Integrating polypyrrole-cellulose nanocrystal-based composites with glucose oxidase (GOx) as a new sensing regime was investigated. Polypyrrole-cellulose nanocrystal (PPy-CNC)-based composite as a novel immobilization membrane with unique physicochemical properties was found to enhance biosensor performance. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images showed that fibers were nano...

Since this project is a result of a class assignment, it has been graded and accepted as fulfillment of the course requirements. Acceptance does not imply technical accuracy or reliability. Any use of the information in this report, including numerical data, is done at the risk of the user. These risks may include catastrophic failure of the device or infringement of patent or copyright laws. T...

The dynamic batch adsorption of methylene blue (MB), a widely used and toxic dye, onto nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) and crushed powder of carbon monolith (CM) was investigated using the pseudo-first- and -second-order kinetics. CM outperformed NCC with a maximum capacity of 127 mg/g compared to 101 mg/g for NCC. The Langmuir isotherm model was applicable for describing the binding data for M...

In this work the introduction of a cellulase treatment prior to NCC isolation was assessed. NCC was produced using sulfuric acid at two different concentrations (62 and 64% wt.). The effect of pore size for filtration step was also assessed. The smaller acid dose leaded to yields up to 65-70% and average size up to 160 nm. It also produced crystals with reduced sulfur content (0.6-1%). Cellulas...

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) is an emerging renewable nanomaterial that holds promise in many different applications, such as in personal care, chemicals, foods, pharmaceuticals, etc. By appropriate modification of NCC, various functional nanomaterials with outstanding properties, or significantly improved physical, chemical, biological, as well as electronic properties can be developed. The...

At high concentration or in the presence of electrolytes and organic solvents, solutions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) can form gels exhibiting optical properties similar to the ones of liquid crystal phases. In an attempt to pattern such a gel phase, we have studied the electrodissolution of a metallic electrode in a water suspension of carboxylated CNCs (cCNCs). Depending on the metal used...

Nanocrystalline fluorinated silicon films are studied by using Raman spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, nonlinear laser spectroscopy, and photoluminescence. Electrical properties of nanocrystalline silicon and amorphous silicon films were compared. The field-assisted migration of point defects is dramatic for durabi...

Nanocrystalline materials have experienced a great deal of attention in recent years, largely due to their impressive array of physical properties. In particular, nanocrystalline mechanical behavior has been of interest, as incredible strengths are predicted when grain size is reduced to the nanometer range. The vast majority of research to this point has focused on quantifying and understandin...

The accumulation of defects, and in particular He bubbles, can have significant implications for the performance of materials exposed to the plasma in magnetic-confinement nuclear fusion reactors. Some of the most promising candidates for deployment into such environments are nanocrystalline materials as the engineering of grain boundary density offers the possibility of tailoring their radiati...