From cane to nano: advanced nanomaterials derived from sugarcane products with insights into their synthesis and applications

Abstract

Sugarcane-based products are inherently rich in elements such as silicon, carbon and nitrogen. As such, these become ideal precursors for utilization in a wide array of application fields. One of the appealing areas is to transform them into nanomaterials of high interest that can be employed in several prominent applications. Among nanomaterials, sugarcane products based on silica nanoparticles (SNPs), carbon dots (CDs), metal/metal oxide-based NPs, nanocellulose, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), and nano biochar are becoming increasingly reported. Through manipulation of the experimental conditions and choosing suitable starting precursors and elements, it is possible to devise these nanomaterials with highly desired properties suited for specific applications. The current review presents the findings from the recent literature wherein an effort has been made to convey new development in the field of sugarcane-based products for the synthesis of the above-mentioned nanomaterials. Various nanomaterials were systematically discussed in terms of their synthesis and application perspectives. Wherever possible, a comparative analysis was carried out to highlight the potential of sugarcane products for the intended purpose as compared to other biomass-based materials. This review is expected to stand out in delivering an up-to-date survey of the literature and provide readers with necessary directions for future research.

Keywords: 102 porous; 103 composites; 104 carbon and related materials 308 materials resources; Sugarcane; capping agent; nano biochar; nanocellulose; nanocomposite; nanoporous; nanostructured materials; recycling; silica nanoparticles.

Graphical abstract

Figure 1.

Schematic representation of application of sugarcane products for the synthesis of nanomaterials.

Figure 2.

Direct calcination and sol-gel methods for the synthesis of SNPs from sugarcane waste products.

Figure 3.

a) synthesis of SNPs from sugarcane bagasse using the sol-gel method, reproduced with permission [55]. Copyright 2019, Elsevier, and b) synthesis of mesoporous nano silica from co-calcination of a mixture of sugarcane bagasse and NaOH and the sol-gel operation, reproduced with permission [75] copyright 2021, Taylor & Francis, c-e) effect of biogenic silica nanoparticles (BSNPs) on the morphology of WI-38 cells in control, and 50 μg/mL and 200 μg/mL dosing of BSNPs, indicating that morphology does not undergo any significant changes, reproduced with permission [43] copyright 2017, Wiley, f & g) changes in plastic viscosity and yield stress of drilling fluid incorporated with sugarcane bagasse silica nanoparticles (SBSNs) as a result of varied content of SBSNs and the temperature reproduced with permission [75] copyright 2021, Taylor & Francis, h) increasing trend in the hardness of natural rubber (NR) and its composites in the freeze-dried (FD) and heat dried (HD) forms with SNPs reproduced with permission [59]. Copyright 2020, Springer.

Figure 4.

a) schematic for the synthesis of sugarcane pulp-derived CQDs, b) the particle size distribution of CQDs with a maximum particle size of 4.1 nm, and c & d) atomic force microscopic imaging confirming the 3-5 nm range for the size of CQDs reproduced with permission [60]. Copyright 2016, Elsevier.

Figure 5.

a and b) SEM and TEM images of the spherical size CuO NPs synthesized from copper nitrate by using 10 ml of sugarcane juice as a stabilising agent, c) antimicrobial activity of these CuO NPs in four doses for A) E. coli, B) P. aeruginosa, C) S. aureus, and D) b. subtilis wherein the results are comparable to those with the standard ciprofloxacin (shown in the middle) reproduced with permission [64] copyright 2019, Elsevier, d) synthesis of CuO nanospheres using sugarcane juice derived sucrose and copper nitrate, e) TEM image confirming the ~400 nm size of the CuO nanospheres, and f) color based colourimetric tmb-based H₂O₂ sensing using the CuO nanospheres or CUO and graphene oxide composite reproduced with permission [65] copyright 2020, Elsevier.

Figure 6.

a) The synthesis of ZnFe₂O₄ NPs using sugarcane juice as a mediator and its application for the degradation of methylene blue and Rose Bengal, reproduced with permission [68] Copyright 2018, Elsevier, b) TEM images of Ag@AgCl nps synthesized using 30 ml of sugarcane juice demonstrating the uniform size and well dispersed, reproduced with permission [69] copyright 2014, American Chemical Society, c) sugarcane juice acting as a stabilising agent (S) for Ag NPs (N), reproduced with permission [70] copyright 2017, IOP, and d) TEM images of Ag NPs synthesized using the extract of sugarcane leaves, reproduced with permission [71], copyright 2017, Springer.

Figure 7.

a) Schematic diagram of the synthesis of cellulose nanofibrils and cellulose nanocrystals from bundled cellulose fiber bundles, reproduced with permission [99] copyright 2021, royal society of chemistry, b-e) scanning electron micrographs, left to right: raw SCB; organosolv pretreated SCB and bleached SCB, AFM image of CNC, reproduced with permission [102] copyright 2018, Elsevier, f) TEM image of CNC synthesized using phosphorylation method, reproduced with permission [103] Copyright 2021, Taylor & Francis, g) AFM image of CNC suspension, reproduced with permission [104] copyright 2020, Springer.

Figure 8.

a) Preparation of carboxyl-modified cellulose nanocrystals (CCNs) by two methods, b) preparation of tempo-oxidised CCNs (TO-CCNs), and c) one-step preparation of APS oxidised CCNs (AO-CCNs), reproduced with permission [108] copyright 2016, Elsevier.

Figure 9.

a) Schematic representation of CNC and CNF with the effect of a mild and high degree of oxidation b) AFM image of CNF c) synthesis protocol of CNF and CNC with real photographic images, and d, e) optical image of CNF and CNC, reproduced with permission [127] copyright 2019, Elsevier.

Figure 10.

a) Schematic illustration of homogenised CNF preparation using xylanase treatment b) photographs of (i) SCB (ii) SE-SCB steam exploded (iii) SE-SCB-X20 steam exploded, 20 U/g xylanase treatment (iv) SE-SCB-X20-B steam exploded, 20 U/g xylanase treatment, bleached 5 times (v) SE-SCB-B steam exploded, 5 times bleached (vi) SE-SCB-B steam exploded, 9 times bleached, and c) TEM of CNF, reproduced with permission [111] copyright 2016, Elsevier.

Figure 11.

a) The molecular structure of biochar, reproduced with permission [14] copyright 2017, royal society of chemistry, and b) synthesis and modification of nanobiochar using different methods described in the literature, reproduced with permission [145] copyright 2023, Springer.

Figure 12.

a) Mechanism of Ni (II) adsorption on bagasse biochar pyrolysed at 600 °C (BG600) and ball-milled nanobiochar (BMBG600) b) effect of feedstocks and temperature on Ni (II) adsorption, and c) dosage on Ni(II) removal efficiencies from aqueous solution by unmilled and milled biochars, reproduced with permission [152] copyright 2018, Elsevier.

Figure 13.

Information on the conclusion and future directions of the review.