Renewable Resources and Enzymatic Processes to Create Functional Polymers: Adapting Materials and Reactions from Food Processing

We are exploiting materials and concepts from food science to create functionalized, environmentally friendly derivatives of the biopolymer chitosan, a byproduct of seafood processing. Functional groups are grafted onto chitosan using tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for food browning. The functionalizing groups studied include low-molecular-weight phenols derived from natural sources and high-molecular-weight proteins. The approach of using low-molecular-weight phenols to functionalize chitosan is illustrated with arbutin, a natural phenol found in pears. Results demonstrate that tyrosinase initiates reactions that lead to the conversion of arbutin–chitosan solutions into gels. These gels can be rapidly broken by treatment with the chitosan-hydrolyzing enzyme chitosanase, demonstrating that the chitosan derivatives remain biodegradable. We briefly review other studies in which low-molecular-weight natural phenols are enzymatically grafted onto chitosan to confer functional properties. The creation of co-polymers is illustrated by results in which tyrosinase is used to couple gelatin onto chitosan. Gelatin is a proteinaceous byproduct of meat production. The tyrosinase-generated gelatin–chitosan conjugates have been observed to offer interesting rheological and thermal properties. These results demonstrate the potential for using renewable resources and enzymatic processing to create environmentally friendly polymers with useful functional properties.     

Effects of Starch Moisture on Properties of Wheat Starch/Poly(Lactic Acid) Blend Containing Methylenediphenyl Diisocyanate

Methylenediphenyl diisocyanate was found to improve the interfacial interaction between poly(lactic acid)(PLA) and granular starch. The objective of this research was to study the effect of starch moisture content on the interfacial interaction of an equal-weight blend of wheat starch and PLA containing 0.5% methylenediphenyl diisocyanate by weight. Starch moisture (10% to 20%) had a negative effect on the interfacial binding between starch and PLA. The tensile strength and elongation of the blend both decreased as starch moisture content increased. At 20% moisture level, the starch granules embedded in the PLA matrix were observed to be swollen, resulting in poor strength properties and high water absorption by the blend.     

Isolation and Identification of Microorganisms Able to Grow on the Polyester Amide BAK 1095

The polyester amide BAK 1095 is fully degraded by microorganisms. Bacteria that can grow on this polymer were isolated from various environments, such as freshwater, saltwater, arable land, woodland and compost. The mechanism of polymer degradation was examined using selected isolates. It was discovered that the bacteria selectively cleave the polymer at its ester bonds, releasing low-molecular water-soluble oligoamides. These can then be metabolised by other microorganisms [1, 2, 3]. The isolates were also tested for their ability to break down other ester-containing polymers such as Degranil W 50, a linear polyester urethane urea. Eight of the 12 strains examined were also able to break down this polymer.The isolated microorganisms predominantly belong to the genus Bacillus. Mesophilic, halophilic and thermophilic species were isolated. The studies show that polyester amide-degrading bacteria occur in numerous ecosystems and provide data on the microbial breakdown of random copolymers. Information was also obtained on the mechanism involved in the microbial breakdown of polyester amides.     

Chemical Treatments of Natural Fiber for Use in Natural Fiber-Reinforced Composites: A Review

Studies on the use of natural fibers as replacement to man-made fiber in fiber-reinforced composites have increased and opened up further industrial possibilities. Natural fibers have the advantages of low density, low cost, and biodegradability. However, the main disadvantages of natural fibers in composites are the poor compatibility between fiber and matrix and the relative high moisture sorption. Therefore, chemical treatments are considered in modifying the fiber surface properties. In this paper, the different chemical modifications on natural fibers for use in natural fiber-reinforced composites are reviewed. Chemical treatments including alkali, silane, acetylation, benzoylation, acrylation, maleated coupling agents, isocyanates, permanganate and others are discussed. The chemical treatment of fiber aimed at improving the adhesion between the fiber surface and the polymer matrix may not only modify the fiber surface but also increase fiber strength. Water absorption of composites is reduced and their mechanical properties are improved.     

电子废弃物聚丙烯制备木塑复合材的研究

探讨了电子废弃物聚丙烯(PP)制备木塑复合材料(WPC)的可行性及其主要影响因子。研究结果表明:电子废弃物PP具备制备木塑复合材料的可行性,PP和木纤维混合比例是影响WPC性能的关键因子之一,加入适量的PPg-MAH有利于提高WPC的力学性能,并大幅度降低其吸水性,当PP与木纤维比例为60∶40,PP-g-MAH使用量为10%时,WPC可获得较好的综合性能指标。     

From waste hot-pot oil as carbon precursor to development of recyclable attapulgite/carbon composites for wastewater treatment

The utilization of waste products as valuable materials was a technical imperative for waste management. In this study, the cost-effective attapulgite/carbon(APT/C) composite was developed for wastewater treatment using waste hot-pot oil as a carbon precursor through a facile one-step calcination process. The APT/C composite prepared at 300°C exhibited the excellent adsorption capacity and rapid equilibrium rate over a broad p H range for the removal of various pollutants. More importantly, the removal ratios of the composites toward Methyl Violet and tetracycline still remained 77.6% and 60.2% of the initial adsorption capacity after ten adsorption–regeneration cycles via a facile thermal regeneration strategy, respectively.Beyond all doubt, this research provided a feasible and economical way for the sustainable utilization of waste hot-pot oil in wastewater treatment, achieving the concept of disposal waste with waste and recycling.     

