Biodegradable Nanocomposite Films Based on Sodium Alginate and Cellulose Nanofibrils

Author

B. Deepa ^1,2

,Eldho Abraham ³

,Laly A. Pothan ^1,* ,Nereida Cordeiro ⁴

,Marisa Faria ⁴

 andSabu Thomas ⁵

¹

Department of Chemistry, Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara-690101, Kerala, India

²

Department of Chemistry, Church Missionary Society(C.M.S) College, Kottayam-686001, Kerala, India

³

Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, POB 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel

⁴

Faculty of Exact Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, 9000-390 Funchal, Portugal

⁵

School of Chemical Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam-686560, Kerala, India

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Academic Editor: Marco Morreale

Received: 30 September 2015 / Revised: 30 December 2015 / Accepted: 11 January 2016 / Published: 14 January 2016

Abstract

Biodegradable nanocomposite films were prepared by incorporation of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) into alginate biopolymer using the solution casting method. The effects of CNF content (2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 and 15 wt %) on mechanical, biodegradability and swelling behavior of the nanocomposite films were determined. The results showed that the tensile modulus value of the nanocomposite films increased from 308 to 1403 MPa with increasing CNF content from 0% to 10%; however, it decreased with further increase of the filler content. Incorporation of CNF also significantly reduced the swelling percentage and water solubility of alginate-based films, with the lower values found for 10 wt % in CNF. Biodegradation studies of the films in soil confirmed that the biodegradation time of alginate/CNF films greatly depends on the CNF content. The results evidence that the stronger intermolecular interaction and molecular compatibility between alginate and CNF components was at 10 wt % in CNF alginate films. View Full-Text

Keywords: cellulose nanofibrils; sodium alginate; nanocomposite films; solvent casting; mechanical properties

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. (CC BY 4.0).

MDPI and ACS Style

Deepa, B.; Abraham, E.; Pothan, L.A.; Cordeiro, N.; Faria, M.; Thomas, S. Biodegradable Nanocomposite Films Based on Sodium Alginate and Cellulose Nanofibrils. Materials 2016, 9, 50.

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Evaluation of Castor Oil Cake Starch and Recovered Glycerol and Development of “Green” Composites Based on Those with Plant Fibers

Author

José Luis Guimarães ¹

,Ana Cristina Trindade Cursino ²

,Cyro Ketzer Saul ³

,Maria Rita Sierrakowski ²

,Luiz Pereira Ramos ²

 andKestur Gundappa Satyanarayana ^2,†,* 

¹

Setor de Educação Profissional e Tecnológica; Universidade Federal do Paraná—UFPR, Centro Politécnico, Rua Alcides Vieira Arcoverde, 1225, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81520-260, Brazil

²

Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal do Paraná—UFPR, Centro Politécnico, P. B. No.19081, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-980, Brazil

³

Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Paraná—UFPR, Centro Politécnico, P. B. No.19044, Jardim das Américas, Curitiba 81531-980, Brazil

^†

Present Address: Poornaprajna Scientific Research Institute, (PPISR), Bidalur Post, Devanahalli, Bangalore-562 110, Karnataka, India

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Academic Editor: Aldo Boccaccini

Received: 14 December 2015 / Accepted: 13 January 2016 / Published: 27 January 2016

Abstract

Continuous efforts are being made in some countries for the recovery of crude glycerin (RG/CG) and castor oil cake (COC), the two byproducts of biodiesel production. These are expected to help, not only in addressing environmental safety, but also in adding value to those byproducts, which otherwise may go to waste. Finding ways to utilize those byproducts underlines the main objective of this study. This paper presents the evaluation of (i) COC, glycerin and banana and sugarcane fibers for moisture content; (ii) COC for structural and thermal properties; and (iii) CG for its chemical characteristics. The possibility of using COC and CG with the selected fibers as reinforcement in the development of bio-composites is attempted through thermo-molding. Results revealed enhanced mechanical properties for these composites. The obtained results are discussed in terms of the observed morphology. View Full-Text

Keywords: fibers; castor oil cake; starch; glycerol; thermo-molding; green composites

▼ Figures

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. (CC BY 4.0).

MDPI and ACS Style

Guimarães, J.L.; Trindade Cursino, A.C.; Ketzer Saul, C.; Sierrakowski, M.R.; Ramos, L.P.; Satyanarayana, K.G. Evaluation of Castor Oil Cake Starch and Recovered Glycerol and Development of “Green” Composites Based on Those with Plant Fibers. Materials 2016, 9, 76.

