Johannes Fehrmann^1,*, Benoit Belleville¹, Barbara Ozarska¹, Maya Ismayati², Wahyu Dwianto²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.8, pp. 1475-1493, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.053741

Abstract This study explored the thermo-chemical properties of industrial hemp hurd with different provenances, maturity stages, and retting protocols. The findings were then compared to hemp hurd used in the fabrication of citric acid-bonded ultra-low-density hemp hurd particleboard. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to document the variability of the hurd and comprehend the potential impact on biobased composite applications. The choice of cultivar, maturity stage, and processing modality significantly influenced the chemical composition, presence of functional groups, and thermal stability of the hurd. Py-GC/MS revealed substantial variations… More > Graphic Abstract

Selwin Maria Sekar¹, Rajini Nagarajan^1,*, Ponsuriyaprakash Selvakumar², Ismail Sikiru Oluwarotimi³, Kumar Krishnan⁴, Faruq Mohammad⁵, Mohammed Rafi Shaik⁵, Nadir Ayrilmis^6,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.8, pp. 1455-1474, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.052952

Abstract An innovative microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) natural fibre powder-reinforced PLA biocomposite was investigated using the hand lay-up technique. The polymer matrix composite (PMC) samples were prepared by varying the weight percentages (wt.%) of both PLA matrix and MCC reinforcement: pure PLA/100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50 wt.%, respectively. From the results obtained, MCC powder, with its impressive aspect ratio, proved to be an ideal reinforcement for the PLA, exhibiting exceptional mechanical properties. It was evident that the 80:20 wt.% biocomposite sample exhibited the maximum improvement in the tensile, flexural, notched impact, compressive strength and hardness… More >

Wentao Sheng, Xi Lei, Xinjie Chen, Quan Kuang^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.8, pp. 1897-1911, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.052395

Abstract The analysis of chloroplast gene characteristics in Alpinia japonica (Thunb.) Miq. is of great significance for developing relevant genetic resources. The high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatic research were performed to analyze the chloroplast genome characteristics of A. japonica. The total chloroplast genome length of A. japonica was 161,906 bp, with a typical circular tetrameric structure. And 133 genes were annotated, comprising 87 protein-coding, 38 tRNA, and 8 rRNA genes. Furthermore, 22 genes contained two copies, and 18 genes owned introns. Repeat sequence analysis showed that it contains 321 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 37 long segment repeats. Compared with… More >

Mina Amazal^1,*, Soumia Mounir^1,2, Asma Souidi¹, Malika Atigui¹, Slimane Oubeddou¹, Youssef Maaloufa^1,2, Ahmed Aharoune¹

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.20, No.9, pp. 2059-2076, 2024, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2024.050613

Abstract Nowadays, materials with a limited impact on the environment are required in the construction sector. Considering the interesting properties of natural elements such as natural fibers, it seems advantageous to use them to reinforce materials while protecting the environment and guaranteeing economic gain. Along these lines, this research was devoted to studying the effect of untreated natural fibers extracted from the Juncus maritimus plant (from Southern Morocco) on plaster. First, the effect of the percentage of added fibers on the fluidity of the plaster was evaluated by means of the Marsh’s cone method, that is,… More >

Awanda Wira Anggini^1,2, Rita Kartika Sari², Efri Mardawati^3,4, Tati Karliati⁵, Apri Heri Iswanto⁶, Muhammad Adly Rahandi Lubis^1,4,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.7, pp. 1165-1186, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.051854

Abstract More than a century after its initial synthesis, urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins still have dominant applications as adhesives, paints, and coatings. However, formaldehyde in this industry produces formaldehyde emissions that are dangerous to health. Scientists have spent the last decade replacing formaldehyde and phenol with environmentally friendly substances such as glyoxal and tannin to create bio-based adhesives. This review covers recent advances in synthesizing glyoxal tannin-based resins, especially those made from sustainable raw material substitutes and changes made to synthetic processes to improve mechanical properties. The efficacy of using tannin-glyoxal adhesives in producing wood-based composites has… More > Graphic Abstract

