Song Yang¹, Bing Qi¹, Zubin Ai¹, Zhensheng Cao¹, Shiqin He^2,*, Lijun Li³

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.4, pp. 897-908, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.016653

Abstract It has become a research hotspot to explore raw material substitutes of concrete. It is important to research the mechanical properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with slag powder (SP) and rubber particle (RP) replacing cement and coarse aggregate, respectively. 12 kinds of composite modified self-compacting concrete (CMSCC) specimens were prepared by using 10%, 20% and 30% SP and 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% RP. The rheological properties, mechanical properties and microstructure of the CMSCC were investigated. Results indicate that the workability, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength of CMSCC prepared by 20% SP and less than 40% RP… More >

Yong Chen¹, Yinghao Huang^1,2,*, Min Wu¹ and Shuo Wang¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.4, pp. 1153-1173, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.018856

Abstract Phase change materials (PCMs) can store large amounts of energy in latent heat and release it during phase changes, which could be used to improve the freeze-thaw performance of soil. The composite phase change material was prepared with paraffin as the PCM and 8% Class C fly ash (CFA) as the supporting material. Laboratory tests were conducted to reveal the influence of phase change paraffin composite Class C fly ash (CFA-PCM) on the thermal properties, volume changes and mechanical properties of expansive soil. The results show that PCM failed to establish a good improvement effect due to leakage. CFA can… More >

José Vulfrano González-Fernández^1,*, Diego David Pinzón-Moreno¹, Antony Alexander Neciosup-Puican², María Verónica Carranza-Oropeza¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.3, pp. 833-847, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2021.017377

Abstract ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) present innovative optical, electrical, and magnetic properties that depend on specific characteristics, e.g., size, distribution, and morphology. Thus, these properties are essential to address various applications in areas such as electronics, medicine, energy, and others. In addition, the performance of this ZnONP depends of their preparation which can be done by chemical, physical, and biological methods. Meanwhile, nowadays, the main interest in developing ZnO-NP synthesis through biological methods bases on the decrease of use of toxic chemicals or energy applied to the procedures, making the process more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. However, the large-scale production of nanoparticles… More >

Chen Chen^1,2, Haitao Li^1,2,*, Assima Dauletbek^1,2, Feng Shen³, David Hui⁴, Milan Gaff⁵, Rodolfo Lorenzo⁶, Ileana Corbi⁷, Ottavia Corbi⁷, Mahmud Ashraf⁸

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.3, pp. 605-624, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.018685

Abstract Fibers are used in many forms in engineering applications–one of the most common being used as reinforcement. Due to its renewable short natural growth cycle and abundance of bamboo resources, bamboo fiber has attracted attention over other natural fibers. Bamboo fiber has a complex natural structure but offers excellent mechanical properties, which are utilized in the textile, papermaking, construction, and composites industry. However, bamboo fibers can easily absorb moisture and are prone to corrosion limiting their use in engineering applications. Therefore, a better understanding of bamboo fiber is particularly important. This paper reviews all existing research on the mechanical characterization… More >

Kai Su^1,*, Shaoqi Deng¹, Linxiao Li¹, Qirui Qin¹, Jingyu Yang¹, Yan Chen^2,3, Shengli Zhang¹, Junming Chen¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.3, pp. 653-663, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.018556

Abstract Hydrogen production through solar energy is one of the most important pathways to meet the growing demand of renewable energy, and photocatalyst participation in solar hydrolytic hydrogen production has received great attention in recent years in terms of low cost, high efficiency, and flexible design. Particularly, g-C₃N₄ (Graphitic-like carbon nitride material), as a unique material, can catalyze the hydrogen production process by completing the separation and transmission of charge. The easily adjustable pore structure/surface area, dimension, band-gap modulation and defect have shown great potential for hydrogen production from water cracking. In this review, the most recent advance of g-C₃N₄ including… More > Graphic Abstract

