Corn starch (CS) is a renewable, biodegradable polysaccharide valued for its film-forming ability, yet native CS films exhibit low mechanical strength, high water sensitivity, and limited thermal stability. This study improves CS-based films by blending with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) or glycerol (GLY) and using citric acid (CA) as a green, non-toxic cross-linker. Composite films were prepared by casting CS–PVA or CS–GLY with CA at 0%–0.20% (w/w of starch). The influence of CA on physicochemical, mechanical, optical, thermal, and water barrier properties was evaluated. CA crosslinking markedly enhanced the tensile strength, water resistance, and thermal stability of CS–PVA films while increasing transparency in CS–GLY films. At 0.20% CA, the composite achieved 34.99 MPa tensile strength, reduced water vapor permeability, and minimized water uptake. FTIR confirmed ester bond formation between CA and hydroxyl groups of CS, PVA, and GLY, whereas thermal analysis showed higher decomposition temperatures and lower weight loss in crosslinked films. Increasing CA levels also decreased opacity and improved light transmittance, indicating greater homogeneity and reduced crystallinity. This dual-polymer matrix combined with a natural crosslinking strategy provides a sustainable route to high-performance, biodegradable CS-based packaging materials.

Melt blending of biodegradable polyesters such as poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (butylene adipate co-terephthalate) (PBAT) with a compatibilizer and natural filler offers a chance to develop biodegradable biocomposites with improved performance. In this study, we examined how PLA/PBAT blends behave during ultimate biodegradation (mineralization), both with and without compatibilizer and algae as a reinforcement, under controlled composting conditions using carbon dioxide (CO2) respirometry techniques. Throughout the biodegradation process, the disintegration behaviour, thermal, chemical, and morphological properties of test samples before and after biodegradation were analyzed using FTIR, TGA, DSC, and SEM techniques. The results from CO2 biodegradation showed that PLA/PBAT blend exhibits a higher rate of biodegradation compared to neat PLA and PBAT. The addition of algae to a compatibilized PLA/PBAT blend showed an enhanced biodegradation rate due to hydrolytic cleavage and microbial assimilation. This was further supported by the disintegration test, where algae-reinforced composites showed fragmentation within 30 days. FTIR, TGA and SEM analysis revealed the structural changes that occurred during biodegradation, highlighting the role of algae in affecting the thermal stability and surface morphology. After the compost biodegradation step, eco-toxicity seed germination was conducted on the test samples. Plant seed germination test results confirmed that all test samples achieved maximum germination. This indicates there were no toxic residues, suggesting that the degraded materials are environmentally safe. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of biodegradation mechanisms and the ecological impact of bio-based polymer composites as eco-friendly materials and products.

Bionanocomposite film is produced from renewable and biodegradable natural resources. Although elephant foot yam (EFY) starch (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) is a promising polymer for bionanocomposite film, the native hydroph... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on Tech Science Press

This study presents for the first time, the characterization of the physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of Botswana sisal fibers. The aim was to evaluate the characteristics of sisal fibers from Botswana as potential reinforcement materials. The fibers were harvested from the outskirts of Selebi Phikwe, Botswana, and extracted using the scraping method without surface treatment. The analysis techniques of X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy were employed to characterize the properties of the lignocellulosic fibers. The chemical composition revealed 69.5% cellulose, 15.7% hemicellulose, 9.5% lignin, 2.07% ash, 5.73% extractives, and 8.6% moisture content. The crystallinity index was found to be 66.34%, indicating a semi-crystalline nature. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed stability up to 235°C. The tensile strength ranged between 290 and 480 MPa, with a tensile modulus of 6.5–7 GPa. The findings demonstrate that sisal fibers from Botswana exhibit remarkable tensile strength and rigidity, essential qualities for composite materials, rendering them suitable for lightweight applications in industries such as automotive and aerospace. This thorough characterization highlights the promising potential of Botswana sisal fibers as reinforcement materials for environmentally friendly polymer composites.

With the rapid development of industry, the environmental problems caused by heavy metal arsenic and antimony are becoming increasingly serious. Therefore, it is urgent to solve the problem of arsenic and antimony pollution i... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on Tech Science Press

