Zhenqing Shi¹, Guomin Sun¹, Jianyong Pang^2,*

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.17, No.3, pp. 239-255, 2023, DOI:10.32604/sdhm.2023.022816

Abstract Applying recycled concrete for engineered projects not only protects the ecological environment but also improves the utilization rate of waste concrete to satisfy sustainable development requirements. However, the mechanical properties of recycled concrete are not as good as those of ordinary concrete. To enhance the former’s performance and increase its popularity and application in engineering fields, notable advances have been made by using steel, synthetic, plant, and mineral fiber materials. These materials are added to recycled concrete to improve its mechanical properties. Studies have shown that (1) steel fibers have a distinct reinforcing effect and improve the strength, toughness, and… More >

Qiushi Li^1,2,#, Ronggang Luo^1,2,#, Yu Chen³, Jinhui Xiong³, Bei Qiao¹, Xijuan Chai^1,2, Linkun Xie^1,2, Juan Wang³, Lianpeng Zhang^1,2,*, Siqun Wang⁴, Guanben Du^1,2, Kaimeng Xu^1,2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2809-2822, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.026184

Abstract To overcome the shortage of wood resources as well as to develop novel natural fibers materials, the Chimonobambusa quadrangularis (CQ) and Qiongzhuea tumidinoda (QT) planted in Southwest China were effectively isolated by the steam explosion (SE). The fine and uniform bamboo microfibers derived from CQ and QT were obtained, and their smallest average widths were 12.62 μm and 16.05 μm, respectively. The effects of steam explosion on the micro-morphology, chemical composition, thermal stability, crystallinity, surface wettability, and mechanical properties of bamboo microfibers were comprehensively investigated. The results showed that the relative content of cellulose in bamboo microfibers increased but the… More > Graphic Abstract

Nina Graupner^1,*, Thiprada Poonsawat², Koranat Narkpiban^3,4, Jörg Müssig¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.5, pp. 2279-2300, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.025529

Abstract Thailand has a huge variability of bast fiber plants, some of which have been little researched regarding their applicability in composites. Bast fiber(bundle)s from different species were investigated and incorporated into a polylactide (PLA) matrix by injection molding. Hemp and kenaf were used as well-studied fibers, while roselle, Fryxell and paper mulberry are less extensively characterized. Tensile strength, tensile modulus and interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of single fiber(bundle)s were highest for hemp, followed by kenaf, roselle, Fryxell and paper mulberry. Despite the lower tensile strength and IFSS of paper mulberry, the highest tensile strength was achieved for the paper mulberry/PLA… More > Graphic Abstract

Ahmad S. Awad^1.*, Banan Hudaib², Waid Omar²

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.19, No.6, pp. 1535-1549, 2023, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2023.024300

Abstract In this study, the potential of a low-cost bio-adsorbent, taken directly from Date Palm Trunk Fibers (DPTF) agricultural wastes, for cadmium ions removal from wastewaters is examined. The performances of this adsorbent are evaluated by building breakthrough curves at different bed heights and flow rates while keeping other parameters, such as the initial feed concentration, pH, and particle size, constant. The results indicate that the maximum cadmium adsorption capacity of DTPF can be obtained from the Thomas model as 51.5 mg/g with the most extended mass transfer zone of 83 min at the lowest flow rate at 5 ml/min. The… More > Graphic Abstract

Yuanjia Xia, Fang Zhao^*, Zhizun Li, Zhaogang Cheng, Jianwei Hu

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.2, pp. 921-936, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.022840

Abstract Sn_1−xEr_xO₂ (x = 0%, 8%, 16%, 24%) micro/nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning combined with heat treatment using erbium nitrate, stannous chloride and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as raw materials. The target products were characterized by thermogravimetric analyzer, X-ray diffrotometer, fourier transform infrared spectrometer, scanning electron microscope, spectrophotometer and infrared emissivity tester, and the effects of Er³⁺ doping on its infrared and laser emissivity were studied. At the same time, the Sn_1−xEr_xO₂ (x = 0%, 16%) doping models were constructed based on the first principles of density functional theory, and the related optoelectronic properties such as their energy band structure, density of states,… More >

Arnaud Nicollin¹, Xinjun Li¹, Pierre Girods¹, Antonio Pizzi^1,2,*, Yann Rogaume¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 311-316, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634124

Abstract Experimental investigations have been carried out on the potential use of tannin-furfuryl alcohol resin for biobased composites using vegetal fi ber reinforcement. Results showed that a mixture containing 54% furfuryl alcohol, 45% modifi ed quebracho extract and 0.9% paratoluenesulfonic acid as a catalyst yields a resin that can be used with a nonwoven fl ax fi ber mat to manufacture lightweight composites with good mechanical properties and a very short curing time with a regular hot press. The panels made were tested for tensile and fl exural modulus and strength, water resistance and thermo-degradation. More >

Pushpa Bhardwaj¹, Susheel Kalia^2,3,*, Amit Kumar¹, Hemant Mittal⁴

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 302-310, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634123

Abstract The objective of the present study is to elucidate the effect of peroxide treatment and graft copolymerization on water absorption behavior of soy protein fi bers in order to make them suitable as a reinforcing material. Grafting of poly(methyl acrylate) and copolymers was successfully carried out on peroxide-treated soy protein fi bers. Different reaction parameters were optimized in order to get maximum percentage grafting. The grafted fi bers were evaluated for water absorption behavior in deionized water. Maximum grafting has been found at 0.219 mol/l of methyl acrylate, 0.0096:0.145 mol/l of FAS:H₂O₂ , 323 K, and 90minutes. Graft copolymerization results… More >

Philippe Evon^1,2,*, Ika A. Kartika³, Luc Rigal^1,2

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.2, No.1, pp. 52-65, 2014, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634131

Abstract The infl uence of thermo-pressing conditions on the mechanical properties of particleboards obtained from Jatropha press cakes was evaluated in this study. Conditions such as molding temperature and press cake oil content were included. All particleboards were cohesive, with proteins and fibers acting respectively as binder and reinforcing fillers. Generally, it was the molding temperature that most affected particleboard mechanical properties. The most resistant boards were obtained using 200°C molding temperature. Glass transition of proteins then occurred during molding, resulting in effective wetting of the fi bers. At this optimal molding temperature, the best compromise between fl exural properties (7.2… More >

Alicia Mujica-Garcia^1,2, Iván Navarro-Baena¹, José Maria Kenny^1,2, Laura Peponi^2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.2, No.1, pp. 23-34, 2014, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634130

Abstract The main aim of this research is the production of different biopolymeric fi bers by electrospinning and the determination of the optimum working parameters for each polymer analyzed. In particular, three different biopolymers have been studied: poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and a synthesized poly(ester-urethane) based on a synthesized PLA-b-PCL-b-PLA tri-block copolymer. This research is focused on the analysis of the infl uence of the processing parameters, such as the concentration and fl ow-rate of the polymer solution and the applied voltage, as well as the physico-chemical properties of the polymers used, on the fi ber formation and crystallization behavior.… More >

Alvaro Iregui¹, Lourdes Irusta^1,*, Loli Martin², Alba González¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.3, No.1, pp. 44-48, 2015, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2014.634128

Abstract In this work, solution electrospinning technique was used to produce biodegradable fi bers using a commercially available polyester (Ecofl ex F Blend C1200). These materials (mats) could be of potential interest in tissue engineering. The effect of polymer concentration and the solvent nature on the obtained morphology was related to the wettability of the mat, characterized by water contact angle measurements. According to the results, the electrospun mats presented water contact angles characteristic of hydrophobic surfaces. More >