Youssef Maaloufa^1,2,3,*, Soumia Mounir^1,2,3, Sara Ibnelhaj², Fatima Zohra El Wardi⁶, Asma Souidi³, Yakubu Aminu Dodo^4,5, Malika Atigui³, Mina Amazal³, Abelhamid Khabbazi², Hassan Demrati³, Ahmed Aharoune³

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.4, pp. 843-867, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.049942

Abstract The development of bio-sourced materials is essential to ensuring sustainable construction; it is considered a locomotive of the green economy. Furthermore, it is an abundant material in our country, to which very little attention is being given. This work aims to valorize the waste of the trunks of banana trees to be used in construction. Firstly, the physicochemical properties of the fiber, such as the percentage of crystallization and its morphology, have been determined by X-ray diffraction tests and scanning electron microscopy to confirm the potential and the impact of the mode of drying on… More >

Wadah Mohammed^1,2, Zeinab Osman², Salah Elarabi³, Bertrand Charrier^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.4, pp. 721-736, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.031050

Abstract The chemical composition and thermal properties of natural fibers are the most critical variables that determine the overall properties of the fibers and influence their processing and use in different sustainable applications, such as their conversion into bioenergy and biocomposites. Their thermal and mechanical properties can be estimated by evaluating the content of cellulose, lignin, and other extractives in the fibers. In this research work, the chemical composition and thermal properties of three fibers, namely bagasse, kenaf bast fibers, and cotton stalks, were evaluated to assess their potential utilization in producing biocomposites and bioenergy materials.… More >

Xiangmiao Wan, Yan Tan^*, Xiong Long

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.18, No.4, pp. 505-524, 2024, DOI:10.32604/sdhm.2024.049363

Abstract In this study, we assessed the impact of substituting natural fine aggregates with municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI-BA) in steel fiber (SF)-reinforced concrete on its compressive properties post high-temperature exposure. The concrete specimens incorporating MSWI-BA as the fine aggregate and SFs for reinforcement underwent uniaxial compression tests after exposure to high temperatures. Through the tests, we investigated the impact of high-temperature exposure on mechanical properties, such as mass loss rate, stress-strain full curve, compressive strength, peak strain, elastic modulus, and so on, over different thermostatic durations. The analysis revealed that with the increasing… More >

RITESH D. BHATT, JIGNESH P. PATEL, P. H. PARSANIA^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.38, No.1-2, pp. 71-87, 2021, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2021.38.1-2.7

Abstract Glass/Biofibers/Epoxy methacrylate of bisphenol-C (G/BF/EBCMAS) sandwich composites was prepared by compression molding. G/BF/EBCMAS showed good mechanical and good to excellent electrical properties and excellent chemical resistance. Studied properties are compared with EBCMAS and G/EBCMAS. In comparison with G/EBCMAS, G/BF/EBCMAS showed considerable decline of tensile strength (18-63.4%), flexural strength (18.8-38.7%), flexural modulus (12.8-50.7%), Izod impact strength (17.4-43.5%), Barcol hardness (2.1-16.7%) and dielectric strength (23.8-76.8%) except flexural strength of G/BM/EBCMAS. G/WC/EBCMAS (96.7%), G/B/EBCMAS (79.2%), G/GN/EBCMAS (83.3%) and G/RH/EBCMAS (97.9%) showed decline of volume resistivity, whereas other sandwich composites showed 1150-58233% improvement. The decrease in mechanical properties and More >

RITESH D. BHATT, JIGNESH P. PATEL, PARSOTAM H. PARSANIA^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.39, No.3-4, pp. 223-239, 2022, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2022.39.3-4.4

Abstract Compression-molded epoxy methacrylate of bisphenol-C-jute/treated jute-banana/groundnut/ cane sugar/pineapple leaf/rice husk/wheat husk sandwich composites were fabricated under 5 MPa pressure at room temperature for 3 h. Alkali treated jute-natural fiber sandwich composites displayed considerably improved mechanical properties over untreated jute-natural fiber sandwich composites due to surface modification of the jute fibers. Both types of sandwich composites showed high water uptake tendency, excellent hydrolytic stability against acids, alkali, and salt solutions, and also a longer equilibrium time at 30o C. Alkali treated sandwich composites revealed a considerably lower water uptake tendency than untreated sandwich composites. Observed water More >