Food packaging is becoming popular as the consumption of ready-to-eat food products rises. Easy-to-use, non-biodegradable plastic packaging is commonly used in food packaging, contributing to the deteriorating environmental situation. This issue increases the concern for the environment and encourages the usage of alternative materials. Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) are abundant and biodegradable, which makes them ideal candidates to replace plastic coatings. The ability to form H-bonds between the hydroxyl groups makes coated paper with CNF have good strength, but poor barrier properties. The barrier properties can be improved by grafting DMAEMA or HEMA onto CNF (CNF-g-PDMAEMA and CNF-g-PHEMA, respectively). Thus, the objective of this study was to modify CNF chemically to enhance the barrier properties of the food packaging paper. It was found that paper coated with CNF-g-PDMAEMA and CNF-g-PHEMA exhibited improvements in mechanical and barrier properties while maintaining the desired viscosity for the coating process. The water contact angle increased for paper coated with CNF-g-PHEMA and CNF-g-PDMAEMA, reaching a maximum of 97.51° and 92.58°, respectively with the decreasing Cobb60 values by 49% and 11%. The oil absorption was also reduced for both coated papers compared to the blank paper. Mechanical properties improved, as indicated by a 3% increase in tensile strength for paper coated with CNF-g-PHEMA and a 5% for paper coated with CNF-g-PDMAEMA. The results indicated significant potential for the application of modified CNF in coatings for food packaging paper. Noteworthy, the grafting process should be improved to enhance the mechanical and barrier properties of the coated paper.

The impregnation of nanoparticles magnetified into wood had been developed by different methods, like surface chemical coprecipitation and vacuum-pressure coprecipitation of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs). However, there is a l... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on Tech Science Press

This study investigates the development of an oil palm trunk (OPT) high-performance flame-retardant composite derived from an inexpensive and sustainable biomass source, processed using sodium chloride (NaCl) as a low-cost flame retardant, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as an adhesive, and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as an additive. The work aims to address the inherent flammability of OPT and to enhance its mechanical performance, dimensional stability, and fire resistance in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner. Results indicate that a 10% NaCl treatment optimally improves the performance of the composite, increasing bending strength (MOR) from 5.95 to 12.61 MPa and internal bonding strength (IB) from 2.05 to 4.18 MPa. Dimensional stability was significantly enhanced, thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) being reduced by 43.8% and 51.3%, respectively. Flame retardancy was significantly enhanced, achieving an Underwriters Laboratories (UL-94) V-0 rating and a limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 33.57%. Higher NaCl concentrations exceeding 10% led to reduced mechanical performance and flame retardancy, likely due to disruption of matrix-fiber interactions or the formation of voids. Compared to halogenated or phosphorus type flame retardants, the NaCl had an advantageous cost, ecology and processing ease, along with the removal of toxic emissions. Synergistic effects of NaCl, PVA, and CaCO3 contributed to reduced water absorption, enhanced dimensional stability, and improved fire resistance, making this composite a viable green product for applications where flame retardation is required. This study provides new insights into the utilization of agricultural waste products to develop eco-friendly flame-retardant composite materials, contributing to environmental sustainability and the production of fire-safe engineered wood products.

Finger-joint lumber is a sustainable building product commercialized as a structural solution for beams, pillars and other thin flat load-bearing elements. This study aims to study finger-joint lumber and its industry to promote this engineered wood product. The first research stage assessed the collection of publications on finger-joint lumber available globally, in which a structured protocol was developed to prospect studies based on two complementary methodologies: PRISMA 2020 using Scopus and Web of Science databases, and Snowball using both forward and backward models to complete with additional literature. The second research stage assessed finger-joint lumber manufacturers, in which companies were globally prospected using Google search engine and their corporate websites were profoundly analyzed using a structured script to collect information. Literary approaches have provided structural performance and bonding quality of finger-jointing. In the review, we provide a global overview and data regarding the current stage and future directions of finger-joint lumber for industrialized construction. Regarding this structural product, we review the main resources, material preparation and processing, and automated production. Mainly active in Europe and already present in 38 nations across five continents, we survey a finger-joint lumber industry comprising 186 producers controlling 214 manufacturing operations worldwide. The vast majority of this industry has exported linear engineered solutions in different dimensions, certified as to compliance with the origins of their bioresources and the European Union requirements, to markets exposed to 24 languages in order to meet commercial applications such as single-story houses, townhouses, roof structures, and hangars.

The valorization of plant biomass towards high-value chemicals is a global trend aimed at solving the problem of the huge accumulation of lignocellulosic waste. Plant polysaccharides are natural polymers that make up about 20% by weight of biomass, with a unique variety of structures and properties that depend on the type of raw materials and the method of their extraction. In this study, the effect of variability of the oxidative delignification process conditions in the «acetic acid-hydrogen peroxide-water-(NH4)6Mo7O24» on the extraction and properties of aspen (Populus tremula) wood hemicelluloses was investigated for the first time. The developed method for the extraction of hemicelluloses provided the production of water-soluble polysaccharides with a high yield (to 62.55 wt.% about total content in wood), high purity, with a branched structure and active centers on the side chains in the form of uronic acids. During the work, it was found that the obtained hemicelluloses are mainly represented by partially acetylated galactosyl and glucuronoxylan. Promising results of biological studies of the antioxidant and flocculation activity of xylans are promising for using plant polysaccharides in the health care and food industry.