EXACT – Excellence in Advancing for a Circular Transition
The research school ‘EXACT- Excellence in Advancing for a Circular Transition’ combines bioeconomy with smart digitalization, in a collaboration between the two research groups Pro2BE and DAMI4.0 at Karlstad University. The Ph.D. students will develop energy-efficient digitalized production processes or products and high-quality bio-based materials. The aim of this research school is to contribute to […]
Structure-properties relationship of covalently crosslinked cellulose networks
In this work, the structure-property relationship of covalently crosslinked cellulose networks is studied by utilizing surface modified cellulose nanofibrils and polymer links of defined structure and molecular weight. The effect of molecular weight, chemical functionality and concentration on specific surface area, swelling, and mechanical properties of the hydrogel networks will be investigated.
BIOdegradable vegan networks from REcycled agro-food waste as sustainable single-use abSORBents (BioRESorb)
The objective is to develop biodegradable absorbents containing nonwoven fiber networks from agro-food biomass waste. The material's structure-absorption relationship will be investigated and designed to make a fully bio-based absorbent core encapsulated in a natural nonwoven fabric. The raw materials will also be combined with other natural polymers to provide additional functionality (antimicrobial or binding […]
Atomistic understanding of biomass interaction with hydrotreating catalysts
The development of catalysts to upgrade renewable feedstocks is vital for a sustainable future. Alternative feedstocks typically differ in chemical composition compared to fossil-based feedstocks and to further develop catalytic materials that enable efficient and environmentally friendly chemical processes, it is necessary to understand the functional mechanisms of these materials in detail.The high oxygen content […]
Bio-sourced, oven-dried and wet-stable foams based on cellulose and amyloid nanofibrils
In the recent decades, foams have been extensively used for different applications such as: packaging, thermal and acoustic insulation, energy storage, and water purification. However, fabrication of foams from renewable resources through green methods with scale-up potential is challenging. In this context, cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) as the most abundant bio-derived nanofibrils with outstanding physical properties […]
Biomass-derived hybrid materials and composites
The project aim is the design and engineering of biomass-derived composites to substitute petroleum-based materials.
Cellulose-based organic solar cells via spray deposition
In this project, we use spray deposition to fabricate cellulose-based, flexible organic solar cells. We use TEMPO-cellulose nanofibrils (TEMPO-CNF) as sustainable substrate material, flexible silver- or copper-nanowires (AgNW-/CuNW) as electrode material, conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) as electron blocking layer, and a mixture of poly(3 hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methylester (PCBM) as […]
Defibrillation of cellulosic substrates by novel bio-based ionic liquids
New bio-based ionic liquids were developed as a greener and simple pathway for the activation of cellulosic substrates compatible with chemical modification (such as in situ polymerization). Preliminary experiments showed that these ionic liquids promote swelling/dispersing/defibrillation/partial dissolution of cellulose while retaining cellulose I crystalline structure after regeneration (full dissolution is not achieved). To get a […]
Bottom-up assembly of synthetic plant cells
Recently, isolated CNFs has been utilized as outer cell wall to assemble around micro containers (Paulraj, T. et al., Nat. Comm., 2020). In such an assembly termed as “plantosomes” or synthetic plant cell, the lipid growth was regulated by changes in the pH or ions, similar to what occurs in plant cells. This project focuses […]
Upgrading recycled thermoplastics using cellulose oxalate for a more sustainable future
The absolute majority of plastic used today are fossil-based thermoplastics such as polypropylene and polyethylene. To an extent these plastics are recycled through mechanical recycling but the recycled plastic is mainly used for low-end, low quality products. This is due to decreased mechanical properties and due to that the recycled plastic often obtains a black […]
Nanolatexes for cellulose modification
Latex nanoparticles can be prepared via RAFT-mediated polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) in water. They are tailor-made and highly versatile nanoparticles that can be used for modification of cellulosic fibers due to their high affinity. Part of WWSC.
