Ming Ni¹, Lei Li¹, Yiqiang Wu^1,*, Jianzheng Qiao¹, Yan Qing¹, Ping Li², Yingfeng Zuo^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.8, pp. 1355-1368, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.054050 - 06 September 2024

Abstract Furfurylated wood exhibits excellent dimensional stability and corrosion resistance, making it a promising material for constructing buildings, but it is highly flammable. Herein, flame-retardant furfurylated poplar wood was produced via a two-step process utilizing boric acid (BA) and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) as flame-retardant components, and biomass-derived furfuryl alcohol (FA) as a modifier. The acidity of BA and ADP allowed them to catalyze the polymerization of FA, which formed a cross-linked network that immobilized BA and ADP inside the wood. The addition of BA/ADP substantially delayed the time to ignition from 10 to 385 s More > Graphic Abstract

Selwin Maria Sekar¹, Rajini Nagarajan^1,*, Ponsuriyaprakash Selvakumar², Ismail Sikiru Oluwarotimi³, Kumar Krishnan⁴, Faruq Mohammad⁵, Mohammed Rafi Shaik⁵, Nadir Ayrilmis^6,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.8, pp. 1455-1474, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.052952 - 06 September 2024

Abstract An innovative microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) natural fibre powder-reinforced PLA biocomposite was investigated using the hand lay-up technique. The polymer matrix composite (PMC) samples were prepared by varying the weight percentages (wt.%) of both PLA matrix and MCC reinforcement: pure PLA/100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50 wt.%, respectively. From the results obtained, MCC powder, with its impressive aspect ratio, proved to be an ideal reinforcement for the PLA, exhibiting exceptional mechanical properties. It was evident that the 80:20 wt.% biocomposite sample exhibited the maximum improvement in the tensile, flexural, notched impact, compressive strength and hardness… More >

Redžo Hasanagić^1,*, Umejr Šljivo¹, Leila Fathi², Pallavi Gautam³, Mohsen Bahmani^2,*, Miha Humar⁴

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.8, pp. 1417-1431, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.052826 - 06 September 2024

Abstract This study investigated the mechanical properties of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and fir (Abies alba) wood from Bosnia and Herzegovina under outdoor exposure. Samples were exposed for 3-month exposure to assess bending strength, color changes, and surface quality. Results showed outdoor exposure negatively affected mechanical properties, particularly in samples with extended finger joints, causing significant surface cracks in uncoated samples. Beech wood exhibited notable color changes under exposure, with approximately 50% darkening without coating compared to 25% under covered conditions. Coated samples displayed minimal color changes, affirming the efficacy of surface treatment. Fir wood exhibited a roughness More > Graphic Abstract

Jajang Sutiawan¹, Alifah Syahfitri², Sukma Surya Kusumah¹, Dede Hermawan^2,*, Rita Kartika Sari², Luthfi Hakim³, Efri Mardawati^4,5, Muhammad Adly Rahandi Lubis^1,4,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.8, pp. 1383-1397, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.052052 - 06 September 2024

Abstract Molasses can serve as a natural adhesive for plywood and particleboard. However, several disadvantages remain, including lower dimensional stability and low bonding strength compared to other adhesives. Therefore, modifications are needed to use molasses as an adhesive for plywood. This research aims to improve bio-based molasses (MO) adhesive for plywood using citric acid (CA) adhesive. In addition, this research aims to analyze the effect of adding citric acid and to investigate the optimum hot-pressing temperature to produce the best quality plywood. In the first stage, the molasses and citric acid were combined in a ratio… More > Graphic Abstract

Awanda Wira Anggini^1,2, Rita Kartika Sari², Efri Mardawati^3,4, Tati Karliati⁵, Apri Heri Iswanto⁶, Muhammad Adly Rahandi Lubis^1,4,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.7, pp. 1165-1186, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.051854 - 21 August 2024

