Biodegradation behaviors of cellulose nanocrystals -PVA nanocomposites

In this research, biodegradation behaviors of cellulose nanocrystals-poly vinyl alcohol nanocomposites were investigated. Nanocomposite films with different filler loading levels (3, 6, 9 and 12% by wt) were developed by solvent casting method. The effect of cellulose nanocrystals on the biodegradation behaviors of nanocomposite films was studied. Water absorption and water solubility tests were performed by immersing specimens into distilled water. The characteristic parameter of diffusion coefficient and maximum moisture content were determined from the obtained water absorption curves. The water absorption behavior of the nanocomposites was found to follow a Fickian behavior. The maximum water absorption and diffusion coefficients were decreased by increasing the cellulose nanocrystals contents, however the water solubility decrease. The biodegradability of the films was investigated by immersing specimens into cellulase enzymatic solution as well as by burial in soil. The results showed that adding cellulose nanocrystals increase the weight loss of specimens in enzymatic solution but decrease it in soil media. The limited biodegradability of specimens in soil media attributed to development of strong interactions with solid substrates that inhibit the accessibility of functional groups. Specimens with the low degree of hydrolysis underwent extensive biodegradation in both enzymatic and soil media, whilst specimens with the high degree of hydrolysis showed recalcitrance to biodegradation under those conditions

Minimizing hot-press time in the manufacturing process of wood plastic composites

In this study, the reduction in the hot press time using high thermally conductive fillers and the influenceof these fillers on physical and mechanical properties of end products was investigated. Variable factors in these treatments were type and content of fillers. Press time and other factors such as the amount of wood flour, board density, and other conditions of press were fixed. Composites were prepared from Beech (Fagus orientalis) flour, Polypropylene, MAPP, and conductive fillers such as flake and powder graphite (carbonic fillers), and Alumina (ceramic filler). Fillers with contents of 5 and 10% in 15 and 20 minutes for press time were utilized. A thermocouple was utilized to measure the temperature in the core of composite and to determine the time being panel core as the same temperature as the hot press surface. It showed that fillers reduce press time as 2-4 minutes. Mechanical tests including tension, bending, impact and hardness were performed. Fillers except of flake graphite had no restriction in mechanical properties. Water uptake and swelling as physical properties were also measured and fillers didn’t have a significant effect on these tests. To validate the experimental results, thermal conductivity of composites was determined and the increase in this property was evaluated. The increase in samples contain flake and powder graphite was more remarkable than those contain Alumina

Investigating the effect of butanediol diglycidyl ether on the crosslinking of nanocellulose

This study was focused on the preparation of an environmentally friendly nanocellulose based hydrogel in the form of pads. Hydrogels are hydrophilic three dimensional network with crosslinks, swells in water but don’t dissolve. In this research nanofibrillated cellulose and Hydroxyethyl cellulose with different ratio (1:1, 2:1, 3:1) were used to make hydrogel. Also, citric acid which has a significant advantage over other crosslinking agents in terms of toxicity and price, has been used in different amounts of 10% and 20% by weight to crosslink. In order to find optimal hydrogel preparation conditions, FTIR analysis, FESEM, time dependent swelling measurement and evaluating the thermal and rheological properties were performed. Samples with a lower ratio of nanocellulose to hydroxyethyl cellulose were found to be inappropriate due to the loss of their apparent integrity in the swelling measurement. According to FTIR results, cross-linking were performed only in samples with the highest ratio of nanocellulose to hydroxyethyl cellulose in different amounts of citric acid. Therefore, the hydrogels' characteristics were mainly influenced by the ratio of nanocellulose to hydroxyethyl cellulose and the amount of citric acid had less effect on these properties. These two successful final samples showed acceptable properties in other evaluated properties and led to the selection of optimal reactive ratios for the preparation of hydrogels for use in various industries, including the pharmaceutical industry