Charlotte Grosse^1,2,*, Marion Noël¹, Marie-France Thévenon³, Lauri Rautkari⁴, Philippe Gérardin²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 259-269, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634176

Abstract Impregnation of dry wood with pure lactic acid oligomers (OLAs) followed by heat treatment confers promising properties to wood because of OLA's good diffusion, in-situ polymerization and persistence in cell walls. Treatment provides drastic reduction of the equilibrium moisture content, high dimensional stability and good durability. The presence of water during treatment has been evaluated. Curing of OLA impregnated dry wood in humid atmosphere leads to a strong and global degradation of the material. OLA treatment of wet wood only impacts the water leaching rate negatively. Treatment of dry wood with OLA diluted in water More >

TK. N. Tran^1,2, A. Guyomard-Lack³, C. Cerclier³, B. Humbert³, G. Colomines¹, J-F. Pilard², R. Deterre¹, J. Le Bideau^3,*, E. Leroy^4,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 251-258, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634174

Abstract Natural rubber (NR), besides being an abundant renewable resource for the elastomer industry, can be a potential resource for the design of innovative biobased polymer networks. The present work is based on "telechelic" liquid natural rubber oligomers obtained by controlled chemical degradation of NR. The chain ends of such oligomers can then be functionalized (with acrylate functions in the present case) and reacted with multifunctional crosslinkers in order to form networks. What's more, the initial solubility of such thermosetting system in an ionic liquid (IL) can be used for the formulation of ionogels. Such solid More >

Maxime Pontié^1*, Serge Foukmeniok Mbokou^1,2, Jean-Philippe Bouchara¹, Bienvenue Razafimandimby¹, Sylvie Egloff¹, Ornella Dzilingomo¹, Pierre-Yves Pontalier³, Ignas Kenfack Tonle<

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 242-250, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634169

Abstract Electrochemical determination of paracetamol (PCT) was successfully performed using carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) modified with treated coffee husks (CHt) or cellulose powder (Ce). Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize unmodified or modified CPEs prior to their use. The electrochemical oxidation of PCT was investigated using square wave voltammetry (SWV) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The oxidation current density of PCT was two-fold higher with the CPE-CHt sensor and 30% higher with CPE-Ce in comparison with the unmodified CPE, and this correlated with the higher hydrophilicity of the modified electrodes. Using SWV for the electrochemical analysis… More >

Christophe Olivier^1,2, Jean Bruno Mougel^1,2, Patricia Bertoncini¹, Celine Moreau², Isabelle Capron², Bernard Cathala², Olivier Chauvet^1*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 237-241, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634168

Abstract Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have a high ability to disperse single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in aqueous media and to form hybrids. These hybrids are used to grow layer-by-layer thin films of controlled thickness. Thanks to the presence of SWNTs, these films are conducting. In this article, we describe the process by which the CNC/SWNT hybrids are obtained and discuss the electrical properties of the hybrid-based layer-by-layer films. More >

Noé Navarro-Guajardo¹, Edgar Miguel García-Carrillo², Carlos Espinoza-González^2,*, Rubén Téllez-Zablah¹, Fátima Dávila-Hernández², Jorge Romero-García², Antonio Ledezma-Pérez²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 226-236, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634164

Abstract Efforts to improve crop yields with efficient use of fertilizers are needed to guarantee global food security. Enhanced slow-release fertilizer systems (SRFs) encapsulated in biodegradable matrices are being developed to address this global concern. From a wide range of strategies for SRFs development, we explored a nature-inspired solution based on the plant cuticle model and its function as a membrane for water and nutrient transport control. Here, Candelilla wax, extracted from Candelilla wild plants (Euphorbia antisyphilitica), is studied as a renewable slow-release matrix for fertilizers encapsulated by a modified spray chilling process. From this process, More >

Lars Helmlinger¹, Yejun Zhu¹, Julia Gensel¹, Thomas Neumeyer¹, Stefan Thäter², Franziska Strube², Christoph Bauer², Bernd Rosemann², Volker Altstädt^1*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 219-225, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634161

Abstract Due to a lack of technology, smaller breweries simply dump excess CO2 into the atmosphere, fueling the greenhouse effect and global warming. State-of-the-art CO2 capture technologies using nanofibrillated cellulose are expensive and require laborious freeze-drying. Consequently, there is a high demand for affordable alternatives in order to reduce the environmental impact in this industry sector. This work describes a novel route for a quick and cost-efficient synthesis of amine-functionalized cellulose pellets by a surfactant-assisted steam explosion process. Typical values with this method were porosity of 92% and density of 67 g/cm³. Investigations on polyethylenimine (PEI) More >

Prof., Dr. Hamid Kaddami, Prof., Dr. Bernard Cathala

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.3, pp. 217-218, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2018.634113

Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

Cristiane S. Farinas*, José Manoel Marconcini, Luiz Henrique C. Mattoso

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 203-216, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.6341578

Abstract The conversion of sugarcane lignocellulosic biomass into fuels, chemicals and high-value materials using the biochemical pathway is considered the most sustainable alternative for the implementation of future biorefineries. Actually, the first large-scale cellulosic ethanol plants that have started operating worldwide apply the enzymatic hydrolysis process to convert biomass into simple sugars that are fermented to ethanol by yeasts. However, several technological challenges still need to be addressed in order to obtain commercially competitive products. This review describes current challenges and perspectives regarding the enzymatic hydrolysis step for processing sugarcane lignocellulosic biomass within the biorefinery. Recent More >

Rafael Grande^1*, Eliane Trovatti², Maria Tereza B. Pimenta³, Antonio J. F. Carvalho¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 195-202, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2018.634109

Abstract Research involving the preparation of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) from sugarcane bagasse is a relevant topic to the production of new nanomaterials and more accessible cellulose substrates for the production of second generation ethanol. Regarding the transformation of cellulose into glucose, the precursor of second generation ethanol, this nanosized cellulosic substrate represents a more appropriate material for the chemical hydrolysis process. The high aspect ratio of MFC improves hydrolysis, requiring mild conditions and decreasing the generation of by-products. Here, MFC was prepared from sugarcane bagasse by ultrasound defibrillation. This material was oxidized with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) to More >

Reynaldo Palacios-Bereche¹, Adriano Ensinas², Marcelo Modesto¹, Silvia Nebra^1,3,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.2, pp. 183-194, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634175

Abstract The aim of this study is to assess the possibility of increasing ethanol production by introducing the bagasse hydrolysis process into conventional distilleries. Simulations were performed for mass and energy balances using Aspen Plus® software. It was assumed that sugarcane trash and lignin cake—hydrolysis process residues—are available as supplementary fuel. Several cases were evaluated, including: (a) conventional ethanol distillery, (b) conventional plant combined with a hydrolysis process without heat integration, with different solid contents in the hydrolysis reactor, and (c) conventional plant combined with the hydrolysis process applying heat integration by pinch analysis. The highest More >