Open Access
ARTICLE
Rakesh Kumar1,*, Priya Rani1, K. Dinesh Kumar2
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.2, pp. 103-115, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.00027
Abstract Soy protein isolate (SPI) biopolymeric films were prepared by adding different contents of mandelic acid (1 to 5% wrt SPI) to glycerol plasticized SPI by solution casting method. Also, SPI was fermented by Bacillus subtilis to get fermented SPI films by solution casting. Molecular mass determination of mandelic acid incorporated and fermented SPI films was carried out by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Mandelic acid incorporated and fermented SPI films were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), tensile strength, water uptake and optical transmittance studies. Results indicated that incorporation of mandelic acid in SPI resulted… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Larissa Stieven Montagna, Isabela CÉSAR Oyama, Rita de CÁSSIA Barbosa Camargo Lamparelli, Ana Paula Silva, THAÍS Larissa do Amaral Montanheiro, Ana Paula Lemes*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.2, pp. 117-128, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.00036
Abstract Biodegradable polymers have been increasingly used for scientific and commercial applications because they are similar to some conventional thermoplastics and exhibit the ability of self-degradation. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) nanocomposites films with 1 and 2 wt% of carbon nanotubes (CNT) were prepared by solution mixing, followed by solvent evaporation. In this work, PHBV/CNT nanocomposites were submitted to biodegradation in an aqueous medium for 34 days through a respirometric system. Then, the PHBV films were analyzed by the CO2 production and mineralization as a response of a microbial attack, which was monitored by back titration during all the experiment. The films were also… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Paula do Patrocínio Dias, Marcelo Aparecido Chinelatto*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.2, pp. 129-138, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.00037
Abstract In this study a low molecular weight triblock copolymer derived from ε-caprolactone and tetrahydrofuran was used as a non-reactive compatibilizer of immiscible PLA/PCL blends. Ternary blends with 0, 1.5 wt%, 3 wt% and 5 wt% copolymer and about 75 wt% PLA were prepared by single screw extrusion and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), tensile and Izod impact testing. SEM micrographs showed that the size of the dispersed PCL domains was practically constant regardless of copolymer concentration. This result can be explained by the low shear rate employed during processing step and… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Nívia do Nascimento Marques1, Caroline Suzy do Nascimento Garcia1, Liszt Yeltsin Coutinho Madruga1, Marcos Antônio Villetti2, Men de SáMoreira de Souza Filho3, Edson Noriyuki Ito4, Rosangela de Carvalho Balaban1,*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.2, pp. 139-152, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.00040
Abstract After industrial mango processing, tons of residues such as peels and kernels are discarded as waste. Nevertheless, almost 60% of the mango kernel is due to starch on a dry weight basis. Herein, starch from mango (Manguifera Indica L.) kernel was applied to obtain a starch fatty ester with vinyl laurate, in DMSO, under basic catalysis. FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR confirmed that a starch ester with a degree of modification of 2.6 was produced. TGA showed that the modified starch has higher thermal stability than its precursors and higher than a vinyl laurate/starch physical blend. SEM data showed that… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
C. M. Meenakshi, A. Krishnamoorthy*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.2, pp. 153-169, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.00046
Abstract Natural fiber-reinforced hybrid composites can be a better replacement for plastic composites since these plastic composites pose a serious threat to the environment. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of surface modification of the natural fibers on the mechanical, thermal, hygrothermal, and water absorption behaviors of flax, sisal, and glass fiber-reinforced epoxy hybrid composites. The mechanical properties of alkaline treated sisal and flax fibers were found to increase considerably.Tensile, flexural and impact strength of glass/flax-fiber-reinforced hybrid samples improved by 58%, 36%, and 51%, respectively, after surface alkaline treatment. In addition, the hygrothermal analysis and water absorption… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
V. Subrahmanian1,*, M. Albert Noble Einstien2
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.2, pp. 171-192, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.00090
Abstract Nowadays an alternate source of filler from renewable and plant derivatives are being thought of in rubber industries due to their reliability, environmental and economic benefits. Rice Husk Ash (RHA) a byproduct of the rice milling industry is obtained on partial and as well as full combustion of the rice husks. This ash is a good source of silica, silicates and needle shaped carbon and hence can be used as filler for cements. In the present study, a detailed investigation was carried out to understand the RHA as reinforcing material using mechanical properties and fractography using SEM. The rubbers studied… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Samir Kamel1,*, Ahmed A. Haroun2, Amany M. El-Nahrawy3, Mohamed A. Diab1
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.2, pp. 193-203, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.00144
Abstract In this work, conducting composites of nanocellulose (NC)/polypyrrole nanoparticles (NPPy) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), i.e., NC/NPPyAg, were synthesized for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, via in situ emulsion polymerization of pyrrole in the presence of surfactant dopants. The AgNPs acted as an oxidizing agent to simultaneously incorporate nanoparticles into the prepared composites. The structures and morphologies of the prepared composites were studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis Spectra, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) techniques. Additionally, the prepared composites were characterized by their conductivities, and… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
Weeradech Kiratitanavit1, Ferdinando F. Bruno2,*, Zhiyu Xia1, Shiran Yu1, Jayant Kumar3,4, Ramaswamy Nagarajan1,3,*
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.2, pp. 205-214, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.00031
Abstract Polyserotonin was enzymatically synthesized using Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as the catalyst. This novel conjugated polymer exhibited good fluorescent properties with significantly higher Stokes shift than its monomer. The enzymatic polymerization eliminated the need for extensive purification of the product (typically necessary for the removal of residual metal catalyst) allowing the product to be naturally fluorescent as synthesized. The reaction was monitored using UV-Vis spectrophotometry and the polymers were characterized using Fluorescence, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetry. The possibility of using polyserotonin for the detection of nitro-aromatic compounds, including 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) and trinitrotoluene (TNT), through fluorescence quenching at parts… More >