Production of sub-10 micrometre cellulose microbeads using isoporous membranes

Ekanem, Ekanem E.; Sabirova, Ainur; Callaghan, Ciarán; Scott, Janet L.; Edler, Karen J.; Nunes, Suzana Pereira; Mattia, Davide

doi:10.1016/j.memlet.2022.100024

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 27 publications

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“…The production of cellulose microbeads has been demonstrated via a range of techniques, including membrane emulsification, high-shear mixing, dropping (single channel extrusion), utilizing solvent/antisolvent precipitation by aqueous or organic solvents, and via electrospray . The choice of antisolvent will affect various properties of cellulose-based beads during the precipitation/regeneration process .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cellulose Acetate Microbeads for Controlled Delivery of Essential Micronutrients

Callaghan

Califano

Gomes³

et al. 2023

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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The controlled delivery of micronutrients to soil and plants is essential to increase agricultural yields. However, this is today achieved using fossil fuel-derived plastic carriers, posing environmental risks and contributing to global carbon emissions. In this work, a novel and efficient way to prepare biodegradable zinc-impregnated cellulose acetate beads for use as controlled release fertilizers is presented. Cellulose acetate solutions in DMSO were dropped into aqueous antisolvent solutions of different zinc salts. The droplets underwent phase inversion, forming solid cellulose acetate beads containing zinc, as a function of zinc salt type and concentration. Even higher values of zinc uptake (up to 15.5%) were obtained when zinc acetate was added to the cellulose acetate–DMSO solution, prior to dropping in aqueous zinc salt antisolvent solutions. The release profile in water of the beads prepared using the different solvents was linked to the properties of the counter-ions via the Hofmeister series. Studies in soil showed the potential for longer release times, up to 130 days for zinc sulfate beads. These results, together with the efficient bead production method, demonstrate the potential of zinc-impregnated cellulose acetate beads to replace the plastic-based controlled delivery products used today, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions and potential environmental impacts due to the uptake of plastic in plants and animals.

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