M. Purushothaman¹, P. Santhana Gopala Krishnan^1,2,*, S. K. Nayak^1,2

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.3, No.4, pp. 292-301, 2015, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2015.634114

Abstract Four copolymers of poly(ethyl lactate acrylate-co-acrylic acid) were prepared by the solution polymerization technique by varying the comonomer content from 0.2 to 0.8 mole percent. The copolymers were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR and proton decoupled ¹³C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. The reactivity ratio of ethyl lactate acrylate (ELA) and acrylic acid (AA) was calculated using the Fineman-Ross method and the values were found to be 0.101 and 0.186, respectively, indicating the formation of an alternating copolymer. From the wide-angle X-ray diffraction studies (WAXD), the average molecular interchain spacing () was calculated from the 2θ value of amorphous halo at about 20°. The… More >

Mario Alejandro Mejía Escobar^*, Frankin Jaramillo^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.3, No.4, pp. 281-291, 2015, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2014.634142

Abstract In recent years, the development of new materials has contributed markedly to improving the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Mesoporous semiconductors, solid electrolyte, non-conventional catalysts and synthetic dyes without ruthenium have been the focus of study. With respect to the last, lanthanides and porphyrins have presented good properties, but these elements have the same disadvantage as rutheniumbased dyes; being complicated to synthesize and very expensive. These limitations have stimulated much research in the use of natural dyes as sensitizers due to their exceptional photoelectochemical properties and low cost. Furthermore, they are regarded as renewable and environmentally friendly materials. For… More >

Erythrina Stavila, Katja Loos^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.3, No.4, pp. 268-280, 2015, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2015.634102

Abstract The selective and specific features of enzymes have drawn an enormous amount of attention for use as in-vitro catalysts in polymerization reactions. Various studies on the enzymatic synthesis of polyesters, polycarbonates, polysaccharides, polypeptides, and polyamides have been performed and some have been implemented on an industrial scale. Particularly in the synthesis of polyester and polyamides, lipases are the most used enzymes as catalysts for their polymerization. Polyamides are considered to be one of the largest engineering polymer families used in the automotive, electrical and electronics, and consumer goods industries; thus the enzymatic synthesis of polyamides will have a tremendous impact… More >

William Eberts, Matthew T. Siniawski^*, Timothy Burdiak, Nick Polito

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.3, No.4, pp. 259-267, 2015, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2014.634137

Abstract Single-ply biocomposite laminates were fabricated with two different woven fabrics and a bio-based resin using a wet layup technique at room temperature. A highly elastic, stockinette weave bamboo fiber fabric and a thicker, inelastic plain weave bamboo fabric were both investigated. The elastic fabric was pre-strained at 25% intervals, ranging from 0–100% of its original length. Samples made with E-Glass and S-Glass, two common glass fiber reinforcements, were also fabricated using the bioresin as benchmarks. The ultimate strength and modulus of elasticity characteristics of the composites were determined using the ASTM D3039/ D3039M-08 standard test method for determining the tensile… More >

Xinli Zhang¹, Jiayu Zhang¹, Zuhua Zhang^2,*, Yiqiang Wu^1,*, Yingfeng Zuo¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 27-40, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.023400

Abstract Geopolymer is a new alternative cement binder to produce concrete. In the present study, a novel geopolymer composites containing bamboo shaving (0–2 wt.%) were fabricated and exposed to the temperatures of 200°C, 400°C, 600°C and 800°C. Physical properties, micro-structure, and mechanical strengths of the geopolymer composites were evaluated before and after heating in order to understand their thermal properties, which are essential for the use as building materials. As the temperature rises, the drying shrinkage and apparent porosity of the composites increase, while the compressive and bending strengths decrease. At the temperature range of 200°C–800°C, the residual compressive strength rates of… More >

Lei Guo^1,2,3, Zekun Wang¹, Lixia Guo^1,2,3,*, Pingping Chen¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 453-471, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.023315

Abstract Taking an industrial sludge and its preparation of sludge wrap shell aggregates (WSAs) instead of sand to prepare baking-free brick as the research object, the development law of mechanical properties and the influence mechanism of macro and micro characteristic parameters of the bricks under different sludge and WSAs replacement rates were studied through the macroscopic mechanical properties test, with the help of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), transmission electron microscopy-energy spectrum and other testing technology and pores and cracks analysis system (PCAS) software. The results showed that the compressive strength of each sample decreased with the increase of sludge content. When… More > Graphic Abstract

Xueyuan Wei, Yang Bai^*, Qi Chen^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 61-77, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.022773

Abstract Due to the long carrier lifetime, high carrier mobility, and high absorption coefficient of perovskite materials, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has increased from 3.8% in 2009 to 25.7% in 2021, which have already surpassed the PCE of thin-film solar cells and closes to the efficiency of Si-based photovoltaics (26.7%). Therefore, PSCs have become a promising clean energy technology for commercialization. However, the low defect formation energy of perovskite leads to a higher defect density than other conventional photovoltaic materials. It results in severe non-radiative recombination, limiting its further development and the commercialization. In this… More > Graphic Abstract

Jiayu Chang¹, Qingying Ding¹, Chong Zhong¹, Yao Long², Zhuanquan Xiao³, Hai Luo¹, Yuling Yang¹, Zongde Wang¹, Shengliang Liao¹, Jinzhu Chen², Shangxing Chen^1,*, Ji Zhang^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 379-391, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.022535

Abstract (E) ω-formylcamphene was synthesized from α-pinene, the main component of turpentine, and then reacted with thiosemicarbazide to obtain (E) ω-formylcamphene thiosemicarbazide 3, which was reacted with 14 α-bromoacetophenone compounds to obtain 14 (E) ω-formylcamphene thiazole hydrazone compounds 5a–5n; the yields were all above 80%. The structures of the target compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and HR-MS analyses. Then, 500, 250, 125, 62.5, and 31.25 mg/L drug solutions were prepared. Free radical scavenging experiments of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 2-bis (3-ethyl-benzothiazole-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) were carried out with Trolox and L-ascorbic acid as the control samples. The scavenging… More >

Benkai Shi, Bowen Huang, Huifeng Yang^*, Yongqing Dai, Sijian Chen

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 349-361, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.022343

Abstract To promote the development of timber-concrete composite (TCC) structures, it is necessary to propose the assembly-type connections with high assembly efficiency and shear performances. This article presented the experimental results of the innovative steel-plate connections for TCC beams using prefabricated concrete slabs. The steel-plate connections consisted of the screws and the steel-plates. The steel-plates were partly embedded in the concrete slabs. The concrete slabs and the timber beams were connected by screws through the steel-plates. The parameters researched in this article included screw number, angle steel as the reinforcement for anchoring, and shallow notches on the timber surface to restrict… More >

Sheng He¹, Weiqi Leng^2,*, Yuhe Chen¹, Hongchen Li³, Jingpeng Li¹, Zaixing Wu¹, Zizhang Xiao¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 321-331, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.022097

Abstract Microwave (MW) drying method was adopted to enhance the liquid permeability of Scots pine lumber. Structure changes were characterized by stereoscope microscope, scanned electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) examination. Pore parameters before and after MW treatment were detected by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) method, and the effect of structure changes on liquid permeability were analyzed. As stereoscope microscope, SEM and TEM examination results shown, macro and micro checks mainly developed at intercellcular of tracheids, intercellular of ray parenchyma and tracheid, while these checks extend main along the radial-longitudinal plane. Pit border destruction, aspirated pits’ orus translocation and… More >