João Vitor Dorini Falavinha¹, Pedro Henrique Gonzales De Cademartori², Philippe Gérardin¹, Antonio Pizzi¹, Christine Gérardin-Charbonnier^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.4, pp. 687-697, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.058902 - 21 April 2025

Abstract Tannins are polyphenols widely present in the plant kingdom, commonly divided into two groups: condensed and hydrolysable tannins. Sustainable furanic bio-foams based on condensed tannins have been largely studied, but little is described about the use of hydrolysable tannins for this material. This study examined the potential of hydrolysable chestnut tannin in comparison to condensed mimosa tannins to produce furanic foams by chemical expansion. Due to the low reactivity of the hydrolysable tannin, the use of an external source for its polymerization and curing was necessary. Through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) chromatography, it was More > Graphic Abstract

Jinxing Li¹, Mustafa Zor², Xiaojian Zhou³, Guanben Du³, Denis Rodrigue⁴, Xiaodong (Alice) Wang^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.2, pp. 329-347, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.056795 - 20 February 2025

Abstract In this study, two series of foams based on tannic acid (TA), furfuryl alcohol (FA), soybean protein isolate (SPI), and casein (CA), namely TA–FA–SPI (TS series) and TA–FA–CA (TC series) were developed, and their properties were enhanced by adding poplar fibers (WF). From the samples produced, a complete set of characterization was performed including possible crosslinking reactions, morphology, mechanical properties, flame retardancy, thermal insulation and thermal stability. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed possible covalent crosslinking among the components and hydrogen bonding between WF and the matrix. Viscosity results indicated that lower prepolymer viscosity led to… More >

Manisara Phiriyawirut^*, Pukrapee Rodprasert, Peerapat Kulvorakulpitak, Ratiwan Cothsila, Nattarat Kengkla

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.1, pp. 101-114, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.056830 - 20 January 2025

Abstract This work explores the development of biodegradable laminar composite foams for cushioning applications. The focus lies on overcoming the inherent brittleness of starch foams by incorporating various paper types as reinforcement. Tapioca starch and glutinous starch were blended in varying ratios (100:0–0:100) to optimize the base material’s properties. The morphology, density, flexural strength, and impact strength of these starch blends were evaluated. The results revealed a trade-off between impact strength and density, with increasing glutinous starch content favoring impact resistance but also leading to higher density. The optimal ratio of tapioca to glutinous starch for… More > Graphic Abstract

Tanyawan Suwandecha¹, Supachai Pisuchpen^2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.11, pp. 1811-1836, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.056334 - 22 November 2024

Abstract This study investigated the development of mycelium-based biofoams as sustainable cushioning materials using Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus squarrosulus, combined with different sawdust substrates, and subjected to various pressing methods. The results indicated significant effects of mushroom species, sawdust type, and pressing method on the properties of biofoams. Growth rate, morphology, chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties, water resistance, and cushioning factor were evaluated. The results indicated that Lentinus squarrosulus (LS) exhibited faster growth rates (up to 14.37 mm/day) and produced biofoams with superior properties compared to Pleurotus ostreatus (PO). Core wood (CW) sawdust generally resulted in biofoams with lower… More > Graphic Abstract

Laima Vevere^*, Beatrise Sture, Vladimir Yakushin, Mikelis Kirpluks, Ugis Cabulis

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 585-602, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.047350 - 11 April 2024

Abstract Cryogenic insulation material rigid polyurethane (PU) foams were developed using bio-based and recycled feedstock. Polyols obtained from tall oil fatty acids produced as a side stream of wood biomass pulping and recycled polyethylene terephthalate were used to develop rigid PU foam formulations. The 4th generation physical blowing agents with low global warming potential and low ozone depletion potential were used to develop rigid PU foam cryogenic insulation with excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Obtained rigid PU foams had a thermal conductivity coefficient as low as 0.0171 W/m·K and an apparent density of 37–40 kg/m³. The developed… More > Graphic Abstract

