Lars Helmlinger¹, Yejun Zhu¹, Julia Gensel¹, Thomas Neumeyer¹, Stefan Thäter², Franziska Strube², Christoph Bauer², Bernd Rosemann², Volker Altstädt^1*

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) More >

Cristiane S. Farinas*, José Manoel Marconcini, Luiz Henrique C. Mattoso

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 203-216, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.6341578

Abstract The conversion of sugarcane lignocellulosic biomass into fuels, chemicals and high-value materials using the biochemical pathway is considered the most sustainable alternative for the implementation of future biorefineries. Actually, the first large-scale cellulosic ethanol plants that have started operating worldwide apply the enzymatic hydrolysis process to convert biomass into simple sugars that are fermented to ethanol by yeasts. However, several technological challenges still need to be addressed in order to obtain commercially competitive products. This review describes current challenges and perspectives regarding the enzymatic hydrolysis step for processing sugarcane lignocellulosic biomass within the biorefinery. Recent More >

Rafael Grande^1*, Eliane Trovatti², Maria Tereza B. Pimenta³, Antonio J. F. Carvalho¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 195-202, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2018.634109

Abstract Research involving the preparation of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) from sugarcane bagasse is a relevant topic to the production of new nanomaterials and more accessible cellulose substrates for the production of second generation ethanol. Regarding the transformation of cellulose into glucose, the precursor of second generation ethanol, this nanosized cellulosic substrate represents a more appropriate material for the chemical hydrolysis process. The high aspect ratio of MFC improves hydrolysis, requiring mild conditions and decreasing the generation of by-products. Here, MFC was prepared from sugarcane bagasse by ultrasound defibrillation. This material was oxidized with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) to More >

Marcelo M. Oliveira^1,2, Antônio A. S. Curvelo^2,3, Carlos Driemeier^1*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 152-159, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.6341576

Abstract Lignocellulose conversion into cellulosic ethanol and coproducts starts with a pretreatment step. Most current industrial plants of cellulosic ethanol use thermochemical pretreatments under hydrothermal conditions, with or without addition of acid catalyst. Such pretreatments modify biomass chemistry and morphology, particularly at the nanoscale. In this work, we use X-ray diffraction, dynamic vapor sorption and calorimetric thermoporometry to investigate the biomass nanostructural changes promoted by hydrothermal conditions. We compare and differentiate the rind and pith fractions of sugarcane stalks in order to contribute to the understanding of rind-pith contrasting recalcitrance. Moreover, for both cane fractions our More >

S.H. Hassan^1,2, Lee Hwei Voon^1*, T.S. Velayutham^2*, Lindong Zhai³, Hyun Chan Kim³, Jaehwan Kim³

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.1, pp. 1-25, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634173

Abstract Cellulose is a renewable biomass material and natural polymer which is abundantly available on Earth, and includes agricultural wastes, forestry residues, and woody materials. The excellent and smart characteristics of cellulose materials, such as lightweight, biocompatibility, biodegradability, high mechanical strength/stiffness and low thermal expansibility, have made cellulose a high-potential material for various industry applications. Cellulose has recently been discovered as a smart material in the electroactive polymers family which carries the name of cellulose-based electroactive paper (EAPap). The shear piezoelectricity in cellulose polymers is able to induce large displacement output, low actuation voltage, and low… More >

Ying Hu^1,2, Qinfei Ke¹, Zhe Li², Wanli Han³, Zhiyong Yan^2,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.56, No.3, pp. 517-527, 2018, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2018.03608

Abstract Cellulose nanofibers were synthesized by acetobacter xylinum (xylinum 1.1812). The cellulose nanofibers with 30-90 nm width constructed three-dimension network gel, which could be used as a wound dressing since it can provide moist environment to a wound. However, cellulose nanofibers have no antimicrobial activity to prevent wound infection. To achieve antimicrobial activity, the cellulose nanofibers can load cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) particles on the surface. The cuprous oxide is a kind of safe antibacterial material. The copper ions can be reduced into cuprous oxides by reducing agents such as glucose, N₂H₄ and sodium hypophosphite. The cellulose nanofibers network… More >

Kabir Fardad¹, Bahman Najafi¹, Sina Faizollahzadeh Ardabili¹, Amir Mosavi^2,3, Shahaboddin Shamshirband,^4,5,*, Timon Rabczuk²

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.55, No.3, pp. 381-392, 2018, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2018.01803

Abstract Glycyrrhiza glabra, Mint, Cuminum cyminum, Lavender and Arctium medicinal are considered as edible plants with therapeutic properties and as medicinal plants in Iran. After extraction process of medicinal plants, residual wastes are not suitable for animal feed and are considered as waste and as an environmental threat. At present there is no proper management of waste of these plants and they are burned or buried. The present study discusses the possibility of biogas production from Glycyrrhiza Glabra Waste (GGW), Mentha Waste (MW), Cuminum Cyminum Waste (CCW), Lavender Waste (LW) and Arctium Waste (AW). 250 g… More >

Weijun Yang^1†, Xiaomin Zhao^2†, Elena Fortunati¹, Franco Dominici¹, Jose M. Kenny¹, Debora Puglia^1*, De-Yi Wang^2*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.5, No.5, pp. 423-434, 2017, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634146

Abstract Presented herein is a deep investigation of the fire, mechanical and thermal performances of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based nanocomposites, which were obtained by combining cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) with various contents of N,N’-diallyl-phenylphosphoricdiamide (P-AA) via a two-steps masterbatch melt extrusion process (glycidyl methacrylate grafting on PLA and CNC premixing with PLA). Results have shown that the value of the limiting oxygen index (LOI) increased to 28.8% and a V-0 rating in UL94 test was obtained when 2 wt% of P-AA was added in the presence of cellulose nanocrystals (3 wt%). The incorporation of CNC induced a decrease More >

Liqing Wei¹, Shupin Luo², Armando G. McDonald², Umesh P. Agarwal¹, Kolby C. Hirth¹, Laurent M. Matuana³, Ronald C. Sabo^1* , Nicole M. Stark^1*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.5, No.5, pp. 410-422, 2017, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634144

Abstract Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are renewable and sustainable filler for polymeric nanocomposites. However, their high hydrophilicity limits their use with hydrophobic polymer for composite materials. In this study, freeze-dried CNCs were modified by transesterification with canola oil fatty acid methyl ester to reduce the hydrophilicity. The transesterified CNCs (CNCFE) were compounded with PLA into nanocomposites. CNCFE with long-chain hydrocarbons plays a role as plasticizer. Increasing CNCFE loadings resulted in clear plasticizing effects. Lower Tg and Tm were achieved for CNCFE-based nanocomposites. Plasticizing nanocomposite melt with CNCFE can mitigate the degradation of CNCs during thermal processing. The More >

Poonam Trivedi¹, Jens Schaller², Jan Gustafsson¹, Pedro Fardim^1,3*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.5, No.5, pp. 400-409, 2017, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634143

Abstract In the present study, we report the supramolecular design of cellulose-sulfonate hydrogel beads by blending water soluble sodium cellulose ethyl sulfonate (CES) with the pretreated cellulose in sodium hydroxide-ureawater solvent system at −6 °C followed by coagulation in the 2M sulfuric acid system. The increasing of CES amount from 10% to 90% had a substantial effect on the viscosity and storage (G′) and loss (G″) moduli of the blended solutions. The CES concentration up to 50% in blends led to the formation of physically stable hydrogels after coagulation in acidic medium at pH-1 and showed… More >