Environmentally Friendly Oil-Modified Polyesters as Polymeric Plasticizers for Poly(vinyl chloride)

Oil-modified polyesters were synthesized to serve as polymeric plasticizers for PVC. A total of four polymeric plasticizers with different average molecular weights were prepared. Characterizations were done using Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. Some of the tests conducted on PVC films include thermal stability test using thermogravimetric analyser, determination of glass transition temperature (T_g), plasticizer migration and leaching resistance test, morphology study of plasticized PVC films using field emission scanning microscope, toxicity test, and tensile test. Owing to the plasticizing effect of the palm oil-based compound, T_g of the plasticized PVC has decreased to an average of 65 °C at 20 wt% loading. The polymeric plasticizer is also able to contribute positively to the thermal stability and mechanical properties of the PVC films. Some of the advantages of incorporating polymeric plasticizer with high molecular weight includes lower rate of leaching from plastic, and improved tensile strength and elongation at break. Besides, thermal stability of the plastic studied using Kissinger’s and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa’s approaches shows that PVC blended with high molecular weight oil-modified polyester is more thermally stable, evidenced by the increase in the activation energy of decomposition, E_d. Toxicity test using brine shrimp egg shows encouraging results, where the oil-based plasticizer is considerably less toxic compared to some of the commercial plasticizers.     

Effects of Modified Starch and Different Molecular Weight Polyvinyl Alcohols on Biodegradable Characteristics of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Starch Blends

The common biodegradable properties of polymer make them an excellent pair for blending, and the water solubility of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) makes it easy to mix evenly with the starch. In this study, PVAs with different molecular weights were blended with various compositions of cross-linked starch (CLS) to explore the effects of molecular weight of PVA on the biodegradable characteristics of the PVA/starch blends. Comparing the biodegradability of all the various PVA/starch blends, a PVA was singled out from the PVA/starch blends of higher biodegradability. Further, the chosen PVA was then blended with the acid-modified starch (AMS) to systematically investigate the effects of the modified processing of starch on the biodegradable characteristics of the PVA/starch blends. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis of PVA and PVA/starch specimens reveal that the T_m values of PVA/starch specimens reduce gradually as their CLS or AMS contents increase. After the CLS is blended in PVAs of different molecular weights, the tensile strength (??_f) and elongation at break (??_f) values of (P₁₀₀S₀)G₂₀M₁ specimen increase and simultaneously reduce, respectively, as their molecular weights of PVA increase from about 80,000 (PVA_BF-17) to 120,000 (PVA_BF-26). The ??_f and ??_f values of the PVA/modified-starch blends decrease with an increase in the modified starch contents. The ??_f values of the PVA/AMS specimens decrease with an increase in the concentrations of hydrochloric acid. Comparing the ??_f values of the PVA/CLS specimens with those of the PVA/AMS specimens, the ??_f values of the PVA/CLS specimens are better than those of the PVA/AMS specimens. On the contrary, the ??_f values of the PVA/AMS specimens are better than those of the PVA/CLS specimens. According to the biodegradability of all the PVA/starch blends, PVA with higher molecular weights displays higher biodegradability. The biodegradability of the PVA/modified-starch blends increase as the modified starch contents of the PVA/modified-starch blends increase. As evidenced by the results of the biodegradability test, the biodegradability of the PVA/modified-starch blends, therein PVA is blended with 1N AMS, shows better biodegradability. The result of bio-reaction kinetics experiment can evaluate the decomposition tendency of the PVA/starch blends up to any biodegradable rate under ambient environment. Using the kinetic model of the first order reaction, it is estimated that 16.20?years and 12.47?years will be needed for the PVA_BF-17/starch blends, containing 20 and 40% of CLS respectively, to be degraded up to 70% under ambient environment. In addition, it is 1.68?years for the PVA_BF-26 blends with the 40% 2N AMS under decomposition environment while it is 1.94?years for the 40% 1N AMS. Overall, the decomposition potential of PVA/AMS specimens is better than PVA/CLS specimens. Furthermore, the 1N(26P₆₀AS₄₀)₁₀₀G₂₀M₁ specimen is coincidence the biodegradable material criteria of Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) of Taiwan.     