Abstract More than a century after its initial synthesis, urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins still have dominant applications as adhesives, paints, and coatings. However, formaldehyde in this industry produces formaldehyde emissions that are dangerous to health. Scientists have spent the last decade replacing formaldehyde and phenol with environmentally friendly substances such as glyoxal and tannin to create bio-based adhesives. This review covers recent advances in synthesizing glyoxal tannin-based resins, especially those made from sustainable raw material substitutes and changes made to synthetic processes to improve mechanical properties. The efficacy of using tannin-glyoxal adhesives in producing wood-based composites has… More > Graphic Abstract

Jaewook Lee¹, Byung-Dae Park^1,*, Qinglin Wu²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.7, pp. 1187-1205, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.049948 - 21 August 2024

Abstract Lignin is the most abundant aromatic natural polymer, and receiving great attention in replacing various petroleum-based polymers. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of technical lignin as a polyol for the synthesis of non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) adhesives to substitute current polyurethane (PU) adhesives that have been synthesized with toxic isocyanate and polyols. Crude hardwood kraft lignin (C-HKL) was extracted from black liquor from a pulp mill followed by acetone fractionation to obtain acetone soluble-HKL (AS-HKL). Then, C-HKL, AS-HKL, and softwood sodium lignosulfonate (LS) were used for the synthesis of technical lignin-based… More > Graphic Abstract

Aleksandra Jeżo^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.6, pp. 1029-1042, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.051330 - 02 August 2024

Abstract Bark extracts are sustainable sources of biopolymers and hold great promise for replacing fossil fuel-based polymers, for example, in wood-based composites. In addition to primary and secondary metabolites, tree bark also contains suberin, which plays a major role in protecting the tree from environmental conditions. Suberin is a natural aliphatic-aromatic cross-linked polyester present in the cell walls of both normal and damaged external tissues, the main component of which are long-chain aliphatic acids. Its main role as a plant ingredient is to protect against microbiological factors and water loss. One of the most important suberin More >

Shoukai Lin^1,3,4,*, Yifan Xiong², Shichang Xu^1,2, Manegdebwaoaga Arthur Fabrice Kabore², Fan Lin⁵, Fuxiang Qiu^1,2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.7, pp. 1485-1502, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.050990 - 30 July 2024

Abstract The SWEET (sugar will eventually be exported transporter) family proteins are a recently identified class of sugar transporters that are essential for various physiological processes. Although the functions of the SWEET proteins have been identified in a number of species, to date, there have been no reports of the functions of the SWEET genes in woodland strawberries (Fragaria vesca). In this study, we identified 15 genes that were highly homologous to the A. thaliana AtSWEET genes and designated them as FvSWEET1–FvSWEET15. We then conducted a structural and evolutionary analysis of these 15 FvSWEET genes. The phylogenetic analysis enabled us… More >

Ryan G. McQueen¹, Nikki M. Singh², Ronald K. Woods^3,*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.19, No.3, pp. 257-266, 2024, DOI:10.32604/chd.2024.052108 - 26 July 2024

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to compare cardiac transplant operative and postoperative courses of patients with failed Fontan physiology who were initially palliated with a Norwood (FFN) to those without a prior Norwood (FF). Methods: A single-institution retrospective review of all patients with Fontan failure who underwent cardiac transplantation from 2003–2021 was completed—22 underwent prior Norwood (FFN) and 11 did not (FF). Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated for operative course and patient outcomes. Results: The operative course of the FFN cohort appeared to be more complex (not statistically significant, but clinically relevant)—this group… More >

Haoping Yao¹, Xinyu Zhong², Chunxia He^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.5, pp. 993-1006, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.047758 - 17 July 2024

Abstract To make full use of plant shell fibers (rice husk, walnut shell, chestnut shell), three kinds of wood-plastic composites of plant shell fibers and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were prepared. X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out on three kinds of plant shell fibers to test their crystallinity. The aging process of the composites was conducted under 2 different conditions. One was artificial seawater immersion and xenon lamp irradiation, and the other one was deionized water spray and xenon lamp irradiation. The mechanical properties (tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength), changes in color, water absorption, Fourier transform… More >