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Effects of Wet/Dry-Cycling and Plasma Treatments on the Properties of Flax Nonwovens Intended for Composite Reinforcing

Author

Heura Ventura ¹

,Josep Claramunt ²

,Antonio Navarro ³

,Miguel A. Rodriguez-Perez ⁴

 andMònica Ardanuy ^1,* 

¹

Departament d’Enginyeria Tèxtil i Paperera, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, Colom 11, Terrassa 08222, Spain

²

Departament d’Enginyeria Agroalimentària i Biotecnologia, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, Av. del Canal Olímpic 15, Castelldefels 08860, Spain

³

Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, Colom 1, Terrassa 08222, Spain

⁴

Cellular Materials Laboratory, Condensed Matter Physics Department, Universidad de Valladolid, Paseo Belén 4, Facultad de Ciencias, Valladolid 47011, Spain

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Academic Editor: Marco Morreale

Received: 27 November 2015 / Revised: 23 December 2015 / Accepted: 25 January 2016 / Published: 3 February 2016

Abstract

This research analyzes the effects of different treatments on flax nonwoven (NW) fabrics which are intended for composite reinforcement. The treatments applied were of two different kinds: a wet/dry cycling which helps to stabilize the cellulosic fibers against humidity changes and plasma treatments with air, argon and ethylene gases considering different conditions and combinations, which produce variation on the chemical surface composition of the NWs. The resulting changes in the chemical surface composition, wetting properties, thermal stability and mechanical properties were determined. Variations in surface morphology could be observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed significant changes to the surface chemistry for the samples treated with argon or air (with more content on polar groups on the surface) and ethylene plasma (with less content of polar groups). Although only slight differences were found in moisture regain and water retention values (WRV), significant changes were found on the contact angle values, thus revealing hydrophilicity for the air-treated and argon-treated samples and hydrophobicity for the ethylene-treated ones. Moreover, for some of the treatments the mechanical testing revealed an increase of the NW breaking force. View Full-Text

Keywords: plasma treatment; cellulose fibers; surface functionalization

▼ Figures

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. (CC BY 4.0).

MDPI and ACS Style

Ventura, H.; Claramunt, J.; Navarro, A.; Rodriguez-Perez, M.A.; Ardanuy, M. Effects of Wet/Dry-Cycling and Plasma Treatments on the Properties of Flax Nonwovens Intended for Composite Reinforcing. Materials 2016, 9, 93.

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Identification, in vitro and in vivo Antioxidant Activity, and Gastrointestinal Stability of Lignans from Silver Fir (Abies alba) Wood Extract

Author

Eva Tavčar Benković ,Dušan Žigon,Vladimir Mihailović,Tanja Petelinc,Polona Jamnik &Samo Kreft

Pages 467-477 | Received 29 Jan 2017, Accepted 07 Jun 2017, Published online: 13 Jul 2017

• Download citation
 
• http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02773813.2017.1340958

Abstract

Lignans are generally known for their beneficial impact on human health. In this study, we found that the water extract of silver fir (Abies alba) wood contains lignans, which constitute approximately 10% of the extract and include isolariciresinol, hydroxymatairesinol, secoisolariciresinol, lariciresinol, pinoresinol, and matairesinol. The antioxidant activity of the extract was measured by several in vitro assays and an assay in a eukaryotic cell model (yeast). The extract had greater in vitro antioxidative activity than ascorbic acid, resveratrol, or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and similar antioxidative activity to epigallocatechin gallate. The intracellular antioxidant effect in the yeast gave indirect evidence that the components of the silver fir wood extract (SFWE) effectively pass through eukaryotic cell membranes and have higher in vivo antioxidative activity than ascorbic acid, resveratrol, tocopheryl succinate, or BHT and similar to epigallocatechin gallate. The in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of the lignans in the extract is not significant; therefore, it is reasonable to expect antioxidative effects from orally applied SFWE.

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A Critical Role for the Presence of Lignocellulosic Material in the Determination of Wood Buffering Capacity

Author

Patryk Król,Renata Toczyłowska-Mamińska &Mariusz Mamiński

Pages 478-484 | Published online: 02 Aug 2017

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• http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02773813.2017.1347683

Abstract

The currently used determinations of wood buffering capacity, which are based on pH-metric titrations of aqueous wood extracts, neglect the effect of lignocellulosic material and the role of its insoluble constituents. This study examined the influence of the presence of wood in a system subjected to titration. A comparison of the results obtained from pine chip extracts and chip suspensions showed that the presence of wood and the wood-to-water ratio were critical factors that affected the measurement of the wood buffering capacity. The evidence showed that the resulting determination may vary by up to six times (0.28–1.99 ml/g), depending upon the conditions of the titration. In addition, it was found that the presence of wood had a neutralizing effect over the course of prolonged pH observations.

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Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development

Author

FabioPolliceSCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR

Available online 21 January 2016.

Peer-review under responsibility of IEREK, International experts for Research Enrichment and Knowledge Exchange.

