Exploring Novel Applications for Hydrogels Derived from Modified Celluloses

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 16; no. 4; p. 530
• Main Authors: Wang, Feiyang, Borjas, Aldo, Bonto, Aldrin, Ursu, Alina Violeta, Dupont, Maxime, Roche, Jane, Delattre, Cédric
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 16.02.2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Biocompatibility; Biomass; Biopolymers; Byproducts; Calcium chloride; Catalytic oxidation; Cellulose; Crosslinking; Food; Food packaging; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; Fourier transforms; Gels (Pharmacy); hydrogel; Hydrogels; Identification and classification; Infrared analysis; Life Sciences; Lignin; Lignocellulose; microcellulose; Microorganisms; Oxidation; printability; Properties; Raw materials; rheological; Straw; TEMPO oxidation; Three dimensional printing; Tissue engineering; Titration; Viscosity; Wheat; wheat straw; France; microcellulose; TEMPO oxidation; wheat straw; printability; hydrogel; rheological
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym16040530

The valorization of lignocellulosic biomass by-products holds significant economic and ecological potential, considering their global overproduction. This paper introduces the fabrication of a novel wheat-straw-based hydrogel and a new microcellulose-based hydrogel through 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy (TEMPO) oxidation. In this study, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis was employed for the detection of carboxyl groups, neutralization titration was conducted using a conductivity meter, viscosity analysis was performed using a rheometer, and transmittance analysis was carried out using a spectrophotometer. Two novel hydrogels based on TEMPO oxidation have been developed. Among them, the bio-based hydrogel derived from oxidized wheat straw exhibited exceptional printability and injectability. We found that the oxidation degree of microcellulose reached 56-69%, and the oxidation degree of wheat straw reached 56-63%. The cross-linking of 4% oxidized wheat straw and calcium chloride was completed in 400 seconds, and the viscosity exceeded 100,000 Pa·s. In summary, we have successfully created low-cost hydrogels through the modification of wheat straw and microcellulose, transforming lignocellulosic biomass by-products into a sustainable source of polymers. This paper verifies the future applicability of biomass materials in 3D printing.