Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jianhang Feng, Shunzhi Qian
Summary: A new strategy of fiber modification for enhancing self-healing of concrete is proposed in this study, which involves coating polypropylene fibers with nano calcium carbonate and ethyl cellulose film. The modified fibers accelerate healing product generations by promoting hydration and calcium carbonate precipitation. The closure of 300-500 µm wide cracks is enhanced, leading to 100% recovery of water tightness.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Junlong Yao, Hanchao Hu, Zhengguang Sun, Yucong Wang, Huabo Huang, Lin Gao, Xueliang Jiang, Xinrui Wang, Chuanxi Xiong
Summary: The study utilized a food-grade complexing agent to modify CaCO3 nanoparticles, achieving enhanced impact toughness and tensile strength of PP. By improving the dispersion and fluidity of TAMCC in the PP matrix, the study demonstrated the strengthening and toughening of the PP nanocomposite. The research highlighted the potential of developing high-performance, economical, and eco-friendly polymer-inorganic nanocomposites.
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Laongdaw Techawinyutham, Naruemon Sumrith, Rapeeporn Srisuk, Wiroj Techawinyutham, Suchart Siengchin, Sanjay Mavinkere Rangappa
Summary: The research explored the possibility of using residual calcium carbonate from the cane sugar production process to replace commercial calcium carbonate in plastic, adding value to the residual calcium carbonate. The residual CaCO3/PP composites showed better mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties compared to commercial CaCO3/PP composites. Tensile modulus, flexural modulus, hardness, thermal stability, and rheological properties of the composites improved with increasing CaCO3 loading.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Siyu Hao, Dong Feng, Feng Wu, Yuhui Xie, Zhiyong Xu, Wenbo Zhao, Delong Xie
Summary: Preparation of transparent flame retardant polymer composites is always a challenging task. In this study, a biodegradable carbon dioxide derived copolymer, polypropylene carbonate (PPC), was chosen for its importance in human environmental protection. By utilizing intermolecular hydrogen bonds, PPC composites were obtained by incorporating polylactic acid (PLA) and flame retardant guanidine phosphate (GP). The results showed that GP contributed to the composites with enhanced glass transition temperature (Tg) and flame-retardant properties, without sacrificing the intrinsic transparency of PPC. This study provides a facile approach to overcome the limitations of PPC for advanced applications.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karol Leluk, Stanislaw Frackowiak, Joanna Ludwiczak, Tomasz Rydzkowski, Vijay Kumar Thakur
Summary: Biocomposites, with a focus on the use of polylactic acid (PLA) as the matrix material and cellulose fibers as the filler, have gained significant interest in recent years. The challenges posed by the hydrophilic nature of cellulose fibers in blending with hydrophobic polymers have been addressed in this study, along with the analysis of various shapes and forms of cellulose and mineral nanocomponents. The thermomechanical and physico-chemical properties of the resulting composites were examined, providing insights into the effects of shape and filling degree.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mengying Zhang, Hang Li, Chi Wang, Zhaohui Wang, Da Liu, Tao Yang, Zebin Deng, Guangming Yuan
Summary: Inspired by natural biomineralization, wood composites were treated with sodium alginate and calcium ions to significantly enhance their mechanical properties, flame retardancy, and smoke suppression abilities. The induction of orderly deposition and directional crystallization by sodium alginate promoted effective adhesion of CaCO3 within the wood, leading to improved performance in various aspects.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhaowei Ou, Baokun Liang, Zihao Liang, Fanglin Tan, Xin Dong, Li Gong, Pei Zhao, Honglei Wang, Yuhai Zou, Yuanjun Xia, Xudong Chen, Wei Liu, Haoyuan Qi, Ute Kaiser, Zhikun Zheng
Summary: This study presents a general strategy for the creation of 2D crystals of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) on the water surface, assisted by a charged polymer. Thin films of 2D COFs with large single-crystalline domains have been achieved, and key factors in the formation of larger single-crystalline domains are revealed. The synthesis method shows a high level of generality and has potential for further investigation and applications in electronics.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ru-Jie Shi, Jia-Qi Lang, Tian Wang, Nong Zhou, Ming-Guo Ma
Summary: Calcium-containing cellulose-based composites are highly promising in the biomedical field due to their high mechanical strength, excellent osteoconductivity, biocompatibility, biodegradation, and bioactivity. This mini-review article summarizes the synthesis of calcium-containing cellulose-based composites using various methods and highlights the development on their fabrication, properties, and applications. The existing problems and future developments of cellulose-based composites are also discussed.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Jianhang Feng, Fan Yang, Shunzhi Qian
Summary: Surface modification of polypropylene fibers using nano calcium carbonate can enhance their bond performance with cement matrix, improving the chemical bonding and bond strength of fiber/cement matrix interface.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Wojciech Hubert Bednarek, Adam Marek, Beata Strzemiecka, Joanna Szymanska, Dominik Paukszta
Summary: This research focuses on the crystallization and supermolecular structure of polypropylene waxes, commonly used in composites technology. Using various analytical techniques, the study describes and analyzes the morphology and crystallinity of these waxes, highlighting the impact of degradation and oxidation treatments on their structure. The results provide important insights into the supermolecular structure of polypropylene waxes.
POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Amina Benarab, Enrique Blazquez-Blazquez, Rachida Krache, Rosario Benavente, Maria L. Cerrada, Ernesto Perez
Summary: The composites prepared with silanized DSF demonstrated excellent performance, including enhanced PPR crystallization, reduced hydrophilicity of the date stone flour, improved interfacial adhesion with the polymer, and enhanced mechanical properties.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hans-Juergen Ensikat, Maximilian Weigend
Summary: This article extends previous studies on the distribution and composition of biominerals in Loasaceae plant trichomes, focusing on their spatial diversity and interactions with organic substances. The research found that up to three different biominerals may be present in plant trichomes, either in pure form or in combination with organic compounds, forming composite materials.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pratchayaporn Yukhajon, Titikan Somboon, Sira Sansuk
Summary: A simple method of preparing porous sponge-like phosphate fertilizers with two-stage phosphate release capability was presented. The fertilizers showed effects on plant growth similar to commercial fertilizers and could remove excess glyphosate from the environment.
Editorial Material
Thermodynamics
Juergen E. K. Schawe
Summary: A robust procedure for isothermal kinetic evaluation of DSC measurements of polymers is proposed, considering experimental uncertainties. The procedure is applied to the crystallization of different polypropylenes and reveals the presence of homogeneous nucleation at lower temperatures, with diffusion control becoming more prominent at lower temperatures.
THERMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
S. A. Lee, H. H. Stein
Summary: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary calcium concentration on the apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids in pigs, and to explore the interactions between calcium, phosphorus, and amino acids. The results showed that the digestibility of amino acids was affected by the dietary calcium concentration, with a linear increase in calcium digestibility and a quadratic decrease in phosphorus digestibility within a certain range of calcium levels.
ANIMAL FEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
