BioResources (E-Journal)
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Lignin in Place of Carbon Black for Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer Based Automotive Sealing Profiles
No full textThis study examined the effects of lignin used in EPDM elastomer composites in place of carbon black. For that purpose, lignin was added in amounts of 3.5, 7, and 10.5 phr to investigate the chemical, thermal, rheological, mechanical, and morphological properties of the EPDM elastomers. At the end of the study, tear strength and elongation were enhanced, whereas thermal stability was lowered due to the lignin. The lignin facilitated the vulcanization process and improved the torque values. In the morphology, the lignin was dispersed homogeneously in the matrix, and no voids or cracks were observed except with 10.5 phr. In conclusion, when incorporated at a specified ratio, lignin is economical and provides ecological benefits. Its use as a natural filler can be recommended to automotive industries to provide enhanced properties and ecological properties as a substitute for carbon black
Improving Mechanical Performance of Hybrid Polymer Composites: Incorporating Banana Stem Leaf and Jute Fibers with Tamarind Shell Powder
No full textMechanical properties were evaluated for bio-natural fiber-reinforced epoxy hybrid composites made with varying amounts of jute, banana stem leaves (BSL), and tamarind shell powder (TSP). Each composite design had varying weight percentages of jute and BSL (5 to 25%) and a consistent mix of TSP (10%) and epoxy resin (60%). The tensile strength, flexural strength, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), impact strength, hardness, and water absorption were examined. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate chemical bonding and morphology. The findings indicated a relationship between fiber and filler content and mechanical properties of composites, with 20% jute fiber content resulting in the highest performance. The tensile strength of the composite increased by 24.6%, rising from 32.4 MPa for the 5% jute and 25% banana stem leaves (5J25BSL) composite to 40.4 MPa for the 20% jute and 10% banana stem leaves (20J10BSL) composite. Similarly, the flexural strength saw a 27.9% improvement, increasing from 67.2 MPa in the 5J25BSL composite to 86.0 MPa in the 20J10BSL composite. The impact strength also experienced a notable increase of 39.1%, moving from 2.56 J for the 5J25BSL composite to 3.56 J for the 20J10BSL composite. These results highlight significant improvements in all three properties, as the proportion of jute in the composite increased and the proportion of banana stem leaves decreased. This research influences material selection for engineering applications and informs the development of specialized composite materials
Investigating the Influence of Desulfurization Fly Ash on the Upgrading of Biomass-Derived Pyrolysis Gas
No full textThe catalytic role of desulfurization fly ash (DFA) was explored as a means to upgrade biomass-derived pyrolysis gas, with a focus on integrating waste valorization and renewable energy production. Soybean straw (SS) was pyrolyzed with DFA to assess the influence on pyrolytic product distribution. The results indicate that DFA notably influenced the yield and quality of pyrolysis gas, with optimal yields achieved at specific DFA concentrations. The study also demonstrated that DFA enhanced the production of methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2) while reducing carbon monoxide (CO), thereby improving the lower heating value of pyrolysis gas. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to characterize the char, showing increased surface area and pore volume due to DFA addition. The study concluded that DFA is an effective catalyst in biomass gasification, providing valuable insights into its catalytic mechanisms and potential for industrial application
Production of 5-Ethoxymethylfurfural from Glucose Using Bifunctional Catalysts
No full text5-Ethoxymethylfurfural (5-EMF) is a promising liquid fuel or fuel additive due to its high energy density and stability. The conversion of glucose to 5-EMF involves a three-step tandem reaction: isomerization, dehydration, and etherification. However, low catalytic efficiency in these steps has limited 5-EMF yields. To address this, a Fe/ZSM-5 bifunctional catalyst with both Brønsted and Lewis acid sites was developed and characterized using XRD, SEM, XPS, BET, Py-FTIR, and NH3-TPD techniques. The catalyst’s performance in glucose conversion was systematically evaluated. Optimal conditions—20 wt% Fe loading, 180 °C reaction temperature, 10 h reaction time, and a catalyst-to-glucose mass ratio of 1:1—resulted in 97.1% glucose conversion and a 38.4% 5-EMF yield. Reaction kinetics followed a first-order model with an activation energy of 32.6 kJ/mol. The catalyst maintained over 94% glucose conversion after five cycles, demonstrating its stability. These findings underscore the potential of the Fe/ZSM-5 bifunctional catalyst for efficient glucose valorization to 5-EMF and provide key insights for process optimization
Hydrochar Prepared from Aquatic and Terrestrial Biomass: Comparative Analysis of Characteristics and Applications
No full textThe benefits of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) for carbon sequestration, energy, and soil remediation are widely recognized. Up to the present, there has been much research on hydrochar from terrestrial biomass residues, but there is little research on hydrochar based on aquatic plants. In this study, the physical and chemical properties of water hyacinth (representative of aquatic plants) and corn stalk (representative of terrestrial plants) were systematically analyzed under the condition of single hydrothermal carbonization. The results showed that water hyacinth-based hydrochar (WHHC) had well-developed pores, rich functional groups, and high nitrogen content. Among them, the nitrogen content of WHHC was 3.83%, which was more than three times the nitrogen content of corn straw-based hydrothermal carbon (CSHC) (1.11%), and the number of micropores, mesoporous pores, and macropores were also higher than that of CSHC. These differences were attributed to the contrasting growing environments and main components of water hyacinth and corn stalk. These differences revealed their potential application directions: WHHC can be used as an adsorbent and soil amendment; CSHC is more suitable as a supplementary energy source because of its higher carbon content and stability
Cultural Symbols Migration and User Perception: Innovation in Chinese-Style Furniture Design
