Yongbin Jin^1,#, Zheng Fang^1,2,#, Liu Yang¹, Kaikai Liu¹, Mingliang Li¹, Yaping Zhao¹, Yujie Luo¹, Huiping Feng¹, Bingru Deng¹, Chengbo Tian¹, Changcai Cui², Liqiang Xie^1,*, Xipeng Xu^2,*, Zhanhua Wei¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.10, pp. 2509-2518, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.021400

Abstract Semi-transparent perovskite solar cells (ST-PSCs) are promising in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) and tandem solar cells (TSCs). One of the keys to fabricate high-performance ST-PSCs is depositing efficient transparent electrodes. Indium tin oxide (ITO) is an excellent transparent conductive oxide with good light transmittance and high conductivity. However, the high sheet resistance of ITO sputtered at room temperature leads to the low fill factor (FF) and poor power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the ST-PSCs. Here, we study the effect of the sputtering temperature on the properties of ITO and the performance of ST-PSCs. We find that when the sputtering temperature increases… More > Graphic Abstract

Shahril Anuar Bahari¹, Mohd Nazarudin Zakaria¹, Syaiful Osman¹, Falah Abu¹, Mohamad Jani Saad², Reza Hosseinpourpia^3,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.10, pp. 2581-2591, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.021313

Abstract This study investigated the mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics of fiberboard composite produced by naturally-bonded Malaysian bamboo fiber (Bambusa vulgaris). The components that obtained through soda pulping of bamboo culms such as fiber and black liquor, were used for the preparation of high-density fibreboard composite at two target densities of 850 and 950 kg/m³. The bamboo fiberboard composite (BFC) were then produced at 200°C and two pressing parameters of 125 and 175 s/mm. The mechanical properties, e.g., flexural strength and internal bonding (IB) of BFC samples were evaluated according to BS EN 310: 1993 and BS EN 319: 1993, respectively. It was… More > Graphic Abstract

María Janeth Rodríguez-Roque¹, Carmen Lizette Del-Toro-Sánchez^2,*, Janet Madeline Chávez-Ayala¹, Ricardo Iván González-Vega², Liliana Maribel Pérez-Pérez², Esteban Sánchez-Chávez³, Nora Aideé Salas-Salazar¹, Juan Manuel Soto-Parra¹, Rey David Iturralde-García², María Antonia Flores-Córdova^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.10, pp. 2569-2580, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.021163

Abstract Phenolic compounds are related to high biological activity, avoiding oxidation in food and human systems. Nutshells are by-products derived from the pecan nut processing that contain important amounts of phenols which biological activity must be studied. This research aimed to evaluate the antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and hemolysis) and anti-inflammatory activities of shell extracts from pecan nuts harvested during the crop production cycle 2018 and 2019, as well as the in vitro digestibility of their phenolic compounds, including flavonoids. Results showed that extracts from the crop production cycle 2018 obtained the highest yield, while those from 2019 contained the highest… More > Graphic Abstract

Daniel Dodzi Yao Setsoafia¹, Kiran Sreedhar Ram¹, Hooman Mehdizadeh-Rad^1,2, David Ompong^1,2, Vinuthaa Murthy^1,2, Jai Singh^1,2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.10, pp. 2553-2567, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.020967

Abstract DFT and TD-DFT calculations of HOMO and LUMO energies and photovoltaic properties are carried out on four selected pentathiophene donor and one IDIC-4F acceptor molecules using B3LYP and PBE0 functionals for the ground state energy calculations and CAM-B3LYP functional for the excited state calculations. The discrepancy between the calculated and experimental energies is reduced by correlating them with a linear fit. The fitted energies of HOMO and LUMO are used to calculate the V_oc of an OSC based on these donors and acceptor blend and compared with experimental values. Using the Scharber model the calculated PCE of the donor-acceptor molecules… More >

Vianey Mendez-Trujillo¹, Benjamín Valdez-Salas², Mario Curiel-Alvarez², Ernesto Beltran-Partida², Arnoldo Alfaro-Corres³, Esaú Ruiz-Sanchez³, Gerardo Bautista-Trujillo⁴, Olivia Tzintzun Camacho⁵, Onecimo Grimaldo-Juarez⁵, Carlos Ceceña-Duran⁵, Carlos Ail-Catzin⁵, Daniel González-Mendoza^5,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.10, pp. 2543-2552, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.020965