Edja Florentin Assanvo^1,*, Kanga Marius N’GATTA¹, Kicoun Jean-Yves N’zi Touré^1,2,3, Amenan Sylvie Konan⁴, David Boa⁴

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.41, No.2, pp. 55-68, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2024.055397

Abstract The present study focused on extraction of Lonchocarpus cyanescens (L. cyanescens) fiber (LCF) and the physico-chemical properties of the obtained fiber. The fiber was extracted by manual and traditional rating methods, treated with sodium hydroxide, and characterized to determine its performance properties. The chemical composition of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin was determined according to the acid detergent, neutral detergent, and Klason methods, respectively. The results show significant quantities of cellulose (33%), hemicellulose (30%), and lignin (24%) in the studied fibers. LCF exhibited a porous multicellular and poly lamellate network structure (FE-SEM) with a crystallinity index of 56.5%. More >

Yu Luo^1,2,3, Mengna Zong^1,2,3, Jin Wang^1,2,3, Xuechun Wang^1,2,3, Bo Bai^1,2,3,*, Chunyu Zhou^1,2,3,*, Junlin Zhu^1,2,3, Jianyu Xing^1,2,3, Moses M. C. Carlon Jr^1,2,3

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.41, No.2, pp. 87-103, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2024.054660

Abstract In this research, we developed a novel photo-stimulation-responsive composite sphere with a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) structure, synthesized via an alkali gel method, to enhance the efficiency of agrochemicals. Chitosan (CS) serves as the structural matrix and protective shell, with a loading capacity for the plant growth hormone indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) of up to 41.73 μg/mg, effectively controlling the abrupt release of auxin. The incorporation of photothermal detonation nanodiamond (DND) and the photosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) endows the spheres with the ability to respond to light and temperature stimuli, achieving intelligent control over IBA release. Characterization… More >

Abhishek Kumar Patel, Ashlesha P. Kawale, Neeru Sharma, Nishant Shekhar, Subhash Banerjee^*, Arti Srivastava^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.41, No.2, pp. 69-86, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2024.052695

Abstract This study aims to synthesize, characterize, and evaluate the photocatalytic efficiency of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) wrapped ZnONPs for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under sunlight and also focuses on the effect of varying calcination temperatures on crystallite size of the synthesized ZnONPs@CMC. It focuses on developing biopolymer (CMC) wrapped ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs@CMC) at different calcination temperatures. ZnONPs@CMC are synthesized using zinc acetate dihydrate as a precursor under alkaline conditions, followed by adding capping agent CMC at various calcination temperatures ranging from 250°C to 650°C. The nanomaterials are characterized by UV-Vis, FTIR, and powder… More >

Deni Fajar Fitriyana^1,2,*, Rifky Ismail^1,3,*, Athanasius Priharyoto Bayuseno¹, Januar Parlaungan Siregar^4,5, Tezara Cionita⁶

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.6, pp. 1145-1163, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.052165

Abstract Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a bio ceramic commonly utilized in bone tissue engineering due to its bioactive and osteoconductive properties. Crab shells are usually disregarded as waste material despite their significant CaCO content, and have not been widely utilized in the synthesis of HA. This study aims to synthesize and analyze HA derived from crab shells using the hydrothermal method with different durations of holding time. This study utilized precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) derived from crab shells. With a hydrothermal reactor set at 160°C and varying holding times of 14 (HA_14), 16 (HA_16), and 18 (HA_18)… More > Graphic Abstract

Sana Rezig^*, Foued Khoffi, Mounir Jaouadi, Asma Eloudiani, Slah Msahli

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.6, pp. 1071-1086, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.049935

Abstract Plant derived natural fibers have been widely investigated as alternatives to synthetic fibers in reinforcing polymers. Researchers over the years have explored many plant fibers using different extraction processes to study their physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. In this context, the present study relates to the extraction, characterization, and optimization of Typha angustata L. stem fibers. For this purpose, desirability functions and response surface methodology were applied to simultaneously optimize the diameter (D), linear density (LD); yield (Y), lignin fraction (L), and tenacity (T) of Typha stem fibers. Typha stems have been subjected to both alkali (NaOH) and enzymatic… More > Graphic Abstract