Blessing C. Ahamefule¹, Chidimma Osilo^2,3, Jennifer O. Unachukwu², Stella N. Madueke², Chukwuemeka Samson Ahamefule^2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.5, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2026.02025-0202 - 28 May 2026

Abstract Lignocellulosic waste, consisting mainly of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, is the most abundant global biomass. Industries generate millions of tonnes of this waste biomass every year. This includes: sugarcane bagasse, corncob, rice straw and husk, oil palm fibres and empty fruit bunches, wheat straw, brewer’s spent grains, among others. These wastes could be valorized to produce high-value industrial lignocellulase enzymes, such as cellulases, hemicellulases and ligninases, by several microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. Furthermore, the crude or purified lignocellulase enzymes or the microbes producing these enzymes could be used to hydrolyze the lignocellulosic wastes into… More >

Zejin Zhang^1,2,#, Zhengnan Yan^3,#, Xiangyu Ding³, Weiming Ren³, Yarong Zhang³, Haoxu Shen³, Jinxiu Song⁴, Na Lu⁵, Ying Liang^1,2, Li Tang^1,2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.5, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.083745 - 27 May 2026

Abstract Graphene oxide (GO) has shown great potential in agricultural applications, however, its concentration-dependent effects on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) growth, nutrient absorption, and root architecture remain unclear. In the present study, a hydroponic experiment was conducted with different GO concentrations (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg L⁻¹) and setting the non-GO treatment (0.0 mg L⁻¹) as the control for cucumber plants (cv. Qingbaizao). The results showed that low to moderate concentrations (0.5–1.0 mg L⁻¹) significantly promoted cucumber growth, increased shoot and root biomass, enhanced the accumulation of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and optimized root architecture by increasing cellulose and… More >

Devita Amelia¹, R. A. Ilyas^1,2,*, Hairul Abral^2,3, Mochamad Asrofi⁴, Muhammad Asyraf Muhammad Rizal^2,5, Mohamad Zaki Hassan⁶, Mohamad Haafiz Mohamad Kassim^2,7,8, Nurul Fazita Mohammad Rawi^2,7,8, Nasrullah Razali⁹, Melbi Mahardika^2,7,8,10,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0147 - 24 April 2026

Abstract This study characterizes biocomposites derived from jicama starch and reinforced with microfibers obtained from jicama bagasse (JB). The incorporation of jicama bagasse microfibers into the jicama matrix was systematically varied at concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 wt%. The starch film and biocomposite were prepared using solution casting methodologies, employing glycerol as a plasticizing agent. The biocomposites were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the moisture absorption and tensile properties were evaluated. The jicama starch contained 44% w/w amylose, whereas the jicama bagasse microfiber contained… More >

Jin Shang^1,#, Weimin Zhang^2,#, Landuo Zhang¹, Xiangwen Li¹, Qi Wang¹, Peng Zhao³, Liangliang Duan^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2026.02025-0124 - 24 April 2026

Abstract Wound healing is a complex and dynamic process essential for restoring the integrity of damaged skin. It requires wound dressings that actively regulate the wound microenvironment by preventing infection, maintaining moisture balance, allowing gas exchange, and managing exudate. Natural polysaccharides, such as konjac glucomannan (KGM), chitosan, and cellulose, are well suited to this role because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and intrinsic bioactivity. Extensive research has focused on developing polysaccharide-based wound dressings with enhanced functionality to promote healing. This review examines recent scientific research published mostly in the past five years on the development and application… More > Graphic Abstract

Lin Jia, Qiang He^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.43, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2026.077807 - 03 April 2026

Abstract Aerogels, renowned as ultra-lightweight solids with exceptional porosity and specific surface area, have emerged as pivotal materials for thermal insulation, catalysis, energy storage, and biomedicine. This review comprehensively evaluates the recent strides in sustainable, high-performance cellulose-based aerogels, emphasizing their fabrication, functionalization, and application prospects. It details the extraction of cellulose from diverse sources and its subsequent processing into nanocellulose (e.g., cellulose nanofibrils and nanocrystals), which serves as the fundamental building block for aerogel synthesis. The critical sol-gel transition, solvent selection, and the pivotal role of drying techniques—freeze-drying, supercritical drying, and ambient pressure drying—in determining final… More >