No full textThe design of Chinese-style furniture (CSF) strives to preserve cultural symbols and aesthetic features while enhancing user experience and emotional resonance. This paper explored how to optimize the design of CSF by analyzing the relationships between affective vocabulary, cultural symbols, and user perception, aiming to narrow the gap between designer intent and user perception, thereby enhancing emotional resonance and user satisfaction. An Affinity Diagram was employed to collect and organize affective vocabulary related to furniture design. Subjective weights of the affective vocabulary were calculated using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and objective weights were determined through the Entropy Weight (EW) Method. The Coupling Coordination Degree (CCD) Method was applied to identify the core affective vocabulary. The artifact shapes and patterns from the Haihunhou tomb site were analyzed to extract representative design elements. Finally, the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) Method was utilized to examine the mapping relationships between core affective vocabulary and the artifact shapes and patterns, ranking the characteristics of these elements. The optimized design elements were integrated into the design of a Chinese-style chair. The incorporation of cultural symbols and affective vocabulary into Chinese-style chair design enhanced user experience and emotional identification, providing a viable path for innovation in CSF design
Performance of Laminated Veneer Lumber Panels from Fast-Growing Species with Different Layering Arrangements
No full textThis study investigated the effect of various layer arrangements and their impact on the properties of laminated veneer lumber (LVL). Seven different layer arrangements (CCCCCCC, DDDDDDD, PPPPPPP, CDDDDDC, CPPPPPC, CDDCDDC, CPPCPPC, CDCDCDC, CPCPCPC, CCDDDCC, CCPPPCC, CCDCDCC, and CCPCPCC) were used in the manufacturing of the LVL, with each arrangement represented by a combination of the three wood species: hornbeam (C), paulownia (P), and poplar (D). The veneers were bonded with a polyurethane adhesive and pressed under 1 MPa pressure. The physical and mechanical properties of the laminated veneer lumber, including modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, block shear, delamination, and swelling, were measured under both dry and cyclic conditions (boil and dry). The modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity of the LVLs increased when the proportion of hornbeam in the lamination increased. In the cyclic boil-dry condition, the laminated veneer lumbers with the configurations CPCPCPC and CDCDCDC showed the best structural performance. Furthermore, the study found that when one or two upper layers of poplar and paulownia were replaced with hornbeam layers, cracks were observed in the laminated veneer lumber samples. However, when the layers of poplar and paulownia were replaced with hornbeam alternately, no cracks were observed after saturating the laminated veneer lumber with water. The utilization of an alternating arrangement of poplar and paulownia layers with hornbeam in LVL can be used as an effective and cost-efficient approach for enhancing and reinforcing the LVL performance
Effects of Heavy Metal Contamination on Fungal Diversity in Pinus brutia Shoots
No full textThe effects of heavy metal pollution have become a significant global issue in recent years. The primary objective of the present study was to compare the heavy metal concentrations in Pinus brutia shoots grown in an organized industrial zone (OIZ) and a forested area (Adalar) and to examine how these heavy metals affect fungal microbiota. The results achieved here showed that Ni and V concentrations were lower than the detectable limits in both the Adalar and the OIZ region, whereas Se and Cu concentrations were lower than the detectable limits in the shoots collected from the Adalar. Concentrations determined in samples collected from the OIZ were approximately 6 times higher for Cr and 16 times higher for Zn in comparison to the samples collected from the Adalar. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the most common fungal genera were Aureobasidium, Gibberella, Hazslinszkyomyces, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Buckleyzyma, Lasiodiplodia, and Hormonema for the OIZ area and Hormonema, Aureobasidium, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Arthrinium, Fonsecazyma, and Truncatella for the Adalar region. In the future, this study may serve as a reference for the development of innovative strategies for the remediation of heavy metal pollution for a sustainable and clean environment using biological sources
Anti-photoaging Effects of Steam-exploded Pine (Pinus densiflora) Extract in Ultraviolet B Irradiation-damaged HaCaT Keratinocytes
No full textUltraviolet B (UVB) irradiation causes photoaging, such as wrinkles, roughness and dryness of the skin, and it activates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokines. In this study, the anti-photoaging activity of SEP-E (steam-exploded pine extract) was evaluated in HaCaT keratinocytes damaged by UVB irradiation. SEP-E treatment showed cytoprotective effects in HaCaT keratinocytes irradiated with UVB (40 mJ/cm2). SEP-E treatment reduced ROS overproduction and promoted the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, superoxide dismutase 1, and superoxide dismutase 2. Additionally, SEP-E treatment suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin 6, interleukin 8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Consequently, SEP-E shows potential as a natural material for photoaging treatment
Optimisation of Nitrogen Plasma Exposure Time for Surface Modification of Cotton Fibre
No full textSurface modification via plasma treatment is useful in improving textile-based wound dressing functionality. This study was conducted to optimise the nitrogen plasma exposure time and its effect on the cotton surface (CS) properties at a constant nitrogen flow rate of 20 sccm for 5 to 30 min. The optimisation was done by analysing the alteration in morphology, functional group composition, crystallinity phase, electrokinetic charge, and colour of CS as subjected to nitrogen plasma. CS experienced an etching effect due to the presence of microcracks on its surface, with its electrokinetic charge becoming less negative, ranging from -5.51 to -1.32 mV. Then, the nitrogen functional group was detected on CS ranging from 2.9% to 4.5%, with its whiteness index reduced to 8.67% compared to the pristine cotton. As a result, 20 min was selected as the optimum exposure time for surface treatment because the exposure time of 30 min showed an early sign of degradation, which reduced its crystallinity index by 11.1%. Apparently, activated CS experienced slight changes in its molecular structure without affecting its bulk properties. Thus, the plasma-modified CS is useful in creating a biocompatible wound dressing that can anchor therapeutic biomaterial and improve healing