Heteroacoagulation of lignocellulose fibers-based biotemplates and functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles to tailor film microstructures

Abstract

The heterocoagulation of lignocellulose nanofibers (LCNF) with functionalized TiO 2 nanoparticles (NP) is presented as an innovative revalorization strategy for the exploitation of lignocellulose wastes. Their use as bio-templates could be considered a promising alternative in a current biorefinery scheme since the massive production of porous materials with numerous nanotechnological applications could be offer new alternative exploitation routes.The surface modification of TiO 2 NP by adsorption of polyetilenimine (PEI) favors its coupling with LCNF through a peptide bond during heterocoagulation in aqueous suspension. The functionalization of LCNF with TiO 2 NP allows forming core-shell nanostructures to shape and sinter coatings at low temperature (450°C), where the LCNF used as templates for porous shaping, burn during the nanostructure consolidation. In this work, the inclusion of bioresources (LCNF templates) in the semiconductor microstructure is discussed in terms of dye loading (by UV-Visible Spectroscopy), photovoltaic efficiency and charge transfer (by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, (EIS) in a Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC)). Results confirm that the TiO 2 /template network yielded better photoefficiency and electron transport properties than mesoporous films assembled only from TiO 2 NP. The preparation of TiO 2 -based photoanodes with enhanced performances (with an efficiency value around 6%, for a thickness of 8.7 µm) allows validating the successful colloidal procedure herein employed.

Simple Route to Prepare Composite Nanocellulose Aerogels: A Case of Photocatalytic De-NOx Materials Application

“…The preparation of the reference and mixed structures was conducted at pH 8, favoring electrostatic interactions between the nanoparticles and the nanofibers and inducing the heterocoagulation mechanism of both compounds. Further experimental details about the process, carried out with other similar materials, were previously reported elsewhere . The resulting suspensions in each case were casted in plastic molds of 25 and 60 mm diameter, frozen for 24 h, and freeze-dried.…”

“…Further experimental details about the process, carried out with other similar materials, were previously reported elsewhere. 15 The resulting suspensions in each case were casted in plastic molds of 25 and 60 mm diameter, frozen for 24 h, and freezedried. Further details on these procedures are described in the Supporting Information.…”

Exploitation of Lignocellulose Fiber-Based Biotemplates to Improve the Performance of an Immobilized TiO2 Photocatalyst

“…On the other hand, as-prepared LCNF, obtained by a conventional production method from biomass residues of wheat straw, were separately dispersed in aqueous media at pH 8 with the aid of a mechanical disgregator for 5 min at 590 rpm. More details about the stabilization of LCNF were previously reported elsewhere [37]. The preparation of the resulting suspensions was carried out in aqueous media by inducing a heterocoagulation process between both colloidal systems.…”