Properties of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)/Chitosan Nanocomposite Films Reinforced with Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Amorphous Lignocellulose Nanofibers

The objective of this study was to investigate the properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan nanocomposite films reinforced with different concentration of amorphous LCNFs. The properties analyzed were morphological, physical, chemical, thermal, biological, and mechanical characteristics. Oil palm empty fruit bunch LCNFs obtained from multi-mechanical stages were more dominated by amorphous region than crystalline part. Varied film thickness, swelling degree, and transparency of PVA/chitosan nanocomposite films reinforced with amorphous part were produced. Aggregated LCNFs, which reinforced PVA/chitosan polymer blends, resulted in irregular, rough, and uneven external surfaces as well as protrusions. Based on XRD analysis, there were two or three imperative peaks that indicated the presence of crystalline states. The increase in LCNFs concentration above 0.5% to PVA/chitosan polymer blends led to the decrease in crystallinity index of the films. A noticeable alteration of FTIR spectra, which included wavenumber and intensity, was obviously observed along with the inclusion of amorphous LCNFs. That indicated that a good miscibility between amorphous LCNFs and PVA/chitosan polymer blend generated chemical interaction of those polymers during physical blending. Reinforcement of PVA/chitosan polymer blends with amorphous LCNFs influenced the changes of T_g (glass transition temperature), T_m (melting point temperature), and T_max (maximum degradation temperature). Three thermal phases of PVA/chitosan/LCNFs nanocomposite films were also observed, including absorbed moisture evaporation, PVA and chitosan polymer backbone structural degradation and LCNFs pyrolysis, and by-products degradation of these polymers. The addition of LCNFs 0.5% had the highest tensile strength and the addition of LCNFs above 0.5% decreased the strength. The incorporation of OPEFB LCNFs did not show anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties of the films. The addition of amorphous LCNFs 0.5% into PVA/chitosan polymer blends resulted in regular and smooth external surfaces, enhanced tensile strength, increased crystallinity index, and enhanced thermal stability of the films.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Lactic Acid Oligomers: Evaluation of Performance as Poly(Lactic Acid) Plasticizers

The use of fully bio-based and biodegradable materials for massive applications, such as food packaging, is an emerging tendency in polymer research. But the formulations proposed in this way should preserve or even increase the functional properties of conventional polymers, such as transparency, homogeneity, mechanical properties and low migration of their components to foodstuff. This is not always trivial, in particular when brittle biopolymers, such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), are considered. In this work the formulation of innovative materials based on PLA modified with highly compatible plasticizers, i.e. oligomers of lactic acid (OLAs) is proposed. Three different synthesis conditions for OLAs were tested and the resulting additives were further blended with commercial PLA obtaining transparent and ductile materials, able for films manufacturing. These materials were tested in their structural, thermal and tensile properties and the best formulation among the three materials was selected. OLA with molar mass (M_n) around 1,000 Da is proposed as an innovative and fully compatible and biodegradable plasticizer for PLA, able to replace conventional plasticizers (phthalates, adipates or citrates) currently used for films manufacturing in food packaging applications.     

Biodegradable Films Based on Blends of Gelatin and Poly (Vinyl Alcohol): Effect of PVA Type or Concentration on Some Physical Properties of Films

The aim of this work was to develop biodegradable films based on blends of gelatin and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), without a plasticizer. Firstly, the effect of five types of PVA with different degree of hydrolysis (DH) on the physical properties of films elaborated with blends containing 23.1% PVA was studied. One PVA type was then chosen for the study of the effect of the PVA concentration on the mechanical properties, color, opacity, gloss, and water solubility of the films. The five types of PVA studied allowed for films with different characteristics, but with no direct relationship with the DH of the PVA. Therefore, the PVA Celvol^®418 with a DH = 91.8% was chosen for the second part, because they produced films with greater tensile strength. The PVA concentration affected all studied properties of films. These results could be explained by the results of the DSC and FTIR analyses, which showed that some interactions between the gelatin and the PVA occurred depending on the PVA concentration, affecting the crystallinity of the films.     

