Tanyawan Suwandecha¹, Supachai Pisuchpen^2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.11, pp. 1811-1836, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.056334 - 22 November 2024

Abstract This study investigated the development of mycelium-based biofoams as sustainable cushioning materials using Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus squarrosulus, combined with different sawdust substrates, and subjected to various pressing methods. The results indicated significant effects of mushroom species, sawdust type, and pressing method on the properties of biofoams. Growth rate, morphology, chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties, water resistance, and cushioning factor were evaluated. The results indicated that Lentinus squarrosulus (LS) exhibited faster growth rates (up to 14.37 mm/day) and produced biofoams with superior properties compared to Pleurotus ostreatus (PO). Core wood (CW) sawdust generally resulted in biofoams with lower… More > Graphic Abstract

Ponusa Songtipya^1,2,*, Thummanoon Prodpran^1,2, Ladawan Songtipya^1,2, Theerarat Sengsuk¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.5, pp. 951-967, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.049068 - 17 July 2024

Abstract The synergistic effect of organoclay (OC) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles on the crucial properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposite films was systematically investigated herein. After their incorporation into PLA via the solvent casting technique, the water vapor barrier property of the PLA/OC/ZnO film improved by a maximum of 86% compared to the neat PLA film without the deterioration of Young’s modulus or the tensile strength. Moreover, the film’s self-antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens, including gram-negative (Escherichia coli, E. coli) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, S. aureus) bacteria, was enhanced by a maximum of approximately 98–99% compared to the neat… More > Graphic Abstract

Mingxuan He¹, Yahui Zheng¹, Jiaming Shen¹, Jiawei Shi¹, Yongzheng Zhang¹, Yinghong Xiao^2,*, Jianfei Che^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.2, pp. 215-233, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.043659 - 11 March 2024

Abstract

The abuse of plastic food packaging has brought about severe white pollution issues around the world. Developing green and sustainable biomass packaging is an effective way to solve this problem. Hence, a chitosan/sodium alginate-based multilayer film is fabricated via a layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly method. With the help of superior interaction between the layers, the multilayer film possesses excellent mechanical properties (with a tensile strength of 50 MPa). Besides, the film displays outstanding water retention property (blocking moisture of 97.56%) and ultraviolet blocking property. Anthocyanin is introduced into the film to detect the food quality since

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Yifan Liu¹, Shufeng Ma², Feijie Wang¹, Liqiang Wang^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.11, pp. 3831-3846, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.028251 - 31 October 2023

Abstract The molded pulp, a product of three-dimensional papermaking technology, is environmentally friendly and has a low environmental impact due to its ability to decompose quickly in the natural environment after disposal. The application of molded pulp for food packaging can replace or reduce the use of plastic food packaging. Researchers extract fibers from plants for the production of safe and hygienic molded pulp for food packaging, and they also study and enhance the qualities of molded pulp to broaden its use in the food industry. This paper reviews the sources and varieties of plant fiber More > Graphic Abstract

Hui Zheng^1,2, Xiaohan Chen², Li Li², Dawei Qi¹, Jiale Wang¹, Jiaying Lou^1,*, Wenjun Wang^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.10, pp. 3693-3709, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.027748 - 10 August 2023

Abstract The issue of plastic pollution has attracted widespread social attention. Gelatin is valued as a degradable bio-based material, especially as an edible active packaging material. However, the commonly used solution-casting filmforming technology limits the mass production of gelatin films. In order to improve the production efficiency and enhance the commercial value of gelatin films, in this study, fish gelatin (FG) particles were successfully blended with essential oils (EOs) to prepare active films by melt extrusion technique, a common method for commercial plastics, and applied to bread preservation. FG and EOs showed good compatibility with each… More > Graphic Abstract

Jakkid Sanetuntikul¹, Borwon Narupai², Nawadon Petchwattana^3,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.9, pp. 3567-3582, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.029308 - 20 July 2023

Abstract Wastes from polypropylene (PP) packages are accumulating every year because it is one of the most widely consumed and short lifecycle products. This paper aims to develop low thermal conductive and fire-retardant materials from post-consumer PP (pPP) packages. Ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and hollow glass microsphere (HGM) were further added to improve the fire retardancy and thermal conductivity of pPP. The influence of APP and HGM on the mechanical and thermal properties, fire retardancy and thermal conductivity of pPP were investigated and compared with that of virgin PP (vPP). HGM was constantly added at 5 wt%… More > Graphic Abstract

Xiaoyan Liu^1,2, Zhao Qin^1,2,*, Yuxiang Ma^1,2, Huamin Liu^1,2,*, Xuede Wang^1,2

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.8, pp. 3203-3225, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.027613 - 26 June 2023

Abstract Packaging is a food preservation technology widely used in the world. Naturally-sourced, biodegradable polymers are becoming increasingly popular in the food packaging sector. Packaging films prepared using cellulose as raw material would contribute to resource sustainability, but the difficulty of cellulose solubilization limits their further development. In view of this, a series of novel solvent systems (LiCl/DMAc, ILs, TBAH/DMSO, NMMO, alkali/urea solutions, metal-complex solutions) were used to prepare high-strength and high-performance cellulose-based films; their characteristics and the mechanisms involved were investigated. Composite films prepared by blending cellulose with various polymers (synthetic polymers, natural polymers, proteins More > Graphic Abstract

Xingye Xu¹, Haiyan Song^1,2,*, Lijun Wang^1,2

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.135, No.1, pp. 275-292, 2023, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2022.022637 - 29 September 2022

Abstract The sandwich structure of cushioning packaging has an important influence on the cushioning performance. Mathematical fractal theory is an important graphic expression. Based on Hilbert fractal theory, a new sandwich structure was designed. The generation mechanism and recurrence formula of the Hilbert fractal were expressed by Lin’s language, and the second-order Hilbert sandwich structure was constructed from thermoplastic polyurethane. The constitutive model of the hyperelastic body was established by using the finite element method. With the unit mass energy absorption as the optimization goal, the fractal sandwich structure was optimized, and the best result was More >

Long Li, Yanan Lu, Yu Chen, Jiayi Bian, Li Wang, Li Li^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 291-307, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.021456 - 10 August 2022

Abstract Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are an effective antibacterial agent, but their application in food packaging is limited due to their easy agglomeration and oxidation. In this study, antibacterial microcapsules were fabricated using Ginkgo biloba essential oil (GBEO) as core material and chitosan and type B gelatin biopolymer as capsule materials. These antibacterial microcapsules were then modified with green-synthesized Ag NPs, blended into the biopolymer polylactic acid (PLA), and finally formed as films. Physicochemical properties and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were evaluated. Results showed that the prepared antibacterial PLA films exhibited excellent antibacterial More > Graphic Abstract

Joselito Olalo^*

Energy Engineering, Vol.119, No.2, pp. 555-567, 2022, DOI:10.32604/EE.2022.018864 - 24 January 2022

Abstract Unlike plastic, biomass can also be converted and produce high quality of biofuel. Co-pyrolysis of coconut husk (CH) and laminated plastic packaging (LPP) were done in this study. Synergy between these two feedstock was calculated by using thermogravimetric (TGA) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) analysis. Different activation energies of the reactions in the co-pyrolysis of CH and LPP were evaluated using the Coats-Redfern method. Results showed an activation energy ranging from 8 to 37 kJ/mol in the different percentage composition of the co-pyrolysis. Also, thermal degradation happens in two-stages in the copyrolysis of CH and LPP, More >