Chengxiang Li, Yue Wu, Chunhui Zhang^*, Yao Liu, Qixuan Lin, Junli Ren^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2555-2574, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.026908 - 27 April 2023

Abstract Hemicellulose and lignin are not reasonably utilized during the dissolved pulp preparation process. This work aimed to propose a process for the co-production of dissolving pulp, furfural, and lignin from eucalyptus. High-grade dissolving pulp was prepared from eucalyptus using a combination of extremely low acid (ELA) pretreatment, Kraft cooking, and elementary chlorine-free (ECF) bleaching. The obtained pre-hydrolysate was catalytic conversion into furfural in a biphasic system, and lignin during Kraft cooking and ECF was recovered. The process condition was discussed as well as the mass flow direction. The results showed that ELA pretreatment could effectively… More >

Jianping Deng¹, Qianqian Zhang¹, Yuling Lan¹, Lingcong Luo¹, Zimin Dai¹, Zhonghang Lin¹, Zhixin Lu¹, Jiancheng Yuan¹, Yiqi Fu¹, Lu Luo^2,*, Weigang Zhao^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2631-2646, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.027163 - 27 April 2023

Abstract The development and utilization of biomass and agroforestry processing byproducts for high-value applications have been an important topic in the field of renewable materials research. Based on this, a two-step microwave hydrothermal pre-carbonization and KOH activation method was proposed to synthesize tannin-based activated carbons with a high specific surface area, hierarchical pore structure, and good electrochemical performance. The microstructure, texture properties, and physicochemical characteristics were investigated. The results show that the prepared tannin-based activated carbons presented a hierarchical pore structure (micro- and mesopores) with a specific surface area as high as 997.46 m³ g⁻¹ . The… More > Graphic Abstract

S. E. Burruel-Ibarra¹, R. A. Esquer-Osuna², R. G. Valdez-Melchor², D. A. Cuevas-Acuña², L. QuihuiCota³, J. Juárez⁴, J. C. Campos-García², E. Valbuena-Gregorio², M. A. López-Mata^2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2647-2663, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.027372 - 27 April 2023

Abstract This study aimed to characterize the physical-chemical and biological properties of pectin (PC)/chia seed mucilage (CM) membranes. PC/CM [100/0 (control), 80/20%, 60/40%, and 40/60% w/w] membranes were prepared using the casting method. The membranes (PC/CM) were thin, yellow, lightly opaque (≈10%) and capable of blocking light UVB (between 66 at 52%). SEM analysis showed the presence of aggregates in the shape of a sphere (≈13 µm) and ovoid (≈25 µm). The proportion of 80/20 showed an increase in tensile strength (29%) and elastic modulus (19%) when compared to the control. FTIR analysis exhibited intermolecular interactions More > Graphic Abstract

Abdulmoseen Segun Giwa^1,*, Mingqiang Sheng², Ndungutse Jean Maurice³, Xinxin Liu¹, Zelong Wang¹, Fengmin Chang⁴, Bo Huang⁴, Kaijun Wang⁴

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2593-2629, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.026314 - 27 April 2023

Abstract Globally, fossil fuel dependence has created several environmental challenges and climate change. Hence, creating other alternative renewable and ecologically friendly bio-energy sources is necessary. Lignocellulosic biomass has gained significant attention recently as a renewable material for biofuel production. The large amounts of plantain and banana plant parts wasted after harvesting, as well as the peels generated daily by the fruit market and industries, demonstrate the potential of bioenergy resources. This review briefly assesses plantain and banana plant biomass (PBB) generated in the developing, developed, and underdeveloped countries, the consumable parts, and feasible products yield. It… More > Graphic Abstract

Kakudji Kisimba¹, Anand Krishnan^2,*, Mbuso Faya¹, Kahumba Byanga³, Kabange Kasumbwe⁴, Kaliyapillai Vijayakumar⁵, Ram Prasad^6,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2575-2591, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.026159 - 27 April 2023