Analysis of the Structure-Properties Relationships of Different Multiphase Systems Based on Plasticized Poly(Lactic Acid)

Poly(lactic acid) is one of the most promising biobased and biodegradable polymers for food packaging, an application which requires good mechanical and barrier properties. In order to improve the mechanical properties, in particular the flexibility, PLA plasticization is required. However, plasticization induces generally a decrease in the barrier properties. Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) and poly(ethylene glycol) 300 (PEG), highly recommended as plasticizers for PLA, were added up to 17 wt% in P(D,L)LA. In the case of PEG, a phase separation was observed for plasticizer contents higher than 5 wt%. Contrary to PEG, the T_g decrease due to ATBC addition, modelled with Fox’s law, and the absence of phase separation, up to 17 wt% of plasticizer, confirm the miscibility of PLA and ATBC. Contents equal or higher than 13 wt% of ATBC yielded a substantial improvement of the elongation at break, becoming higher than 300%. The effect of PLA plasticization on the barrier properties was assessed by different molecules, with increasing interaction with the formulated material, such as helium, an inert gas, and oxygen and water vapour. In comparison to the neat sample, barrier properties against helium were maintained when PLA was plasticized with up to 17 wt% of ATBC. The oxygen permeability coefficient and the water vapour transmission rate doubled for mixtures with 17 wt% ATBC in PLA, but increased five-fold in the PEG plasticized samples. This result is most likely caused by increased solubility of oxygen and water in the PEG phase due to their mutual miscibility. To conclude, ATBC increases efficiently the elongation at break of PLA while maintaining the permeability coefficient of helium and keeping the barrier properties against oxygen and water vapour in the same order of magnitude.     

Comparison of the Effect of Plasticizers on PHBV—and Organoclay—Based Biodegradable Polymer Nanocomposites

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different plasticizers on the morphology, crystallization, and mechanical properties of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)/organomodified montmorillonite (OMt) nanocomposites. We investigated three different plasticizers: dioctyl phthalate (DOP), a commonly used additive in the polymer industry, and two natural and biodegradable plasticizers: epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and triethyl citrate (TEC). The nanocomposites with 3 wt% OMt were obtained by melt processing in an internal mixer. The plasticizers were used alone or in combination with clay in a concentration of 10 wt%. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy results revealed a partially intercalated structure. The degree of crystallinity was higher for all of the samples compared to neat PHBV, although the melting temperature decreased with the use of plasticizers combined with OMt. The impact strength results were dependent on the interaction between the components of the system. Triethyl citrate was the most effective plasticizer due to its more pronounced interaction with the PHBV matrix, which yielded improvements in processing conditions and PHBV’s flexibility and impact properties.     

Blending of Epoxidised Palm Oil with Epoxy Resin: The Effect on Morphology, Thermal and Mechanical Properties

Epoxy resin prepared by the reaction of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and m-xylylenediamine (m-XDA) was modified with 10% wt of epoxidized palm oil (EPO). The EPO was first pre-polymerized with m-XDA at various temperatures and reaction times. The resulting product was then mixed with the epoxy resin at 40?°C and allowed to react at 120?°C for another 3?h. The fully reacted DGEBA/m-XDA/EPO blend was characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis, tensile test, hardness indentation and dynamic mechanical analysis. The SEM study shows that different types of morphology, ranging from phase separated to miscible blends were obtained. A miscible blend was obtained when the m-XDA and EPO were reacted for more than 2?h. The results from DSC analysis show that the incorporation of EPO at 10% wt in the epoxy blend reduced the glass transition temperature (T _g). The lowered T _g and mechanical properties of the modified epoxy resins are caused by a reduction in crosslinking density and plasticizer effect.     

Effect of Nucleating Agents on Physical Properties of Poly(lactic acid) and Its Blend with Natural Rubber

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) presents high strength and modulus, but very low toughness as well as slow crystallization. Natural rubber (NR) was blended to enhance the toughness and nucleating agent was added to improve the crystallization. Cyclodextrin (CD), considered as a green compound, as well as calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and talc were used as nucleating agents. Effects of these nucleating agents on crystallization, mechanical properties and morphology of neat PLA and PLA/NR blend were investigated. It was found that the addition of talc and CD decreased cold crystallization temperature (T_cc) of the PLA. Same result was obtained in PLA/NR blend containing talc. All nucleating agents increased the degree of crystallinity (Χ_C) of PLA, whereas only talc and CaCO₃ increased Χ_C of PLA in PLA/NR blends. The enhanced toughness of PLA by the addition of nucleating agent was attributed to its increased crystallinity, as well as decreased spherulite size. For PLA/NR blends, the increase in toughness was mainly contributed by the presence of the rubber.     

