Ilyas Renreng¹, Bakri Bakri^2,*, Sri Chandrabakty², Naharuddin²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/jrm.2021.012774

Abstract In this study, the influence of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment and microwave treatment of coir fibers on the mechanical and physical properties of pressed coir fiber/epoxy composite were evaluated. The composite was fabricated with a hand lay-up method with compression molding. Before composite fabrication, pressed coir fiber was treated with NaOH and microwave treatments. Mechanical testing (tensile, flexural, and impact testing) of the composite was conducted. Then, water absorption and thickness swelling testing are also performed. The fractured composite surface morphology after the tensile test was analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that tensile, flexural, and impact… More >

Nishit Savla¹, Raksha Anand², Soumya Pandit^2,*, Ram Prasad^3,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.011803

Abstract Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are an attractive innovation at the nexus of energy and water security for the future. MFC utilizes electrochemically active microorganisms to oxidize biodegradable substrates and generate bioelectricity in a single step. The material of the anode plays a vital role in increasing the MFC’s power output. The anode in MFC can be upgraded using nanomaterials providing benefits of exceptional physicochemical properties. The nanomaterials in anode gives a high surface area, improved electron transfer promotes electroactive biofilm. Enhanced power output in terms of Direct current (DC) can be obtained as the consequence of improved microbe-electrode interaction. However,… More >

Lei Guo^1,2,3, Zi Guan¹, Lixia Guo^1,2,3,*, Weiping Shen¹, Zhilong Xue¹, Pingping Chen¹, Mingru Li¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.013415

Abstract A recycled aggregate (RA) was prepared by crushing and sieving demolished discarded concrete pavements and was subsequently tested and analyzed to determine its various physical properties. On this basis, pervious concrete (PC) mix proportions were designed. Coarse RA particles with sizes of 5–10 and 10–20 mm were selected. Concrete specimens were prepared with a water–cement ratio of 0.3, an aggregate–cement ratio of 4.5, the substitute rates of RA with 0, 25%, 50%, 75% and a single-/double-gap-graded RA mix (mass ratio of particles with sizes of 5–10 mm to particles with sizes of 10–20 mm: 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 2:3 and 3:2).… More >

Wenbei Bi¹, Zengfeng Yan^1,*, Huan Zhao¹, Lixin Sun², Xudong Wang^3,4, Zhengmo Zhang³

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.012808

Abstract Murals in Mogao Grottoes consist of three parts: support layer, earthen plasters and paint layer. The earthen plasters play a key role in the preservation of murals. It is a mixture of Dengban soil, sand, and plant fiber. Two different natural fibers, hemp fiber and cotton fiber, were reinforced to earthen plasters in the same percentage to evaluate the influence on hygrothermal performance. The two types of earthen plasters were studied: one containing hemp fiber in the fine plaster (HFP) and the other containing cotton fiber in the fine plaster (CFP). Specific heat capacity, dry thermal conductivity, water vapor permeability,… More >

J. Y. Tey^*, W. H. Yeo, Y. J. King, W. O. Ding

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.011870

Abstract Polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic is a common material used in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing. It is biodegradable and environmentally friendly biopolymer which made out of corn. However, it exhibits weak mechanical properties which reduced its usability as a functional prototype in a real-world application. In the present study, two PLA composites are created through coextruded with 3K carbon fibres and twisted Kevlar string (as core fibre) to form a fibre reinforced parts (FRP). The mechanical strength of printed parts was examined using ASTM D638 standard with a strain rate of 1 mm/min. It has been demonstrated that the… More >

Jinxing Li^1,#, Jingjing Liao^1,#, Jun Zhang¹, Xiaojian Zhou^1,2,*, Hisham Essawy³, Guanben Du^1,2

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.013976

Abstract In this study, pre-concentrated bark, furfuryl alcohol and other biomass raw materials were used to prepare foaming materials by high-speed mechanical stirring without using a foaming agent. We investigated the effect of the postadded water amount on the properties of foaming materials. In particular, we determined basic physical properties of these materials, including the limiting oxygen index (LOI), porosity, thermal conductivity, thermogravimetric analysis, pore size distribution, and microstructure. The results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the pore size distribution was uniform and the pore size increased with increasing water volume. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG/ DTG) showed that when the… More >

Qingwei Liu^1,2, Chunmei Yang^1,2,*, Qian Miao^1,2, Yifan Liu^1,2, Jiuqing Liu^1,*, Wenji Yu³

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.012031

Abstract Based on the LOM (Laminated Object Manufacturing) process, an inert gas-assisted laser method for wood cutting was proposed. The carbonization degree of wood surface was improved by the introduction of helium (He) gas, and the influence of process parameters on the carbonization layer of wood surface was solved, it was significance to reduce the post-processing of LOM and improve the quality of forming workpiece. The cherry wood veneer was used as the experimental material, under the condition of the same process parameters, the wood was cut with or without inert gas-assisted, and the influence factors of kerf quality were studied… More >

Yuan Zhang¹, Ping Li¹, Yiqiang Wu^1,2, Guangming Yuan^1,2, Xianjun Li^1,2, Yingfeng Zuo^1,2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.011788

Abstract The Chinese fir wood was impregnated using a cyclic increasingpressure method (CIPM) with phenolic prepolymers as the impregnating modifier. Unmodified Chinese fir and progressive increasing-pressure method (PIPM) impregnated Chinese fir were used as reference samples and were compared and analyzed. The product’s chemical structure, internal morphology, crystal structure, and heat resistance were characterized. The transversal and longitudinal sections showed better filling effects, so that it bore greater external loading and reduced the water storage space. CIPM infused more phenolic prepolymer into the Chinese fir. Not only producing more physical filling but also forming more hydrogen bond associations and chemical bond… More >

Yi-Che Hsieh^1,*, Ta-Wui Cheng², Chia-Ho Wu²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.013353

Abstract In this study, the feasibility of producing eco-friendly bricks by using geopolymer technology and a waste grinding wheel (WGW) from the grinding wheel industries was investigated. Nowadays, in order to meet industrial needs, for instance, in Taiwan, approximately 500,000 grinding wheels are used annually. That is, a large number of “waste” grinding wheels are produced. Furthermore, few studies have been conducted on the use of WGWs as raw materials in geopolymer applications. The use of geopolymer technology to form bricks can avoid the utilization of clay and cement and even prevent the use of a high-temperature process in kilns. Moreover,… More >

Yanrong Zhao^1,2,3,#, Ping Chen^1,4,*,#, Shifeng Wang⁵, Yaxiong Ji^3,4, Yuanhao Wang^3,4,*, Bolin Wu^1,2, Rongjin Liu¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol., , DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.011462

Abstract Bayer red mud (BRM) is a kind of industrial solid waste characterized by huge volume and high alkalinity. Its disposal generates serious environmental pollution and occupies a large number of farmland. The utilization and recycling of BRM is currently a crucial issue and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. The chemical composition of BRM is similar to cement clinker. In this study, the feasibility of preparing Belite-ferroaluminate clinker (BFAC) with different BRM was explored. The physical properties, mechanics performance, radioactivity levels and trace harmful metals leaching were measured. XRD, BEI and EDS were used to characterize the mineral… More >