D. Vassilev^1,*, N. Petkova², M. Koleva¹, P. Denev²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.7, pp. 707-714, 2018, DOI:10.32604/JRM.2018.00015

Abstract The paper presents the findings of an experimental study on the microwave synthesis (MW) of inulin acetate and its possible application as bio-additive in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). The obtained inulin acetate has been identified and characterized by spectroscopic methods. Advantages of the MW compared with the conventional synthesis were defined. In order to evaluate possible application of the product as bio-based additive for polymers, effect of the inulin ester on PVC behavior and characteristics has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and deformation upon extension. Experimental results show that in concentration range up to 30.0 wt. % the inulin… More >

Hynek Beneš, Aleksandra Paruzel*, Jiří Hodan and Olga Trhlíková

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.7, pp. 697-706, 2018, DOI:10.32604/JRM.2018.00011

Abstract In this study, castor oil, rapeseed oil and medium chain triglycerides of coconut oil, were transesterified by means of 2-ethyl-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol (trimethylolpropane) and consequently used to convert polycarbonate waste from end-of-life vehicles into liquid polyols. The prepared recycled polyols, composed uniquely of renewable and recycled components, had a hydroxyl number of ca. 250 mg KOH·g−1. They were successfully applied as 100% replacement of a virgin polyol for preparation of solid crosslinked polyurethanes (PU) by solvent-free casting. The produced rigid cast PU exhibited the main transition temperature ranging from 44°C to 53°C, the hardness value from 46 to 61 Shore D and… More >

Fouad LAOUTID^1,*, Valeriia KARASEVA¹, Lucie COSTES^{1, 2}, Sylvain BROHEZ², Rosica MINCHEVA¹, Philippe DUBOIS¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.6, pp. 559-572, 2018, DOI:10.32604/JRM.2018.00004

Abstract In this study, tannic acid (TA) was investigated as flame retardant agent for PLA. Different strategies to modify its thermal degradation pathway have been explored in order to improve its charring effect. The first one consists in combining TA with organomodified montmorillonite (oMMT), and enables limiting the thermo-oxidative degradation of TA and promoting the formation of an effective char layer. Flame-retardant (FR) behavior of PLA-based composition has been found to be positively impacted by this combination since a reduction of the peak of Heat Release Rate (PHRR), more important than the value recorded when oMMT and tannic acid are used… More >