Toughening of Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel Through Co-Crosslinking and its Wastewater Treatment Performance by Immobilizing with Microorganism

In order to improve the hydraulic impact resistance of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel as microorganism immobilization carrier and meet the requirements of long-time aeration of sewage treatment, the toughening PVA hydrogel beads were prepared by co-crosslinking with polyoxypropylene triol (PPG) through the boric acid (H₃BO₃)-chemical crosslinking method. It was found that PPG could increase the consumption of H₃BO₃, participated and accelerated the crosslinking reaction of PVA, and the pore size of the surface layer and core layer of the hydrogel beads can be controlled. With increasing PPG content, the shear storage modulus (G’) and the effective network density (ν_e) increased first, reached maximum in presence of 2 wt% PPG, and decreased afterwards. A relatively low content of PPG could promote the formation of relatively uniform and dense network structure in PVA hydrogel, resulting in an improvement of the mechanical property and long-term hydraulic stability of the gel beads. By addition of PPG, the capillary water absorption capacity of PVA hydrogel can be enhanced and the high permeability can be kept well. When applying in waste water treatment, the value of the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and COD removal rate of the PVA hydrogel immobilized with activated sludge had no obvious difference with addition of PPG, and a high microbial activity can be maintained.     

New Non-food-Based Composites of Acorn Nutlet and Polycaprolactone: Preparation and Characterization Evaluation

Two dissimilar renewable resource-based thermoplastic acorn nutlet (TPAN) materials were prepared via twin-screw extrusion with the aid of glycerol or monoethanolamine as plasticizers, and then two TPAN/polycaprolactone (PCL) composites with different plasticized systems were prepared. Mechanical test showed that glycerol-based composites had excellent tensile properties, and at a PCL content of 50 wt%, their tensile strength and elongation at break reached 14.4 MPa and 1,361 %, respectively. The micro-morphologic investigation of liquid-nitrogen brittle fracture surface indicated certain interface adhesion between glycerol-based thermoplastic acorn nutlet (GTPAN) and PCL. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis , differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the weight ratios of TPAN in composites significantly affected the crystallinity, glass transition temperature (T_g), melting temperature (T_m) and thermal stability of composites. Soil burial degradation analysis displayed that all composites had excellent biodegradability. These results demonstrated that GTPAN/PCL composites had superior mechanical and biodegradable properties, enough to partially replace the conventional thermoplastic plastics.     

Photocatalytic Degradation of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) on Pt/TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> with Fenton Reagent

In this research Fenton reagent (Fe²⁺/H₂O₂) was investigated as oxidants to degrade poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The role of nano-TiO₂ photocatalyst was discussed as an additive in Fenton reagent (Fe²⁺/H₂O₂). Pt/TiO₂ composites were also synthesized by photo-reaction to be used as additive in Fenton reagent. The rapid degradation of PVA was obtained when Pt/TiO₂ composites served as photocatalyst. The different photocatalytic efficiency of Pt/TiO₂- Fenton reagent (Fe²⁺/H₂O₂) was studied compared with TiO₂- Fenton reagent (Fe²⁺/H₂O₂) during the degradation of PVA.     

Environmentally-Friendly Synthesis of Ag Nanoparticles by Fusarium sporotrichioides for the Production of PVA/Bentonite/Ag Composite Nanofibers

Membranes and filters made of nanofibers can have many medicines and water treatment applications. The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with antibacterial activity in these structures improve their efficiency. However, due to the toxicity of the compounds used in the chemical synthesis of AgNPs, in this study, AgNPs were obtained through a biological process using Fusarium sporotrichioides. AgNPs preparation conditions were optimized, including F. sporotrichioides medium and AgNO₃ concentration. Next, a PVA nanofiber membrane with bentonite and AgNPs (Bio-AgNPs or Chem-AgNPs) was prepared using electrospinning. The optimal conditions for the production of Bio-AgNPs were the culture of F. sporotrichioides in the MGYP culture medium and 12 M of AgNO₃. The Bio-AgNPs particle size and zeta potential were 58 nm and ??16.8 mV, respectively, with antibacterial activity. The PVA/NB/AgNPs nanofibers operation conditions included 7.5% w/w PVA, 3% w/w bentonite, and AgNPs 5% w/w at a voltage of 11 kV, feed rate of 0.5 mL/h, and 15 cm distance between the needle and the collector. The average diameter of the PVA/NB/Bio-AgNPs nanofibers was 230 nm. Also, the presence of silver in the nanofibers was confirmed through EDX and XRD methods. The antibacterial assay of the nanofibers showed that the inhibition zone of PVA/NB/Bio-AgNPs against E. coli and S. aureus was 0.62 and 0.36 mm, which is better than PVA/NB/Chem-AgNPs and comparable with chloramphenicol. The produced membrane is suitable for water treatment, food packaging, and wound dressing because of its good thermal, mechanical, and antibacterial properties.