Abstract Nanoparticles have distinct properties that make them potentially valuable in a variety of industries. As a result, emerging approaches for the manufacture of nanoparticles are gaining a lot of scientific interest. The biological pathway of nanoparticle synthesis has been suggested as an effective, affordable, and environmentally safe method. Synthesis of nanoparticles through physical and chemical processes uses unsafe materials, expensive equipment and adversely affects the environment. As a result, in order to support the increased utilization of nanoparticles across many sectors, nanotechnology research activities have shifted toward environmentally safe and cost-effective techniques that outperform chemical… More > Graphic Abstract

Jianwei Zhang¹, Yue Yin¹, Lei Shi¹, Yi Han², Mi Zhou^3,*, Xihong Zhang⁴

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2893-2911, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.025436 - 10 April 2023

Abstract Dust is an environmental and health hazard. In this study, a new technology for dust suppressant is introduced using soybean urease with an optimal cementing solution. Calcium carbonate is produced by soybean urease and cementing solution, which bonds the soil particles towards a dust suppressant. A laboratory wind tunnel test is carried out to examine its effectiveness and discover possible optimization solutions. Several factors, including soybean meal concentration, cementing solution concentration, and volume of solution per unit area, are examined to quantify their influences on soil transport mass, evaporation ratio, evaporation rate, surface strength, water… More >

Zhuoli Yang¹, Xianbin Hou², Leyang Dai^2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2941-2951, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.025723 - 27 April 2023

Abstract Plasma-assisted ball milling was carried out on the Al+C₃H₆N₆ system and Al+C₄H₄N₄ system, respectively. The phase structure, functional groups and synthesis mechanism were analyzed by XRD and FT-IR, and the differences in the synthesis process of nano-AlN with different solid nitrogen sources were discussed. The results show that C₃H₆N₆ has a stable triazine ring structure, and its chemical bond is firm and difficult to break, so AlN cannot be synthesized directly by solid-solid reaction at room temperature. However, there are a large number of nitrile groups (-CN) and amino groups (-NH2) in C₄H₄N₄ molecules. Under the combined… More >

Sri Hidayati^1,*, Eugenia Fonny Budiyanto¹, Hadi Saputra¹, Sutopo Hadi¹, Apri Heri Iswanto^2,3, Nissa Nurfajrin Solihat⁴, Petar Antov⁵, Lee Seng Hua^6,7, Widya Fatriasari^4,8, Mohd. Sapuan Salit⁹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2865-2879, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.027579 - 27 April 2023

Abstract Black liquor is obtained as a by-product of the pulping process, which is used to convert biomass into pulp by removing lignin, hemicelluloses and other extractives from wood to free cellulose fibers. Lignin represents a major constituent in black liquor, with quantities varying from 20% to 30%, of which a very low share is used for manufacturing value-added products, while the rest is mainly burned for energy purposes, thus underestimating its great potential as a raw material. Therefore, it is essential to establish new isolation and extraction methods to increase lignin valorization in the development… More > Graphic Abstract

Yue Chen^1,2, Haitao Li^1,2,*, Lei Gao^3,*, Wei Xu^1,2, Rodolfo Lorenzo⁴, Milan Gaff^5,6

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2787-2808, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.027634 - 27 April 2023

Abstract Bamboo is an eco-friendly material with light weight, high strength, short growth cycle and high sustainability, which is widely used in building structures. Engineered bamboo has further promoted the development of modern bamboo structures due to its unrestricted size and shape. However, as a fiber-reinforced material, fracture damage, especially Mode I fracture damage, becomes the most likely damage mode of its structure, so Mode I fracture characteristics are an important subject in the research of mechanical properties of bamboo. This paper summarizes the current status of experimental research on the Mode I fracture properties of More >

Liefei Pei^1,2, Xiangyun Zhang¹, Zizhou Yuan^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2969-2983, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.025760 - 27 April 2023

Abstract Iron-based amorphous crystalline powder Fe₇₈Si₉B₁₃^AP is used as a permeability reaction barrier (PRB) combined with an electrokinetic method (EK-PRB) to study the removal rate of Cu in contaminated soil. After treating Cucontaminated soil for 5 days under different voltage gradients and soil water content, the soil pH is between 3.1 and 7.2. The increase of voltage gradient and soil water content can effectively promote the movement of Cu²⁺ to the cathode. The voltage gradient is 3 V/cm, and the water content of 40% is considered to be an optional experimental condition. Therefore, under this condition, the More >