classical casting and film drying from non-neutralized solutions followed by NaOH treatment after film formation. The influence on the properties of resulting films is investigated in detail and large differences are found for structure and barrier properties. The stable, opaque-to-transparent CS films (depending on Mg(OH)2 content and post-treatment) were obtained by facile casting method of neat CS or CS–Mg(OH)2 dispersions, in the complete absence of cross-linkers and plasticizers. FTIR data demonstrate the Mg(OH)2 and NaOH deprotonation effect, and strongly suggest intensive H-bonding interaction between CS and Mg(OH)2. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed differences in the hydroxide content and protonation of CS nitrogen. The reduction of surface roughness and increase of homogeneity, the tensile strength and elongation, as well as thermal stability and excellent oxygen barrier properties were measured for CS enclosing the Mg(OH)2 nanoparticles. Further treatment with 1 M NaOH causes re-packing of CS polymer chains, improving the crystallinity and water vapour barrier properties, degrading the mechanical properties by increasing the films brittleness and increasing the char formation due to reduced thermal stability.Graphic abstract

Wood is one of the most widely used sustainable lignocellulosic materials, with numerous applications in consumer goods and the construction sector. Despite its positive properties, such as a high strength-to-weight ratio, thermal insulation, and low density, wood’s natural thermal degradation can limit its potential applications. In composite applications like wood–plastic composites, the particle morphology and surface topography must be preserved to support intimate polymer–wood contact and mechanical interlocking. This study investigated the efficacy of a thin silica coating for thermal protection, which was applied via an in situ sol–gel method using the precursor tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). The wood particles and treatments were characterized using particle size analysis, physisorption, FTIR, SEM, XRD, and TGA analyses. After treatment, the specific and microporous surface area of wood particles increased by 118% and 97%, respectively, an effect of the porosity of silica itself. FTIR spectra of the silica-treated wood displayed peaks corresponding to Si stretching, and SEM micrographs confirmed a successful silica coating formation. TGA showed that the silica coating increased the temperatures needed to degrade the underlying hemicellulose and cellulose by 16 °C for all treatment levels. This particle-scale coating provided a promising method for producing thermally protected, functionalizable wood fillers for composites that maintain the filler geometry and potential mechanical interlocking, offering an attractive upcycling pathway for wood residues.

Electrospinning as method for fabrication of wound dressing materials with included medical plant extracts for wound treatment has lately gained increasing attention. However, the transfer of nanofiber fabrication with included plant extracts from the research to the pilot and industrial scale production, using needleless electrospinning is a vital area of research, which could enable its large-scale commercial exploitation. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a cheap, water soluble biopolymer, and in blends with the spinning agent polyethylene oxide (PEO) it is a suitable polymer for a large-scale nanofiber production. Thus, this study addresses the needleless electrospinning of CMC/PEO/plant extract blend aqueous solutions in order to fabricate cellulose based wound dressing material, suitable for treatment of acute wounds. The influence of plant extracts on the morphology of the electrospun mats was further evaluated. The antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the as-prepared electrospun mats were determined, where special attention was devoted to the stability/degradation study of phenolic compounds in plant extracts during the electrospinning process. This research was complemented by the release study and cell viability testing with results indicating a promising potential of this product to use for wound care as a self-contained wound dressing or as a part of number of already existing novel wound dressing materials. Graphic abstract

This work concerns freeze-dry processing of CNF aerogels, including aluminum hydroxide trihidrate (Alolt) particles and Sodium silicate, as active and passive flame retardants, respectively. Alkalinity of Sodium silicate promotes stability, dissociation and co-precipitation of Al(OH)3 component onto CNFs. The (auto)fluorescence-enabled confocal microscopy enabled visualization of anisotropic microstructure with open and closed-cell segments, depicting the Alolt as single and aggregated particles. Low thermal conduction (~ 0.045 W/mK) was estimated, irrespective of composition, while Alolt was found to reduce (by 30%) the aerogel moisture content. Sodium silicate promotes char formation as passive action, reducing the evolution of gaseous species, while burning test shows complete flame retardation through active endothermic reaction assigned to Alolt. Additive combinations did not amplify, nor diminish, the flame retardant effect of particular component, yet affected positively the elastic modulus. Considering simple “green” processing, low additive load, and high insulation and flame retardant efficiency, these aerogels hold promise as thermal insulation materials.Graphic abstract

