Atikur Rahman^1,3, Chad A. Ulven², Maren A. Johnson¹, Cheyenne Durant¹, Khwaja G. Hossain^*,1

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.5, Suppl.1, pp. 62-73, 2017, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634133

Abstract Wheat bran, abundant but underutilized, was investigated for its potential as a reinforcement in biocomposites through different pretreatment methods. Pretreatment methods included were dilute sodium hydroxide (NaOH), dilute sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), liquid hot water (LHW), calcium hydroxide (CaOH), organosolv such as aqueous ethanol (EtOH), and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). Changes in chemical composition and fiber characteristics of the treated bran were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Cellulose content increased to 35.1% and 29.6% in brans treated with H₂SO₄ and NaOH, respectively. The SEM micrographs showed surface cleaning of treated bran while maintaining sufficient… More >

Narsimha Pandi¹, Shirish H. Sonawane^1,*, Sarang P. Gumfekar², Anand Kishore Kola¹, Pramod H. Borse³, Swapnil B. Ambade⁴, Sripadh Guptha¹, Muthupandian Ashokkumar⁵

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.12, pp. 1279-1293, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.07609

Abstract The present study deals with the intensified synthesis of starchpolyaniline (starch-PANI) nanocomposite using an ultrasound-assisted method. Starch is a key component in this nanocomposite, which acts as a backbone of the nucleation of PANI. The Electrochemical property of the nanocomposite arises due to the addition of PANI. This is one of green approach for the synthesis of bio nanocomposite using ultrasound. The crystallinity of the composite is evaluated using the Scherrer Formula. The starch-PANI nanocomposite was characterized by XRD, FT-IR, Raman, XPS and TEM. The composite nanoparticles show spherical morphology. The elemental composition of starch-PANI showed O 1s peak at… More >

T. Dipin¹, T. V. Jinitha¹, E. Purushothaman^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.11, pp. 1109-1119, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.07636

Abstract The present work mainly focuses on the estimation of various components and the extraction of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from non- wood sources like Country Almond/Badam shell through acid hydrolysis. This hydrolyzed MCC was successfully used as reinforcement for development of biocomposites. Country Almond/Badam trees are found all over Kerala, India and they give nuts once in a year. Usually the nut shells are discarded and are becoming one of the sources of agricultural waste. During this investigation various components were isolated from the Country Almond shells and they were characterised using different spectral and analytical techniques thereby the composition of… More >

María G. Passaretti^1,2,*, Mario D. Ninago^3,4, Cecilia I. Paulo⁵, Horacio A. Petit⁵, Edgardo F. Irassarc⁵, Daniel A. Vega⁶, Marcelo A. Villar^1,2, Olivia V. López¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.4, pp. 393-402, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.04281

Abstract Granite stone is a by-product of the rock crushing manufacturing. An industrial waste in powder form that causes health problems and environmental pollution. Fine particles fraction can be used as a partial replacement of sand in concrete manufacture. In this work, an alternative exploitation of this waste fraction is proposed. Granite sand (GS) with particles mean size of ~1 μm was employed as thermoplastic starch (TPS) filler at different concentrations. Biocomposites were obtained by melt-mixing and thermo-compression, achieving translucent and easy to handle films. A good GS dispersion within the matrix was evidenced by SEM. Mineral presence induced a shift… More >

Mohammed Mohammed¹, Bashir O. Betar², Rozyanty Rahman¹, Aeshah M. Mohammed³, Azlin F. Osman¹, Muhammed Jaafar⁴, Tijjani Adam^5,*, Omar S. Dahham⁵, Uda Hashim⁶, Nik Z. Noriman⁵

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.10, pp. 967-982, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.07562

Abstract Increasing need for materials with special features have brought various new inventions, one of the most promising hope for new material with special features and functionalities is composites materials. Thus, this study report an integration of zinc nanoparticles into kenaf/polyester polymer composite to introduce new behavior to the composite. The composite behaviors were compared for mechanical, thermal, moisture absorption and biodegradability properties. Prepared Zinc Oxide nanoparticles entrenched in the kenaf/polyestaer composites net structure through chemical bonds between kenaf/ZnO/polyester resin, existence of ZnO significantly influence the mechanical and thermals properties of composites. Thermal analysis based on (TGA) response revealed the integration… More >

