Open Access
EDITORIAL
Open Access
ARTICLE
Lars Helmlinger1, Yejun Zhu1, Julia Gensel1, Thomas Neumeyer1, Stefan Thäter2, Franziska Strube2, Christoph Bauer2, Bernd Rosemann2, Volker Altstädt1*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 219-225, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634161
Abstract Due to a lack of technology, smaller breweries simply dump excess CO2 into the atmosphere, fueling the greenhouse effect and global warming. State-of-the-art CO2 capture technologies using nanofibrillated cellulose are expensive and require laborious freeze-drying. Consequently, there is a high demand for affordable alternatives in order to reduce the environmental impact in this industry sector. This work describes a novel route for a quick and cost-efficient synthesis of amine-functionalized cellulose pellets by a surfactant-assisted steam explosion process. Typical values with this method were porosity of 92% and density of 67 g/cm³. Investigations on polyethylenimine (PEI) content and distribution revealed a… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Noé Navarro-Guajardo1, Edgar Miguel García-Carrillo2, Carlos Espinoza-González2,*, Rubén Téllez-Zablah1, Fátima Dávila-Hernández2, Jorge Romero-García2, Antonio Ledezma-Pérez2
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 226-236, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634164
Abstract Efforts to improve crop yields with efficient use of fertilizers are needed to guarantee global food security. Enhanced slow-release fertilizer systems (SRFs) encapsulated in biodegradable matrices are being developed to address this global concern. From a wide range of strategies for SRFs development, we explored a nature-inspired solution based on the plant cuticle model and its function as a membrane for water and nutrient transport control. Here, Candelilla wax, extracted from Candelilla wild plants (Euphorbia antisyphilitica), is studied as a renewable slow-release matrix for fertilizers encapsulated by a modified spray chilling process. From this process, microencapsulates containing 40 wt% of… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Christophe Olivier1,2, Jean Bruno Mougel1,2, Patricia Bertoncini1, Celine Moreau2, Isabelle Capron2, Bernard Cathala2, Olivier Chauvet1*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 237-241, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634168
Abstract Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have a high ability to disperse single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in aqueous media and to form hybrids. These hybrids are used to grow layer-by-layer thin films of controlled thickness. Thanks to the presence of SWNTs, these films are conducting. In this article, we describe the process by which the CNC/SWNT hybrids are obtained and discuss the electrical properties of the hybrid-based layer-by-layer films. More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Maxime Pontié1*, Serge Foukmeniok Mbokou1,2, Jean-Philippe Bouchara1, Bienvenue Razafimandimby1, Sylvie Egloff1, Ornella Dzilingomo1, Pierre-Yves Pontalier3, Ignas Kenfack Tonle<
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 242-250, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634169
Abstract Electrochemical determination of paracetamol (PCT) was successfully performed using carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) modified with treated coffee husks (CHt) or cellulose powder (Ce). Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize unmodified or modified CPEs prior to their use. The electrochemical oxidation of PCT was investigated using square wave voltammetry (SWV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The oxidation current density of PCT was two-fold higher with the CPE-CHt sensor and 30% higher with CPE-Ce in comparison with the unmodified CPE, and this correlated with the higher hydrophilicity of the modified electrodes. Using SWV for the electrochemical analysis of PCT, carbon paste electrode… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
TK. N. Tran1,2, A. Guyomard-Lack3, C. Cerclier3, B. Humbert3, G. Colomines1, J-F. Pilard2, R. Deterre1, J. Le Bideau3,*, E. Leroy4,*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 251-258, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634174
Abstract Natural rubber (NR), besides being an abundant renewable resource for the elastomer industry, can be a potential resource for the design of innovative biobased polymer networks. The present work is based on "telechelic" liquid natural rubber oligomers obtained by controlled chemical degradation of NR. The chain ends of such oligomers can then be functionalized (with acrylate functions in the present case) and reacted with multifunctional crosslinkers in order to form networks. What's more, the initial solubility of such thermosetting system in an ionic liquid (IL) can be used for the formulation of ionogels. Such solid networks typically containing 80% of… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Charlotte Grosse1,2,*, Marion Noël1, Marie-France Thévenon3, Lauri Rautkari4, Philippe Gérardin2
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 259-269, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634176
Abstract Impregnation of dry wood with pure lactic acid oligomers (OLAs) followed by heat treatment confers promising properties to wood because of OLA's good diffusion, in-situ polymerization and persistence in cell walls. Treatment provides drastic reduction of the equilibrium moisture content, high dimensional stability and good durability. The presence of water during treatment has been evaluated. Curing of OLA impregnated dry wood in humid atmosphere leads to a strong and global degradation of the material. OLA treatment of wet wood only impacts the water leaching rate negatively. Treatment of dry wood with OLA diluted in water additionally decreases the biological resistance… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
G. El hajj Sleiman1, G. Colomines1, R. Deterre1, I. Petit1, E. Leroy2, S. Belhabib1,*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 270-276, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634179
