Agatha E. R. Prado Gárate^1,2, Fernando E. Felissia², María Cristina Area², Teresa Suirezs³, María Evangelina Vallejos^2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.9, pp. 1541-1555, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.052481

Abstract Non-traditional lignocellulosic materials are a significant resource for producing high-value products, including nanocellulose. This work studied the nanocellulose obtention from chemical pulps of the two fast-growing bamboo species, Guadua trinii, and Guadua angustifolia. Chemical pulps were produced by soda-anthraquinone (S) pulping from both autohydrolysis-pretreated (H) and unpretreated bamboo chips. Autohydrolysis-pretreated (SHP) and unpretreated soda-anthraquinone (AQ) (SP) pulps were characterized by yield, Kappa number, alpha, beta, and gamma cellulose, degree of polymerization, water retention value, and crystallinity. The nanocellulose was produced by a sequential chemical oxidation treatment (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl, TEMPO reagent) and mechanical nanofibrillation. Nanocellulose was characterized by carboxylic… More > Graphic Abstract

Patricia Luna^1,*, Juan Lizarazo-Marriaga¹, Alvaro Mariño²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.8, pp. 1399-1416, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.052669

Abstract This study focuses on treating Guadua angustifolia bamboo fibers to enhance their properties for reinforcement applications in composite materials. Chemical (alkali) and physical (dry etching plasma) treatments were used separately to augment compatibility of Guadua angustifolia fibers with various composite matrices. The influence of these treatments on the fibers’ performance, chemical composition, and surface morphology were analyzed. Statistical analysis indicated that alkali treatments reduced the tensile modulus of elasticity and strength of fibers by up to 40% and 20%, respectively, whereas plasma treatments maintain the fibers’ mechanical performance. FTIR spectroscopy revealed significant alterations in chemical composition due More > Graphic Abstract