Fatma Kharrat¹, Rania Chaari¹, Mohamed Khlif¹, Loic Hilliou², José A. Covas², Mohamed Haboussi^3,*, Hedi Nouri¹, Chedly Bradai¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.9, pp. 891-901, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.06827

Abstract Biocomposite films prepared with melt compounding and film blowing have become a new trend in plastic research to deliver more eco-friendly packages. Polylactic acid (PLA) was melt compounded with minimally processed date palm leaf fiber (DPLF) and converted into films by blown film extrusion. The compounding was done in order to enhance the film mechanical properties in one hand, and to decrease the film production cost in the other hand. In this present study, a reference PLA film and films with 1%, 2%, and 5% of DPLF (weight %) were produced with different process parameters. The spatial variations in films… More >

Abeer M. Adel¹, Amira M. El-Shafei², Atef A. Ibrahim¹, Mona T. Al-Shemy^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.6, pp. 567-582, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.00034

Abstract In this study, nanocrystalline celluloses were used to enhance physical, mechanical and water vapor barrier properties of chitosan films for potential food packaging applications. Two different mineral acids (sulfuric and phosphoric) were used to extract nanocrystalline cellulose from date palm sheath fibers. The influence of cellulose I and cellulose II on the properties of the isolated nanocrystalline celluloses (e.g., yield, energy and length of intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds, and degree of substitution) were studied too. The characteristics of chitosan biocomposite film with phosphorylated nanocrystalline cellulose were compared to those with sulfated nanocrystalline cellulose. Results showed that besides cellulose polymorphism,… More >

Nantharat Phruksaphithak^1,*, Chalermkiet Kaewnun², Sompong O-Thong²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.5, pp. 493-504, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.00020

Abstract A new biocomposite was preformed between bacterial cellulose (BC) pellicle and polyethylene glycol (PEG) at different concentrations (0%, 5, 10%, 15% and 20%) and different molecular weight (600, 1000 and 2000). The structure and mechanical properties of BC/PEG biocomposite were investigated. The results indicated that the properties of the BC were improved by the addition of PEG. The morphology of the BC and BC/PEG blend was examined by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). These showed that PEG was coated with a large pore size fibril on the BC and the BC/PEG was dense with an even and smooth surface. All… More >

Galia Moreno, Karla Ramirez, Marianelly Esquivel, Guillermo Jimenez*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.1, pp. 9-20, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.00017

Abstract Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composite films reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) extracted from pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) were prepared by a solution casting procedure. In an attempt to improve the interaction between PLA and cellulose, two approaches were adopted; first, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was used as a surfactant, and second, the cellulosic fibers were pre-treated using tert-butanol (TBA). Lignocellulosic and cellulosic substrates were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), and thermogravimetrical analysis (TGA). MCC from PALF showed good thermal stability, left few residues after decomposing, and exhibited high crystallinity index. Mechanical, thermal and thermomechanical properties of the… More >

Marcin Masłowski*, Justyna Miedzianowska and Krzysztof Strzelec

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.7, pp. 746-754, 2018, DOI:10.32604/JRM.2018.00121

Abstract Novel elastomer biocomposites based on straw fibers (raw or chemically modified) as reinforcing elements of natural rubber (NR) were reported and studied. Oat straw fibres with different average lengths were used. Lignocellulose materials were incorporated into the elastomer, before and after chemical surface modification involving sodium hydroxide. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and microscopy techniques were employed for characterization of fillers. The kinetics of rubber mixtures, as well as rheometric properties of compounds were determined. The cross-linking density was executed on the basis of equilibrium solvent-swelling measurements applying the modified Flory–Rehner equation. The morphology of biocomposites samples was analyzed by… More >