Copyright © 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

In the past few years, urban population has outnumbered the rural at global scale, and cities, especially in developing and newly industrialized countries, are experiencing a considerable expansive phase. This expansion is often uncontrolled, and it is accompanied by an increase of poverty and social disadvantages, perceived particularly within urban peripheries where, in addition, urban sprawl is causing severe low qualification of the environment. Thus, if, on the one hand, cities can be represented as development drivers, nodes belonging to networks that overcome national boundaries, places where knowledge is produced and re-produced and innovation is generated and transferred, on the other hand they represent the context where unsustainability deriving from this kind of development is most evident, together with its huge range of environmental, economic, social and also cultural contradictions. Degraded green areas in the peripheries act as counterparts to urban parks; the architectural beauty of the city centers, periodically exposed to restyling processes, or areas involved in urban requalification programs, though accompanied by gentrification, contrast with run-down neighborhoods where buildings’ low quality, lacking services and inadequate infrastructure levels cause the wide spread of social deviance and poverty in its diverse forms. Not less evident are contradictions on cultural ground. Cities that should promote their own identity and glean the key from their own development from their cultural peculiarities, are very often inclined to emulate other cities which have achieved meaningful competitiveness performances on international ground, but through logics and planning goals which cannot be replicated in every geographic context. Thus, this tendencies, besides being ineffective and unsustainable in the medium or long term, are the tangible expression of cultural homologation processes that absorb urban identity and waste its endogenous development potential. From this, it derives the importance of a new approach to urban planning, able to interpret territorial needs and attitudes and which can foster the design of actions in order to fulfill territorial potential and valorize its tangible and intangible sources, bringing back centrality to local dimension in its widest meaning. A planning approach “at the service of the territory” instead of favoring, as is often the case, top- bottom choices and planning tools which don’t consider local values and requests of the place where they act, following, on the contrary, external and conforming logics. We refer to formally exemplary but meaningless projects. There can’t be cities’ sustainable development without urban planning but, to be functional to this aim and promote the improvement of urban population’s quality life and a contextual decrease of cities’ ecological footprint, it must be inspired to fundamental principles of sustainability: equity among generations and within the same generation. Thus, urban planning must become a tool able to reduce or limit land and energy consumption, promote social inclusion and cultural interaction, favor networking and encourage the generation of social capital, nurture beauty in all its forms, foster cultural empowerment of individuals and community itself, produce and transfer knowledge. The international conference on Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development, promoted by IEREK in collaboration with UNIVERSITY OF SALENTO has the precise aim to trigger the cultural debate about connections between urban planning and sustainable development, on how the former can contribute in improving our cities’ levels of sustainability and acquire a strategic role in achieving a sustainable development model able to sustain urban expansion and qualify cities’ evolutionary paths. Themes that will be tackled during the event clearly reflect this ambition, starting from the opening sessions that are intended to point out two main themes which are worthy of attention: on one hand, the sustainability of planning project that, in the praxis, often negates the actual principles of sustainable development, showing inadequate attention toward environmental and social issues such as the lack of democratic attitude that characterizes both the design and the implementation of the project; on the other hand, the promotion of what already exists, which has its maximum expression in historic centers’ restoration and reuse projects, as historic centers represent the identity reference for all urban communities and for this reason they fulfill a strategic role in urban development. The conference provides for 16 parallel sessions, hosted in the enchanting Monastero Degli Olivetani, and some events expressly dedicated to the hosting city; in particular, the workshop that will be held on 16th October (morning) is going to deal with urban regeneration projects achieved in Lecce in the most recent years or which are still in the planning stage, in order to analyze their aims and implementation measures and, moreover, reflect about their sustainability within the city and its geographical surrounding. A unique occasion to discuss about an actual case and to create a strong and evident tie between the event in itself and its wonderful location.

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Green Architecture: A Concept of Sustainability

Author

AmanyRaghebaHishamEl-ShimybGhadaRaghebb

a

Department of Architectural Engineering, Delta University for Science and Technology, Mansoura, Egypt

b

Department of Architectural Engineering, Pharos University, Alexandria 21311, Egypt

Available online 21 January 2016.

Abstract

In recent years, sustainability concept has become the common interest of numerous disciplines. The reason for this popularity is to perform the sustainable development. The Concept of Green Architecture, also known as “sustainable architecture” or “green building,” is the theory, science and style of buildings designed and constructed in accordance with environmentally friendly principles. Green architecture strives to minimize the number of resources consumed in the building's construction, use and operation, as well as curtailing the harm done to the environment through the emission, pollution and waste of its components.

To design, construct, operate and maintain buildings energy, water and new materials are utilized as well as amounts of waste causing negative effects to health and environment is generated. In order to limit these effects and design environmentally sound and resource efficient buildings; “green building systems” must be introduced, clarified, understood and practiced.

This paper aims at highlighting these difficult and complex issues of sustainability which encompass the scope of almost every aspect of human life.

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Peer-review under responsibility of IEREK, International experts for Research Enrichment and Knowledge Exchange.

Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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