Elham Azadeh¹, Ummi Hani Abdullah^2,3, Christine Gerardin^1,*, Antonio Pizzi^1,*, Philippe Gerardin¹, Cesar Segovia⁴

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.10, pp. 3625-3645, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.030373 - 10 August 2023

Abstract Water repellant, flexible biofoams using tannin esterified with various fatty acid chains, namely lauric, palmitic and oleic acids, by reaction with lauryl chloride, palmitoyl chloride, and oleyl chloride were developed and their characteristics compared with the equivalently esterified rigid biofoams. Glycerol, while initially added to control the reaction temperature, was used as a plasticizer yielding flexible biofoams presenting the same water repellant character that the equivalent rigid foams. Acetaldehyde was used as the cross-linking agent instead of formaldehyde, as it showed a better performance with the esterified tannin. The compression results showed a significant decrease… More >

Elham Azadeh¹, Antonio Pizzi^1,2,*, Christine Gerardin-Charbonnier^1,*, Philippe Gerardin¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2823-2848, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.027651 - 27 April 2023

Abstract Non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) foams from a commercial hydrolysable tannin extract, chestnut wood tannin extract, have been prepared to determine what chemical species and products are taking part in the reactions involved. This method is based on two main steps: the reaction with dimethyl carbonate and the formation of urethane bonds by further reaction of the carbonated tannin with a diamine-like hexamethylene diamine. The hydroxyl groups on the tannin polyphenols and on the carbohydrates intimately linked with it and part of a hydrolysable tannin are the groups involved in these reactions. The carbohydrate skeleton of the… More > Graphic Abstract

Weishan Tang, Xin Feng, Caiyun Lin, Xiaoping Rao^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.2, pp. 523-538, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.022809 - 22 September 2022

Abstract Environment friendly and intelligent surfactants have attracted great attention in recent years. A bio-based CO₂ responsive surfactant rosin acid dimaleimide choline (R-BMI-C) with an extremely rigid skeleton was prepared using rosin and choline as raw materials by Diels-Alder addition reaction and acid-base neutralization reactions. Its structure was confirmed by IR and ¹H NMR spectra. The foams’ properties of R-BMI-C could be adjusted by bubbling CO₂/N₂ to change the structure of the surfactant. At pH 10.4, R-BMI-C forms an unstable foam with a half-life of 1.5 h. When the pH was reduced to 7.4 by bubbling CO₂, R-BMI-C… More > Graphic Abstract

Elham Azadeh¹, Xinyi Chen², Antonio Pizzi^2,*, Christine Gérardin¹, Philip Gérardin¹, Hisham Essawy³

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.12, pp. 3217-3227, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.022740 - 14 July 2022

Abstract Non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) foams using a hydrolysable tannin, also vulgarly called tannic acid, namely here commercial chestnut wood tannin extract was prepared. Compression strength did not appear to depend on the foam apparent density while the formulation composition of the NIPU foams has been shown to be more determinant. These NIPU foams appeared to be self-extinguishing once the high temperature flame is removed. The ignition time gave encouraging results but for improved fire resistance the foams may need some fire-retardant addition. FTIR spectrometry showed the formation of non-isocyanate urethane linkages. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a good More >

Yuya Hanaoka^1,*, Taku Itoh², Kohei Tateyama³, Susumu Nakata⁴, Keiko Watanabe³

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.132, No.1, pp. 43-53, 2022, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2022.016831 - 02 June 2022

Abstract This study evaluates the performance of a model of open-cell metal foams generated by sphere functions. To this end, an electromagnetic shield constructed from the model was inserted between two horn antennas in an electromagnetic wave propagation simulation. The foam-hole diameter in the electromagnetic shield model was varied as d = 2.5 and 5.0 mm, and the frequency of the electromagnetic waves was varied from 3 to 13 GHz. In the numerical experiments of shield effectiveness, the shields with foam holes of both diameters attenuated the electromagnetic waves across the studied frequency range. The shield effectiveness More >