     

Properties and biodegradability of chain-extended copoly(succinic anhydride/ethylene oxide)

Chain-extension reactions were carried out using titanium-iso-propoxide (TIP) as a catalyst for a series of polyesters or copolyesterethers with low molecular weights (M _n =1500–10,000) synthesized by the ring-opening copolymerization of succinic anhydride (SA) with ethylene oxide (EO). The copolymers having aM _n from 25,000 to 50,000 of different properties were obtained. Both the melting point (T _m ) and the fusion heat (H), which indicate the crystallinity of the copolymers, rose with an increase in SA content in the copolymers. Semitransparent films were prepared by compression molding of the copolymers. The biodegradation of the copolymer films was evaluated by enzymatic hydrolysis by lipases and by an aerobic gas evolution test in standard activated sludge. The hydrolyzability of these copolymers by three kinds of lipases was affected by their copolymer composition SA/EO, form, andM _n . The copolyesterether (SA/EO=43/57,M _n =48,900) was more easily biodegraded by standard activated sludge compared to the polyester (SA/EO=47/53,M _n =36,300).Presented at the Pacifichem-95, December 17–22, 1995, Honolulu, Hawaii.     

Investigation of Thermoplasticity of Zein and Kafirin Proteins: Mixing Process and Mechanical Properties

Conventional direct melt mixing technology was investigated on zein and kafirin, two vegetable proteins extracted, respectively, from maize and sorghum. A lab scale internal mixer has been used to thoroughly study the thermo-plasticization process of the proteins with several plasticizers. Different compositions were investigated under different processing conditions. In particular, the lengthy procedures of forming the protein/solvent/plasticizer solution followed by drying or the protein/plasticizer emulsion followed by the precipitation of the extrudable resin, reported in the literature for these systems, were avoided and the protein and plasticizer were directly fed into the mixer to obtain a plastic-like material. The effect of plasticizer type and content and mixing process variables on the mechanical properties was analyzed. Compression molded slabs were transparent, strong and flexible, with properties similar to the cast films reported in the literature, prepared with the same type of plasticizers. However, lower plasticizer content was sufficient to produce equally flexible films, proving an enhanced plasticization efficiency of the mixing process, as compared to casting.     

Biodegradability of Chemically Modified Starch (RS4)/PVA Blend Films: Part 2

Biodegradable films were successfully prepared by using cornstarch (CS), chemically modified starch (RS4), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), glycerol (GL), and citric acid (CA). The physical properties and biodegradability of the films using CS, RS4, and additives were investigated. The results of the investigation revealed that the RS4-added film was better than the CS-added film in tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (%E), swelling behavior (SB) and solubility (S). Especially, the RS4/PVA blend film with CA as an additive showed physical properties superior to other films. Furthermore, when the film was dried at low temperature, the properties of the films clearly improved because the hydrogen bonding was activated at low temperature. The biodegradation of films was carried out using the enzymatic, microbiological and soil burial test. The enzyme used in this study was amyloglucosidase (AMG), α-amylase (α-AM) and β-amylase (β-AM). At the enzymatic degradation test, the GL-added films had an approximately 60% degradation, while the CA-added films were degraded about 25%. The low degradation value on CA-added film is attributed to low pH of film added CA that deactivated the enzymatic reaction. The microbiological degradation teat was performed by using Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus niger.     

A Synthetic Filter Material Containing Nutrients for Biofilter

In this study, a synthetic filter material with nutrients (PVA/peat/KNO₃ composite bead) was developed for biofilteration. The optimal preparing condition was each of the peat and PVA aqueous solutions mixed with 6.4 g KNO_3, and the minimum nitrogen content in the boric and phosphate aqueous solutions was 3.94 and 1.52 g-N/l, respectively. The equilibrium amount of inorganic nitrogen extracted by leaching from the prepared composite bead was between 7.95 and 8.21 mg N/g dry solid. The path of inorganic nitrogen extracted by leaching was the inorganic nitrogen dispersed in the peat phase firstly diffused into the outer PVA phase and then it diffused out of the bead surface for the A-type bead; and that was the inorganic nitrogen dispersed in both the peat and PVA phases simultaneously diffuses into the outer PVA phase and out of the bead surface, respectively, for the H-type bead. The microbial growth rate k _g of the H-type composite bead was higher than that of the A-type composite bead about 1.09–1.58 times, and the maximum value of k _g was at the H-type composite bead immersed in 0.384 M KNO₃ aqueous solution. The percentage of removed VOCs retained at more than 98% during the biofilter operating 230 days as the composite bead immersed in KNO₃ aqueous solution before packing. This composite bead bed was without the further addition of nutrients during the operating period.     