Nitrogen-doped graphene oxide (N-doped GO), prepared by a facile hydrothermal reaction of GO with melamine as nitrogen source was studied as a filler in chitosan (CS) based anion exchange membranes (AEM) used in alkaline anion exchange membrane fuel cells. The structures and functional properties of the N-doped synthesized fillers (N level as high as 29.34 at.%) and produced CS-based AEMs were investigated by XPS, SEM, FTIR, XRD analysis, as well as, ion exchange capacity, tensile strength, ethanol permeability, alkali uptake, swelling ratio and cell performance tests. The as-obtained CS-based AEMs with 0.01 wt% N-doped GO filler have achieved a maximum power density of 149 ± 2.2 mW cm−2 at 80 °C, which is significantly higher than that of the benchmark commercial FAA Fumapem® and polybenzimidazole with values of 11 and 60 mW cm−2, respectively. The results demonstrate that the obtained membranes are promising AEM candidates for direct alkaline alcohol fuel cell applications.Graphic abstract

Introduction: Biopolymers, such as pullulan, a natural exopolysaccharide from Aureobasidium pullulans , and their nanocomposites are commonly used in the food, pharmaceutical, and medical industries due to their unique physical and chemical properties. Methods: Pullulan was synthesized by the A. pullulans ATCC 201253 strain. Nanocomposite films based on biosynthesized pullulan were prepared and loaded with different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by the Fusarium culmorum strain JTW1. AgNPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Zeta potential measurements, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. In turn, the produced films were subjected to physico-chemical analyses such as goniometry, UV shielding capacity, attenuated total reflection–Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and their mechanical and degradation properties were assessed. The antibacterial assays of the nanoparticles and the nanocomposite films against both food-borne and reference pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella infantis, Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa , and Klebsiella pneumoniae , were performed using standard methods. Results: AgNPs were small (mean 15.1 nm), spherical, and displayed good stability, being coated with protein biomolecules. When used in higher concentrations as an additive to pullulan films, they resulted in reduced hydrophilicity and light transmission for both UV-B and UV-A lights. Moreover, the produced films exhibited a smooth surface. Therefore, it can be concluded that the addition of biogenic AgNPs did not change the morphology and texture of the films compared to the control film. The nanoparticles and nanocomposite films demonstrated remarkable antibacterial activity against both food-borne and reference bacteria. The highest activity of the prepared films was observed against L. monocytogenes . Discussion: The obtained results suggest that the novel nanocomposite films prepared from biosynthesized pullulan and AgNPs can be considered for use in the development of medical products and food packaging. Moreover, this is the first report on pullulan-based nanocomposites with mycogenic AgNPs for such applications.

Due to its complex composition and toxicity, the waste liquid from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) poses a serious environmental challenge that must be addressed before disposal. In this study, the photochemical treatment of HTC liquid in a microreactor flow system was investigated. The effects of wavelength, the presence of atmospheric oxygen, oxidizing agent (H2O2) and catalyst (FeSO4), residence time and pH on the efficiency of the photo-treatment were investigated. In addition, the influence of the addition of deep eutectic solvent (DES) on photo-treatment was studied. The results showed that the photochemical treatment was more efficient at 365 nm than at 420 nm, and that the acidic conditions gave better results than the basic ones. UV365 treatment in the presence of H2O2 (at a dosage of 1 vol%) resulted in removal efficiencies of 31.6% for COD, 17.6% for TOC, 16.9% for NH4-N and 17.2% for PO4-P. The addition of FeSO4 caused coagulation/flocculation effects, but improved phosphorus removal. The addition of DES resulted in slight discolouration of the liquid and proved unsuccessful in COD removal. The GC-MS analysis and 3D-EEM spectra showed significant changes in the fate of organics and in the fluorescence intensity of aromatic proteins and humic acid-like substances. Photochemical treatment in a microreactor flow system in the presence of H2O2 under the selected operating conditions reduced the content of organics and nutrients in the HTC liquid, but the process liquids still showed toxic effects on the organisms V. fischeri and Daphnia magna.

The paper reports on the processing of chitosan N-doped reduced graphene oxide (CS/N-rGO) nanocomposite membranes prepared by a facile, dispersion-casting procedure aimed as anion exchange membranes in fuel cells. Genipin (GEN) was used as a crosslinking agent to ameliorate mechanical weakens of nanocomposite membranes, while the N-rGO filler, aside of its role as a mechanical enhancer, is expected to improve the ionic conductivity of membranes. The resulting properties of processed membranes in terms of morphology, tensile strength, elasticity, and ethanol permeability were examined. The relevance of the membranes in terms of efficiency and performance was demonstrated in a single cell test.