Abstract Poly(3-hydroxy butyrate)-co-(3-hydroxy valerate) (PHBV) is a biobased and biodegradable polyester. This semicrystalline bioplastic could be a good candidate for the replacement of some commodity plastics derived from oil. However, the control of the conditions of its processing in order to obtain optimal properties of the finished products remains a current research subject. The objective of this work is to better understand the crystallization under injection molding conditions by inline measurements during the process. We focused on the influence of two key processing parameters, namely, mold temperature and packing pressure. The modeling of inline temperature measurements allowed an inverse estimation of… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Rajendran Muthuraj, Abhishek Sachan, Mickael Castro*, Jean-François Feller, Bastien Seantier*, Yves Grohens
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 277-287, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634182
Abstract In this work, thermally insulating and electrically conductive aerogels were prepared from cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by environmentally friendly freeze-drying process. The thermal conductivity of neat CNF aerogel is 24 mW/(m·K) with a density of 0.025 g/cm3. With the addition of CNTs into CNF aerogel, the electrical conductivity was significantly increased while the thermal conductivity was increased to 38 mW/(m·K). Due to these interesting properties, the Seebeck coefficient and the figure of merit (ZT) of the CNF/CNTs aerogels were measured and showed that CNF/CNTs aerogel thermoelectric properties can be improved. The compressibility and electrical resistance of the… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Kahina Iggui1,2,*,†, Mustapha Kaci2, Nicolas Le Moigne1, Anne Bergeret1
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 288-298, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634184
Abstract The effects of accelerated photooxidation on the molecular weight and thermal and mechanical properties of Cast PHBV and PHBV/Cloisite 30B (3 wt%) bionanocomposites are investigated herein. Through size exclusion chromatography (SEC) analysis, a significant decrease in both weight and number average molecular weights was observed for all irradiated samples over time, resulting from the chain scission mechanism. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data indicated a decrease in degree of crystallinity and melting temperature after UV exposure, with the appearance of double melting peaks related to the changes in the crystal structure of PHBV. Thermal stability, tensile and thermo-mechanical properties were also… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Dounia Bendahou1,2, Abdelkader Bendahou1, Bastien Seantier1, Bénédicte Lebeau3, Yves Grohens1,*, Hamid Kaddami2,*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 299-313, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634185
Abstract Hybrid aerogels have been prepared by freeze-drying technique after mixing water dispersions of cellulose microfibers or cellulose nanofibers and silica (SiO2) of type SBA-15 (2D-hexagonal). The prepared composites were characterized by different analysis techniques such as SEM, hot-filament, DMA, etc. These composites are compared to those previously prepared using nanozeolites (NZs) as mineral charge. The morphology studied by SEM indicated that both systems have different structures, i.e., individual fibers for cellulose microfibers WP-based aerogels and films for nanofibrillated cellulose NFC-based ones.... These differences seem to be driven by the charge of the particles, their aspect ratio and concentrations. These hybrid… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
David Azria1,2, Raluca Guermache1,2, Sophie Raisin1, Sébastien Blanquer1, Frédéric Gobeaux3, Marie Morille1, Emmanuel Belamie1,2,*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 314-324, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634186
Abstract Biopolymers extracted from renewable resources like chitosan and collagen exhibit interesting properties for the elaboration of materials designed for tissue engineering applications, among which are their hydrophilicity, biocompatibility and biodegradability. In many cases, functional recovery of an injured tissue or organ requires oriented cell outgrowth, which is particularly critical for nerve regeneration. Therefore, there is a growing interest for the elaboration of materials exhibiting functionalization gradients able to guide cells. Here, we explore an original way of elaborating such gradients by assembling particles from a library of functionalized microspheres. We propose a simple process to prepare chitosan-collagen hybrid microspheres by… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Jan Badorrek1,2, Michael Walter3,4,*, Marie-Pierre Laborie1,2,*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 325-335, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634183
Abstract Doping lignin with carbon nanotubes is a promising strategy for cost-effective high-performance carbon fibers. We investigate the intermolecular interaction potential of CNT and organosolv lignin with two main approaches. Experimentally, oxidized purified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and beech organosolv lignins and derivatives are analyzed with their Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs) to assess their mutual compatibility. Theoretically, dispersion-corrected density functional theory simulations of the interaction between model molecules and single-walled carbon nanotubes reveal the source of interactions. We find that oxidation enables and enhances the interaction between carbon nanotubes and organosolv lignin experimentally, which is in agreement with the enhanced polar… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Zakia Khelifi1,2, Mohammed Amine Allal2, Nabil Abou-bekr2, Saïd Taïbi1, Benoît Duchemin1*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 336-346, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2018.634102
Abstract The in-soil biodegradation of Stipa tenacissima (alfa) leaves was examined. Non-linear mechanical testing was performed at various biodegradation stages. Tensile strength, loading and unloading Young's moduli and dissipation energy decreased with the burial time, whereas plasticity increased. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) showed that the fracture cracks propagated in the longitudinal direction in the raw material, resulting in a fracture mode consisting of a mixture of middle lamella delamination and fiber pull-out. In contrast, the cracks were perpendicular to the stem axis in the biodegraded material, demonstrating an important strength loss of the load-bearing fibers. This strength loss was correlated… More >