Open Access
EDITORIAL
Open Access
REVIEW
Ying Xia1, Rafael L. Quirino2, Richard C. Larock3,*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 3-27, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2012.634103
Abstract Vegetable oils are promising renewable resources for polymers, due to their low cost, ready availability,
and versatile applications. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to vegetable oil-based polymeric
materials due to both economic and environmental concerns. This review focuses on the latest developments
in vegetable oil-based thermosets prepared by a variety of polymerization methods. The thermosets obtained
exhibit a wide range of thermomechanical properties from soft and fl exible rubbers to rigid and hard plastics.
Some of the thermosets have properties comparable to petroleum-based analogs and show promise as
replacements, providing possible solutions to environmental and energy concerns. More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Eliane Trovatti*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 28-41, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2012.634104
Abstract Biobased polymers have been gaining the attention of society and industry because of concerns about the
depletion of fossil fuels and growing environmental problems. Cellulose fi bers are one of the most promising
biopolymers to be explored as a component of composite materials with emergent properties for new
applications. Bacterial Cellulose (BC), a special kind of cellulose produced by microorganisms, is endowed
with unique properties. In this context, this perspective offers an overview about the properties of BC that
would enable it to become a commodity. This includes an appraisal of the current BC market, as compared
with other available… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Sebastián Muñoz-Guerra*, Montserrat García-Alvarez, José A. Portilla-Arias
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 42-60, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2012.634105
Abstract Poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PGGA) is an edible polypeptide excreted by certain bacteria that is presently accessible
on a semi-industrial scale. Chemically, it is a nylon 4 derivative bearing a carboxylic side group attached to
the fourth carbon of the repeating unit. Although this biopolymer is being exploited in the food, agriculture
and cosmetic sectors, its use in massive applications as packaging or coating is still unknown mainly due
to its instability in wet environments and unsuitability to be processed by common techniques. Chemical
modifi cation of PGGA involving esterifi cation or amidation of the carboxylic group is the approach explored
the… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Daan S. van Es
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 61-72, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2012.634108
Abstract In this perspectives paper we will look at the state-of-the-art in rigid renewable building blocks for biobased
materials, with a focus on two types of carbohydrate-based difunctional monomers, i.e.,isohexides and furan-
2,5-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA). More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Leendert W. Schwab, Wouter M. J. Kloosterman, Jakob Konieczny, Katja Loos*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 73-78, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2012.634102
Abstract The papain catalyzed enzymatic synthesis of amido amines catalyzed from aromatic diamines and
N-carbobenzyloxy (Z) protected amino acids (Gly, L-Leu, L-Phe) is described. The amides precipitate (yield
19–47 % depending on the amino acid used) from the reaction mixture after one amide bond is formed thus
preventing the formation of diamides in all cases. Papain retains its activity in buffers with a higher pH (9 and
12) observable by the amide bond formation between 1,3-phenylene diamine and Z-L-Gly and Z-L-Phe.
Aliphatic diamines (1,4-butanediamine and 1,6-hexanediamine) were used as well but amide formation could
not be observed in buffers of pH… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
T. Ganier, J. Hu, A. Pizzi*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 79-82, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2012.634101
Abstract Linear vibration welding of extractive rich Paduk wood from central Africa containing a high proportion of
a native mixture of water-insoluble extractives, or of low water solubility, has been shown to yield joints of
much upgraded water resistance. This has been shown to be due to the protecting infl uence the extractives
from the wood itself has on the welded interphase, due to their inherent water repellence. Joints of unusually
high percentage wood failure but modest strength were obtained; Paduk wood brittleness apparently yielding
weld line strengths always higher than that of the surrounding wood itself. This indicated that Paduk… More >
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