Yujie Zhang, Yankai Zhao, Zhuang Zhao, Mengmeng Shan, Bochen Xu, Haoquan Xue, Junxuan Xu, Fan Wu, Qiang He^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.43, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2026.076617 - 03 April 2026

Abstract This study presents a sustainable approach for the valorization of spent coffee grounds (CG) by converting them into carboxylated cellulose nanofibrils (CG-TCNF) via formic acid/hydrogen peroxide pretreatment followed by TEMPO/NaClO/NaClO₂-mediated oxidation. The pretreatment efficiently removed lignin, hemicellulose, and other non-cellulosic components, yielding purified cellulose (CG-C) with high crystallinity (CrI = 84%). Subsequent regioselective oxidation introduced carboxyl groups at the C6 position of cellulose chains, achieving a high carboxylate content of 1.4 mmol/g. The resulting CG-TCNF exhibited a well-dispersed nanofibrillar morphology with an average width of 3.57 nm and a high specific surface area of 265 m²/g. More >

Dongwei Shao, Hao Sun, Qi Wang, Ping Han, Yiwei Liu, Jiyi Luan, Lin Jia, Qiang He, Bo Cui^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.43, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2026.074541 - 03 April 2026

Abstract The valorization of agricultural waste into high-value nanomaterials is crucial for advancing sustainable biorefineries. This study presents an efficient approach for extracting carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from poplar leaf waste (PL), an abundant and underutilized biomass. The process involved alkaline treatment and hydrogen peroxide bleaching to purify cellulose (PL-CEL), followed by sequential periodate-chlorite oxidation to produce dicarboxylic cellulose nanocrystals (PL-CNCs). The resulting nanocrystals were comprehensively characterized using compositional analysis, XRD, FTIR, TEM, TGA, and zeta potential measurements. XRD analysis confirmed a high crystallinity index of 82% for PL-CEL, which decreased to 72.2% after oxidation due… More >

Edja Florentin Assanvo^1,*, N’Dri N’Guessan Gervais Ziabo¹, Kohi Alfred Kouame², David Boa¹

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.43, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2026.073634 - 03 April 2026

Abstract This study aims to synthesise, characterise and evaluate the performance characteristics of packaging films based on biodegradable natural resources incorporated with nanoparticles. Particularly, it is focused on the valorisation of the fibers from the underexploited Lonchocarpus cyanescens plant from West Africa as raw renewable lignocellulose biomass material source for the production of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). To this end, biodegradable films were prepared from CMC derived from the fibers of the Lonchocarpus cyanescens plant, and collagen. In order to improve the properties of these films, in particular their mechanical and humidity resistance and their ability to fight microbes, silver… More >

José Marcelo Faria de Queiroz Júnior¹, Nathália Ramos de Melo^2,3, Ulisses Oliveira Costa¹, Letícia Vitorazi^1,*, Flavia Lega Braghiroli^4,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0163 - 25 February 2026

Abstract The development of sustainable materials has encouraged the use of biopolymers as alternatives to synthetic polymers. Polymeric films have stood out for their high potential in environmentally sustainable applications. Conventional cellulose acetate (CA)-based films are attractive due to their biodegradability and film-forming ability. However, their functional performance often requires enhancement through the incorporation of additives. In this context, two bio-based additives were investigated: condensed tannin (0%, 5% and 10%wt.), a natural polyphenol known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) (0%, 0.5% and 1%wt.), which act as reinforcing agents to improve mechanical… More > Graphic Abstract

Rasdianah Dahali¹, Edi Syams Zainudin^1,2,*, Mohammed Abdillah Ahmad Farid¹, Tarique Jamal³, Mohd Sapuan Salit^1,2, Muhammad Firdaus Abdul Halim²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0139 - 25 February 2026

Abstract This review draws attention to the innovative use of arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) fiber as a unique and underutilized biomass source for nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC)-based nanocomposites, presenting a noteworthy alternative to extensively researched materials like wood pulp, bacterial cellulose, and chemically modified NCCs. In contrast to traditional sources, arrowroot possesses a naturally elevated cellulose and diminished lignin content, facilitating more effective NCC extraction requiring reduced chemical input and enabling environmentally friendly processing techniques. The review evaluates the performance of arrowroot-derived nanocomposites against systems documented in the literature, including NCC-based shape memory composites and nanoparticle-reinforced films, demonstrating enhanced More > Graphic Abstract