Andrea Morelli, Dario Puppi, Federica Chiellini^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.2, pp. 83-112, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2012.634106

Abstract Polymers, particularly those susceptible to undergoing biodegradation under physiological environments, can be considered the materials of choice for biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and controlled and targeted drug delivery. The development of these relatively new fi elds of biomedical research represents the driving force towards the exploitation of renewable resources for the obtainment of biobased polymeric biomaterials. This perspective article reports on the biomedical applications of three major categories of biobased polymeric materials obtained from renewable resources, namely, polysaccharides, proteins and polyesters of natural origins. Particular emphasis is given to biobased polymers that display only minor modifi… More >

Donglin Tang^1,2, Shanmugam Thiyagarajan^2,3, Bart A.J. Noordover^1,*, Cor E. Koning¹, Daan S. van Es³, Jacco van Haveren

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.3, pp. 222-230, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634116

Abstract A series of fully renewable poly(ester urethane urea)s (PEUs) were synthesized from bio-based starting materials, e.g., the polyester diol, the diisocyanates including L-lysine diisocyanate (LDI) and isoidide diisocyanate (IIDI), the chain-extenders including 1,4-diaminobutane (bDA), diaminoisoidide (iDA) and di(aminobutyl) urea (b2 DA). It is found that the PEU based on the novel diisocyanate, IIDI, exhibits satisfactory thermal and mechanical properties. The LDI-based PEUs show less favorable thermal and mechanical properties than the IIDI-based counterpart, since the chemical structure of LDI is less regular than that of IIDI. However, by introducing a urea-containing dimeric diamine (b2 DA) instead of the monomeric diamines,… More >

Belén Begines, Francisca Zamora, M. Violante de Paz, Isaac Roffé, Manuel Mancera, Juan A. Galbis^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.3, pp. 212-221, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634119

Abstract A batch of linear [m,n]-type sugar-based polyureas was synthesized by polyaddition reaction in solution from hexamethylene diisocyanate or 4,4’-methylene-bis(phenyl isocyanate) with the acyclic 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-1,5- diamino-alditols having L-arabino, or xylo confi guration or the bicyclic 1,6-diamino-1,6-dideoxy-2,4:3,5-diO-methylene-D-glucitol. The polymers were obtained in good yields and fair molecular weights. All these polyureas were semicrystalline materials showing well-defi ned melting transition within the 86−171°C range, with T_g s being dependent on the aliphatic or aromatic nature of the diisocyanate used, and on the cyclic or acyclic chemical structure of the sugar moiety. They were found to be stable up to around 240°C, decomposing at… More >

Yanxia Zhang¹, Tiina Nypelö^1,*, Carlos Salas¹, Julio Arboleda¹, Ingrid C. Hoeger^1,*, Orlando J. Rojas^1,2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.3, pp. 195-211, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634115

Abstract Cellulose nanofi brils (CNF), also known as nanofi brillar cellulose (NFC), are an advanced biomaterial made mainly from renewable forest and agricultural resources that have demonstrated exceptional performance in composites. In addition, they have been utilized in barrier coatings, food, transparent fl exible fi lms and other applications. Research on CNF has advanced rapidly over the last decade and several of the fundamental questions about production and characterization of CNF have been addressed. An interesting shift in focus in the recent reported literature indicates increased efforts aimed at taking advantage of the unique properties of CNF. This includes its nanoscale… More >

Rodolfo J. González-Paz, Gerard Lligadas^*, Juan C. Ronda, Marina Galià, Virginia Cádiz

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.3, pp. 187-194, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634114

Abstract A thiol-reactive linear polyurethane was synthesized from a vinyl-sulphide-containing diol and a commercial diisocyanate. The diol was obtained from 10-undecynol, an alkyne-derivatized fatty compound, using hydrothiolation as a key reaction step. 10-Undecynol was prepared by reduction of 10-undecinoic acid methyl ester, which was prepared by successive bromation, dehydrobromination of the corresponding alkenic fatty acid. Solution and surface polymer modifi cation with a fl uorescent thiol was successful. More >

Zoran S Petrovic´^*, Ivan Javni, Mihail Ionescu

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.3, pp. 167-186, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634112

Abstract This paper reviews a part of the rich fi eld of oleochemicals, their synthesis and applications as precursors for polymers by referring to published data rather than discussing details of different reactions. The hope is to help readers in fi nding leads in the vast research area carried out over a long period of time, to avoid traps and to inspire new ideas for oil-based products and processes. 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 >

Weeradech Kiratitanavit¹, Sethumadhavan Ravichandran²,Zhiyu Xia¹, Jayant Kumar^3,4, Ramaswamy Nagarajan^1,4,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 289-301, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634126

Abstract Globally, certain types of halogenated fl ame retardant additives (FR) are becoming increasingly regulated or banned from being used in polymers. There is an immediate need for alternative non-toxic thermally stable polymers and char-forming additives. Development of non-halogenated FR for the commonly used and highly fl ammable thermoplastics, namely polyolefi ns, is particularly important and challenging. This research explores the possibility of utilizing char-forming compounds based on polymer of cardanol as an additive that can lower the heat release capacity (HRC) when blended with polypropylene (PP). Polycardanol is thermally stable and exhibits moderate HRC upon thermal decomposition and forms a… More >

Sihan Wang, Reza Masoodi^*, Janet Brady, Brian R. George

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 279-288, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634122

Abstract Recycled natural fi bers and biopolymers with sustainable, eco-friendly, and biodegradable properties are receiving increased attention. The moisture absorption and swelling of natural fi ber composites adversely infl uence their mechanical properties and applications. In this research, bio-based epoxy polymers that are reinforced with recycled woven jute fabrics were subjected to water immersion tests in order to study the effect of water absorption on their mechanical and geometrical properties. For comparison, petroleum-based epoxy polymers that are reinforced with new woven jute fabrics were also subjected to the same tests. The effect of fi ber percentage on water absorption, thickness swelling,… More >