RITESH D. BHATT, JIGNESH P. PATEL, PARSOTAM H. PARSANIA^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.39, No.3-4, pp. 205-221, 2022, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2022.39.3-4.3

Abstract Epoxy methacrylate of bisphenol-C-jute/treated jute and their sandwich composites of white coir, brown coir, wild almond, bamboo, betel nut, and palmyra were prepared by a compression molding technique under 5MPa pressure and at room temperature for three h. The neat sample showed almost double tensile strength than its jute composite, while it is comparable for treated jute. The composites revealed substantially improved flexural strength compared to neat. The neat, jute/treated jute and their sandwich composites indicated good impact strength, pretty good Barcol hardness, and fairly good electric strength. The neat sample showed excellent volume resistivity, More >

SUBRATA PAL^1,2, BHUVNESHWAR RAI¹, AJAY KUMAR TYAGI¹, SUNITA RATTAN², VIRENDRA KUMAR³

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.39, No.1-2, pp. 55-70, 2022, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2022.39.1-2.4

Abstract The present work is focused on the study of antimicrobial and water absorption properties of the surface of grafted rayon fiber with quaternary ammonium-based salts containing 3- Acrylamidopropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (APTAC) monomer induced by gamma radiation. Grafting was qualitatively confirmed by FTIR-ATR,TGA, SEM and by calculating grafting yield and grafting efficiency. The performance was examined for water absorbency and antibacterial efficacy (R) against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Study showed that water absorption, grafting yield and grafting efficiency increased steadily with the increase in monomer concentration and absorbed gamma irradiation More >

RITESH D. BHATT, JIGNESH P. PATEL, PARSOTAM H. PARSANIA^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.39, No.1-2, pp. 37-53, 2022, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2022.39.1-2.3

Abstract Compression-molded epoxy methacrylate of bisphenol-C-jute/treated jute-banana/groundnut/ cane sugar/pineapple leaf/rice husk/wheat husk sandwich composites were fabricated under 5 MPa pressure at room temperature for 3 h. Alkali treated jute-natural fiber sandwich composites displayed considerably improved mechanical properties over untreated jute-natural fiber sandwich composites due to surface modification of the jute fibers. Both types of sandwich composites showed high water uptake tendency, excellent hydrolytic stability against acids, alkali, and salt solutions, and also a longer equilibrium time at 30o C. Alkali treated sandwich composites revealed a considerably lower water uptake tendency than untreated sandwich composites. Observed water More >

Mohammad Javad SheikhMozafari^*

Sound & Vibration, Vol.58, pp. 81-100, 2024, DOI:10.32604/sv.2024.048897

Abstract Mitigating low-frequency noise poses a significant challenge for acoustic engineers, due to their long wavelength, with conventional porous sound absorbers showing limitations in attenuating such noise. An effective strategy involves combining porous materials with micro-perforated plates (MPP) to address this issue. Given the significant impact of structural variables like panel thickness, hole diameter, and air gap on the acoustic characteristics of MPP, achieving the optimal condition demands numerous sample iterations. The impedance tube’s considerable expense for sound absorption measurement and the substantial cost involved in fabricating each sample using a 3D printer underscore the advantage… More > Graphic Abstract

Lei Liu^*, Shenao Pang, Zhuhui Luo

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.11, pp. 3891-3906, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.028192

Abstract The recycling of carbon fibers and protection from unwanted microwave radiation are two important environmental issues that need to be addressed in modern society. Herein, branched carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were grown in-situ on recycled carbon fibers (RCFs) through the chemical vapor deposition method using nickel as catalysts and thiophene as aided-catalysts. The effect of thiophene on the growth morphology of CNFs was investigated. Correspondingly, branched CNFs-RCFs and straight CNFs-RCFs were respectively obtained in the presence and absence of thiophene. The microstructure and electromagnetic behaviour investigations have shown that the branched CNFs possess a typical multi-branched structure, More > Graphic Abstract