This work describes the development of a low‐density, renewable, and high reinforcing filler for natural rubber (NR) compounds. The cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)‐based hybrid filler was synthesized by decorating the surface of CNCs with silica using a simple and efficient coprecipitation method. The properties of the prepared hybrid were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption measurements, and Thermogravimetric analysis. Then, the prepared hybrid was incorporated in NR using two different approaches, namely, dry mixing and coprecipitation. The dynamic and tensile mechanical properties of the hybrid/NR compounds were evaluated indicating that: the coprecipitation method was found much more effective for homogeneous dispersion and the CNC/silica hybrid provided quite higher reinforcement to NR than reference silica; however, much lower density of the final compounds was obtained. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48332.

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is faced with the problem of drinking water supply. Different methods of water purification were compared and reverse osmosis was considered a choice method for the experiment. Among the region's brackish water reserves with heavy metal contamination, nickel and cobalt were considered. Model solutions of nickel and cobalt were prepared to mimic the brackish water contamination levels and were purified with cellulose acetate reverse osmosis membrane. Experimental results showed that purifications were more dependent on the overall salt concentrations and not on individual components.

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Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are commercially produced via hydrolysis by sulfuric acid, resulting in the formation of sulfate half-ester groups on the surface of the nanoparticles. The sulfate half-esters promote good colloidal stability but could affect other properties of the CNCs. To study the impact of the sulfate half-ester groups on the mechanical properties of CNC-natural rubber composites, sodium hydroxide was used as a desulfation agent to partially remove this chemical functionality. Mechanical characterizations revealed that CNCs conferred outstanding mechanical properties to the composites. At the same time, differences in the amounts of sulfate half-ester groups had remarkable consequences for the tensile strength and the dynamic mechanical properties, while the vulcanization properties of the composites were less influenced.