Bioremediation potential of Brevibacillus parabrevis AMB-CD-2 in spinach under lead toxicity

The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of lead toxicity on the growth parameters of spinach and the performance of lead-resistant bacterial isolates under lead stress conditions. Out of four bacterial isolates selected for this study, only two isolates AMB-CD-2 and AMB-CD-4 were selected based on their lead tolerance ability. A polybag experiment was conducted with six treatments and four replications in spinach. The treatments included T₁ (RDF + control), T₂ (lead acetate), T₃ (AMB-CD-2 + lead), T₄ (AMB-CD-4 + lead), T₅ (AMB-CD-2), and T₆ (AMB-CD-4). Results showed that lead contamination significantly decreased plant growth parameters, particularly in the treatment T₂ (lead acetate) when compared with other treatments. Similarly, reduced uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) was recorded in T₂. Inoculation with lead-resistant bacteria, AMB-CD-2, significantly improved plant growth parameters (plant height, root fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, and root length). The uptake of NPK was higher in T₅ (AMB-CD-2) in the absence of lead by approximately 0.81%, 0.37%, and 0.42% than in the control, respectively. Through atomic absorption spectrophotometer analysis, the lead concentration in treatment T₂ (control) was about 3.20 mg/g while in treatment T₃ (AMB-CD-2 + lead) it was about 1.32 ppm. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that AMB-CD-2 resembles Brevibacillus parabrevis. The results demonstrate that the lead-resistant bacteria B. parabrevis AMB-CD-2 showed a significant lead reduction of approximately 58.75% compared to the control.     

Green Synthesis of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>/Cellulose/Polyvinyl Alcohol Hybride Aerogel and Its Application for Dye Removal

A novel Fe₃O₄/cellulose–polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) aerogel was successfully synthesized by an eco-friendly and facile method in this work. Cellulose/PVA matrix was prepared through an environmental friendly physical cross-linking process and further in-situ decorated with Fe₃O₄. Series of Fe₃O₄ decorated aerogels were prepared and the effects of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) on the aerogels were systematic investigated. As-prepared aerogels exhibited desirable properties including nanostructure, relatively high porosity, improved mechanical and superparamagnetism. The TEM results showed that Fe₃O₄ NPs were integrated in the three-dimensional matrix of cellulose/PVA with a diameter of 9–12 nm. Furthermore, the mechanical strength of the aerogels was significantly enhanced after the introduction of Fe₃O₄ NPs. Meanwhile, the obtained Fe₃O₄/cellulose/PVA aerogel exhibited excellent adsorption performance toward methyl blue dye, and can be reused through fenton-like catalysts oxidative degradation of organic dye in H₂O₂ solution. Therefore, they will have a great potential application as eco-friendly and economical adsorbents.     

Utilization of blended fluidized bed combustion (FBC) ash and pulverized coal combustion (PCC) fly ash in geopolymer

In this paper, synthesis of geopolymer from fluidized bed combustion (FBC) ash and pulverized coal combustion (PCC) fly ash was studied in order to effectively utilize both ashes. FBC-fly ash and bottom ash were inter-ground to three different finenesses. The ashes were mixed with as-received PCC-fly ash in various proportions and used as source material for synthesis of geopolymer. Sodium silicate (Na₂SiO₃) and 10 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions at mass ratio of Na₂SiO₃/NaOH of 1.5 and curing temperature of 65 °C for 48 h were used for making geopolymer. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), degree of reaction, and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed on the geopolymer pastes. Compressive strength was also tested on geopolymer mortars. The results show that high strength geopolymer mortars of 35.0–44.0 MPa can be produced using mixture of ground FBC ash and as-received PCC-fly ash. Fine FBC ash is more reactive and results in higher degree of reaction and higher strength geopolymer as compared to the use of coarser FBC ash. Grinding increases reactivity of ash by means of increasing surface area and the amount of reactive phase of the ash. In addition, the packing effect due to fine particles also contributed to increase in strength of geopolymers.