炭化压力对编织C/C复合材料致密过程及结构的影响

目的研究不同炭化压力环境对C/C复合材料致密过程及结构的影响。方法通过浸渍/高压炭化工艺在不同炭化压力下制备高温煤沥青炭块及沥青基C/C复合材料,并研究不同炭化压力环境下对其密度和孔隙的影响。结果制备沥青炭的炭化压力由20 MPa增大至60 MPa时,沥青炭体积密度由1.08 g/cm~3增加至1.39g/cm~3,质量比表面积由14.74增加至16.51,开孔率由26.73减少至7.94,孔隙填充效果明显改善,浸渍-炭化的增密效率得到提升。结论在编织C/C材料的致密过程中,压力越大,其孔隙越小,分布越均匀,故产品致密效果越好。     

颗粒冲蚀对注射法制备C/C-ZrC-SiC复合材料 抗烧蚀性能的影响研究

目的采用ZrC和SiC复相陶瓷对C/C复合材料进行改性,研究改性后的复合材料受到颗粒冲蚀破坏的烧蚀行为。方法采用注射法将ZrC和SiC复相陶瓷前驱体引入到等温化学气相渗透法(ICVI)制备的低密度C/C复合材料中,再通过高温热处理、ICVI的方法制备出ZrC和SiC复相陶瓷改性的C/C(C/C-ZrC-SiC)复合材料,随后对制备的复合材料进行高速颗粒冲击实验破坏,并对破坏后的试样进行氧乙炔火焰烧蚀,研究其烧蚀行为。结果改性后的复合材料线冲蚀率和质量冲蚀率分别为253.1μm/s和79.8 mg/s,相较于同孔隙率的C/C复合材料分别降低了49.2%和61%。颗粒冲蚀破坏后C/C-ZrC-SiC复合材料的线烧蚀率和质量烧蚀率分别为4.26μm/s和1.44 mg/s,相比于同孔隙率的C/C复合材料,分别降低了37%和39%。结论由于引入的ZrC和SiC陶瓷相的硬度大于碳基体,C/C-ZrC-SiC复合材料在受到高速颗粒的冲击时,能通过硬质陶瓷相起到抗冲击作用,使得改性后的复合材料抗冲蚀性能大幅度提高。受到颗粒冲蚀破坏后的C/C-ZrC-SiC复合材料内部仍存在超高温陶瓷相,烧蚀过程中能够形成ZrO2骨架结构和SiO2球形颗粒,进而有效保护碳纤维和热解碳基体。     

Processing and Characterization of Short-Fiber Reinforced Jute/Poly Butylene Succinate Biodegradable Composites: The Effect of Weld-Line

Fabrication of complex injection molded parts often involves the use of multiple gates. In such situations, polymer melts from different gates meld to form the molded part (weld line). This paper reports on the fabrication and characterization of the mechanical and morphological properties of short fiber reinforced jute/poly butylene succinate (PBS) biodegradable composites. The effect of a dual gated mold in the fabrication of welded specimens was a key focus of the investigation. It was observed that incorporation of jute fiber (10 wt%) conferred drastic changes on the stress–strain properties of the matrix as the elongation at break (EB), dropped from 160% in the matrix to just 10% in the composite. The tensile strength of the composite was lower than that of the matrix. However, it is noteworthy that the tensile modulus of the composite increased. Bending test also revealed that both bending strength and modulus increased with the incorporation of jute. Morphological studies of the tensile fracture surface using SEM revealed two types of failure mode. Ductile failure was indicated by plastic deformation at the initiation of fracture followed by brittle failure. The good interfacial bonding indicated between jute and PBS was attributed to positive interaction between the two polar polymers. A comparison of the non-weld and weld-line samples revealed that the weld-line composites have better mechanical integrity than the corresponding polymer matrix with weld line. The results also revealed that elongation at break and toughness are most sensitive to the presence of the weld-line whereas flexural properties are least sensitive.     

Application of Cellulose Microfibrils in Polymer Nanocomposites

Cellulose microfibrils obtained by the acid hydrolysis of cellulose fibers were added at low concentrations (2–10% w/w) to polymer gels and films as reinforcing agents. Significant changes in mechanical properties, especially maximum load and tensile strength, were obtained for fibrils derived from several cellulosic sources, including cotton, softwood, and bacterial cellulose. For extruded starch plastics, the addition of cotton-derived microfibrils at 10.3% (w/w) concentration increased Young’s modulus by 5-fold relative to a control sample with no cellulose reinforcement. Preliminary data suggests that shear alignment significantly improves tensile strength. Addition of microfibrils does not always change mechanical properties in a predictable direction. Whereas tensile strength and modulus were shown to increase during addition of microfibrils to an extruded starch thermoplastic and a cast latex film, these parameters decreased when microfibrils were added to a starch–pectin blend, implying that complex interactions are involved in the application of these reinforcing agents.