Yujie Huang¹, Yifan Zhang¹, Zheng Wang^1,*, Assima Dauletbe², Yao Lu¹, Zhaoyu Shen¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.3, pp. 849-870, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.018515

Abstract To describe the dynamic cracking process of the CLT vertical layer, the correlation between a load-displacement curve, specimen cracking, and planar shear failure mechanism of the CLT were explored. A three-point bending test and an improved planar shear test are used to evaluate the shear performance of the CLT. In this study, the load-displacement curve is recorded, the experimental part is synchronized with the video, the dynamic process of cracking of the vertical layer is observed and analyzed throughout the test. From the load-displacement curve, the image characteristics of the initial cracking and the sudden increase of the cracking of… More > Graphic Abstract

Yecheng Xu¹, Chaojie Xu¹, Mingsong Chen¹, Jianzhang Li¹, Ling Zeng², Jing Luo³, Qiang Gao^1,*, Sheldon Q. Shi^4,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.3, pp. 639-652, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.018509

Abstract Soy protein-based composite film is a potential replacement for petroleum-based film with multipurpose applications and cleaner production. It is difficult to improve both the tensile strength and toughness of a protein-based film without sacrificing its elongation. In this study, inspired by the hierarchical structure of nacre, a facile yet delicate strategy was developed to fabricate a novel bio-based film with excellent toughness and high strength. Triglycidylamine (TGA) crosslinked soy protein (SPI) as hard phase and thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU) as soft phase comprise an alternative lay-up hierarchical structure. The interface of these two phases is enhanced using triglycidylamine (TGA) surface-modified… More >

Abderrezzaq Benalia^1,2, Kerroum Derbal^2,*, Amel Khalfaoui¹, Antonio Pizzi³, Ghouti Medjahdi⁴

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.3, pp. 625-637, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.017848

Abstract The purpose of this work is the study the ability of the plant material Aloe vera to act as natural coagulant using raw water obtained from a drinking water treatment plant (Mila, Algeria). Different solvents such as: NaCl; NaOH and HCl were used as chemical activators to extract the active components from the Aloe vera plant, and different coagulation-flocculation experiments were conducted in a jar test apparatus to evaluate the performance of the extracted coagulant. Also, the effect of coagulant dose on some water parameters such as turbidity, pH, total alkalinity and organic matter were investigated. The results showed that… More > Graphic Abstract

Zhipeng He^1,2, Junqi Xue^1,2, Yanzi Ke^1,2, Ying Luo^1,2,*, Qiming Lu^1,2, Yuehua Xu^1,2, Chaoqun Zhang^1,2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.3, pp. 591-604, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.017790

Abstract Nowadays, waterborne polyurethanes (WPUs) prepared from renewable resources has attracted more and more attention. However, due to its structure, the prepared films easily swells in water and greatly affects the application range of WPUs. Therefore, solving the problem of water resistance is a way to improve the application range of WPUs. In this study, a series of WPU dispersions were prepared using castor oil as the bio-based polyol. Besides, the thiol-ene photo click reaction was carried out on the WPU films for silane modification. The effect of the silane modification on the chemical structures of the WPU dispersions and the… More > Graphic Abstract

Jorge Neto, Henrique Queiroz, Ricardo Aguiar, Rosemere Lima, Daniel Cavalcanti, Mariana Doina Banea^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.10, No.3, pp. 561-589, 2022, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.017434

Abstract Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites (NFRCs) have demonstrated great potential for many different applications in various industries due to their advantages compared to synthetic fiber-reinforced composites, such as low environmental impact and low cost. However, one of the drawbacks is that the NFRCs present relatively low mechanical properties and the absorption of humidity due to the hydrophilic characteristic of the natural fibre. One method to increase their performance is hybridization. Therefore, understanding the properties and potential of using multiple reinforcement’s materials to develop hybrid composites is of great interest. This paper provides an overview of the recent advances in hybrid… More > Graphic Abstract