Abstract The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) from Crotalaria longirostrata on the insect mortality and cell viability of Phenacoccus solenopsis. The biosynthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles (Cu/Zn-NPs) from C. longirostrata was confirmed by the presence of a single peak around 378 nm. The hydrodynamic diameter of the Cu/Zn nanoparticles varied from 59 to 119 nm and their zeta potential was found to be −30.90 mV. The EDX analysis showed a strong signal for Cu and Zn (8 and 8.6 keV, respectively). The Cu/Zn-NPs showed an effective insecticide activity against P. solenopsis with 63%… More >

Yantao Xu¹, Yufei Han¹, Jianzhang Li¹, Jing Luo², Sheldon Q. Shi³, Jingchao Li¹, Qiang Gao^1,*, An Mao^4,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.10, pp. 2519-2541, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.020750

Abstract Traditional formaldehyde-based adhesives rely excessively on petrochemical resources, release toxic gases, and pollute the environment. Plant-derived soybean protein adhesives are eco-friendly materials that have the potential to replace the formaldehyde-based adhesives used to fabricate wood-based panels. However, the poor water resistance, high brittleness, and poor mildew resistance of soybean protein adhesives limit their industrial applications. This article reviews recent research progress in the modification of soybean protein adhesives for improving the bonding performance of adhesives used for wood-based panel fabrication. Modification methods were summarized in terms of water resistance, solid content, and mildew resistance. The modification mechanisms and remaining problems… More >

Shervin Shameli Derakhshan¹, Lina Zhou^1,*, Chun Ni²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.10, pp. 2655-2667, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.020671

Abstract Nail joints are one of the key components that control the lateral performance of light wood frame shear walls. In previous experimental studies, researchers have used different loading rates, which failed specimens from less than a minute to more than an hour, to study the characteristics of nail joints. Moreover, there have been different loading protocols used for testing of timber nail joints or shear walls. Although some efforts have been made to address this subject, it is still unclear how the loading protocol and loading rate may influence the performance of nail joints. In this study, a total of… More >

Heru Suryanto^1,2,*, Bili Darnanto Susilo³, Jibril Maulana³, Aminnudin³, Uun Yanuhar⁴, Surjani Wonorahardjo^2,5, Husni Wahyu Wijaya^2,5, Abu Saad Ansari⁶

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.9, pp. 2455-2465, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.020478

Abstract Waste is the main problem for the environment. Handling waste for various useful applications has a benefit for the future. This work has been studied for handling pineapple peel waste to make composite film bacterial cellulose nanocomposite membrane (BCNM) with addition graphite nanoplatelet (GNP). The concentration of GNP in the membrane influence the membrane properties. The bacterial cellulose (BC) pellicle was synthesized by using media from pineapple peel waste extract. BC pellicle is cleaned with water and NaOH solution to be free from impactors. BCNM is synthesized through the mechanical disintegration stage. The results of disintegration using high pressure homogenizer… More > Graphic Abstract

Lifeng Ji, Qiuxia Zhang, Fei Rao^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.9, pp. 2477-2487, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.021761

Abstract Landscape designers increasingly prefer to use wood/bamboo-based composites for outdoor hydrophilic platforms owing to their natural surface texture, high performance, and sustainability to facilitate extensive interaction between people and water and enable the full range of ecological functions of water resources. In this study, four laminated composite (LC) structures were designed and manufactured using fluffed bamboo and wood veneers. Their surface textures, profile densities, water resistances, and mechanical properties were then evaluated. The type of fluffed veneer of the surface layer determined the texture of the LC surface. The specific structures of fluffed bamboo and wood veneer laminations were found… More >

Afonso R. G. de Azevedo^1,*, Marcelo Nascimento², Dirlane do Carmo³, Markssuel T. Marvila⁴, Gustavo de C. Xavier¹, Sergio Neves Monteiro⁴

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.9, pp. 2409-2429, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.020503

Abstract The use of natural lignocellulosic fibers (NLFs) as a reinforcement mechanism for cementitious composites, such as mortar, has been investigated in the last decades. However, their application has often been restricted to technological evaluation research. A NLF with great potential the curaua, which after treatment with NaOH solution, proved to be technologically feasible for mortars reinforcement based on cement and lime. The objective of this research was the comparative evaluation between a traditional mortar, based on cement and lime, with 1:1:6:0.8 ratio of cement: lime: sand: water, and a modified mortar with addition of 2 wt.% treated curaua fiber in… More >