N. J. Lee, C.R. Welch¹

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.13, No.1, pp. 11-12, 2009, DOI:10.3970/icces.2009.013.011

Abstract Carbon nanotubes have significant potential as the basis for super infrastructure material. The shear modulus of carbon nanotube ensembles is relatively low, comparable to graphite, as the carbon nanotubes interact via weak van der Waals forces. Unmodified, their intermolecular interactions are insufficient to take full advantage of the extraordinarily high strengths predicted for carbon nanotube-based fibers. Thus, a key to their use in high-strength materials is developing strong bonds between these molecules. In this study, we examine the potential development of covalent bonds between carbon nanotube pairs cross-bonded by proton bombardment using molecular dynamics simulation. Covalent bond formation between aligned… More >

L. Roy Xu¹, Charles M. Lukehart², Lang Li², Huacheng Kuai¹

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.3, No.1, pp. 9-14, 2007, DOI:10.3970/icces.2007.003.009

Abstract Graphitic carbon nanofibers were used to reinforce epoxy resin to form nanocomposite adhesive bonding. Good dispersion and polymer wetting of the GCNF component is evident on the nanoscale. Tensile and shear joint strength measurements were conducted for metal-metal and polymer-polymer joints using pure epoxy and nanocomposite bonding. Very little bonding strength increase, or some bonding strength decrease, was measured. More >

Joyce de P. Cipriano², N. C. Zanini¹, I. R. Dantas¹, D. R. Mulinari^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.10, pp. 1047-1053, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.00001

Abstract The use of natural fibers as an additive in polymeric matrices has attracted interest of the automotive industries, for its low cost, mechanical properties, biodegradability and lightness. However, the hydrophilic nature of the fiber makes polymer compatibility difficult. Fiber surface treatments can be used to enhance the fiber/matrix interface. In the present work, polypropylene (PP) composites reinforced with fibers from macadamia nutshell were obtained and characterized. Macadamia nutshell fibers were treated by an alkaline treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH 4%) to improve adhesion between fibers and matrix. Fibers were characterized by techniques of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction… More >

M. Khennache^1,*, A. Mahieu¹, M. Ragoubi¹, S. Taibi¹, C. Poilâne², N. Leblanc¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.9, pp. 821-838, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.06772

Abstract In France, the use of flax fibers as reinforcement in composite materials is growing exponentially in the automotive sector, thanks to their good physicochemical properties, environmental reasons, health neutrality and due to the European Council Directives on the reuse, recycling and valorization of car components and materials. The aim of our study is to investigate biochemical, physicochemical, and mechanical properties of technical flax fibers to evaluate the impact of transformation processes (scutching, hackling, and homogenization) on final properties of associated composite materials. Different chemical analysis such as Van Soest (biochemical fraction measurement), FTIR (Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy), and XRD (X-ray… More >

Daniel Scida^1,*, Sébastien Alix¹, Stéphane Buet¹, El Hadi Saidane¹, François Courmont^1,2, Karim Behlouli², Rezak Ayad¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.9, pp. 865-875, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.06609

Abstract This work aims at studying the effect of hygrothermal and UV cyclic aging on the tensile properties and esthetic characteristics of non-woven composites. The composite materials were thermo-compressed from non-woven mats made up of PP and flax or kenaf fibers. This works included evaluating the change in color appearance and analyzing the variations in tensile properties and damage mechanisms, depending on the aging time. The presence of the UV protection film on the composite surface showed its effectiveness against aging. From visual observations and measurement of colorimetric parameters, it has been proved effective in the reduction of the bleaching and… 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 >

Le Van Hai^1,2, Lindong Zhai¹, Hyun Chan Kim¹, Jung Woong Kim¹, Jaehwan Kim^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.7, pp. 621-629, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.06466

Abstract This paper reports green nanocomposites made by blending polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with cellulose nanofiber (CNF) isolated from recycled deinked copy/printing paper (DIP). The reinforcement effect of DIPCNF in the nanocomposites is compared with other CNFs isolated from native cotton and hardwood by means of TEMPO-oxidation. The prepared PVA-CNF nanocomposites are characterized in terms of morphology, chemical interaction, structural, thermal and mechanical properties. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirm the reinforcing ability of cellulose nanofibers into PVA. By blending CNFs into PVA matrix, the thermal stability of the nanocomposites is improved and DIPCNF shows similar enhancement effect with COCNF… 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 >

Noureddine Baaka^1,*, Manel Ben Ticha^1,2, Wafa Haddar^1,3, Mohamed Farouk Mhenni¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.3, pp. 289-300, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.04355

Abstract Acrylic fibres are highly crystalline and non-polar polymers, which makes their dyeing a very difficult step that poses real technical challenges. In order to overcome this concern, it is intended in this paper to modify acrylic fibers by different methods namely cationisation using the Crosscolor DRT then amidoximation using hydroxylamine hydrochloride and ammonium acetate. The resulted samples were dyed then with the bio-colorant extracted from grape marc. The effect of the pretreatment on fibers fine structure using X-ray diffraction and the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and its correlation with the colour strength of the dyed fabrics was investigated. The… More >

Daniel Cônsoli Silveira^1,*, Tiago Teixeira da Silva Braga¹, Daniel Molina Gil¹, Newton Adriano dos Santos Gomes², Lilia Müller Guerrini³, Edson Cocchieri Botelho¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.7, No.3, pp. 279-287, 2019, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2019.01834

Abstract This study investigated and defined the optimal processing parameters for the electrospinning of polysulfone polymer solutions with N,N-dimethylacetamide. Variation of parameters such as solute concentration, electrical voltage, and working distance were correlated with the quality of the obtained nanofibers using morphological characterization via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Carbonyl iron additive was dispersed in the polymer solutions, using ultrasonic tip, and the material processed via electrospinning with aforementioned parameters defined. Nanofibers with the property of interaction with electromagnetic waves were obtained. The dispersion of different concentrations of the additive and electromagnetic characterizations in the X-band of microwaves (8.2 and 12.4 GHz),… More >