Research Articles
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- Researchpp 2337-2350Hietanen, T. M., Österberg, M., and Backfolk, K. A. (2013). "Effects on pulp properties of magnesium hydroxide in peroxide bleaching," BioRes. 8(2), 2337-2350.AbstractArticlePDF
High alkalinity in peroxide bleaching has traditionally been achieved using sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate. In the present work, partial and total substitution of traditional sodium-based peroxide bleaching auxiliary chemicals with a highly pure magnesium hydroxide-based bleaching additive was studied on two high-brightness mechanical pulp types from Norwegian spruce (Picea abies): pressure groundwood and thermomechanical pulp. Peroxide bleaching with 3.0% charge was carried out on both pulps to a given brightness level. The bleached pulp was studied with respect to electrical conductivity, zeta potential, and water retention value. The bleaching filtrate was measured for total organic carbon content, biological and chemical oxygen demand, cationic demand, extractives content, and turbidity. The main results from this study were that the cationic demand and electrical conductivity of the bleaching filtrate were significantly lowered for both pulps when a magnesium-based bleaching process was used. At the same time, the zeta potential of the dilute pulp suspension was only slightly affected. Magnesium hydroxide-based peroxide bleaching seems to increase the water retention value of the pulp, especially on fines-rich pressure groundwood, predicting a good strength potential of the pulp. The bleaching filtrate from the magnesium hydroxide-based process was significantly cleaner in all categories measured, which indicates that this is an environmentally sound concept.
- Researchpp 2351-2365Pereira, P. H. F., Benini, K. C. C. C., Watashi, C. Y., Voorwald, H. J. C., and Cioffi, M. O. H. (2013). "Characterization of high density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with banana peel fibers," BioRes. 8(2), 2351-2365.AbstractArticlePDF
Lignocellulosic fibers from banana peels were washed with water in order to increase their compatibility with a polymeric matrix, and their properties were compared with unwashed fibers. Washed banana fibers were mixed with high density polyethylene (HDPE) and placed in an injector chamber to produce specimens for tensile tests. Samples of washed banana fibers/HDPE composites were characterized by tensile tests and thermal analysis. The chemical composition of unwashed and washed banana fibers was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The treatment with water was effective at removing extractives and increasing the surface roughness, thereby increasing the thermal stability of the fibers. However, results showed that the addition of washed banana fibers decreased the thermal stability of composites, while increasing the melting and crystallization temperatures of composites. The addition of 5 wt% fibers also provided an improvement in mechanical properties of composites in comparison with pure HDPE.
- Researchpp 2366-2375Ma, X., Jiang, M., Wu, Y., and Wang, P. (2013). "Effect of wood surface treatment on fungal decay and termite resistance," BioRes. 8(2), 2366-2375.AbstractArticlePDF
Surface treatments, such as immersion, brushing, spraying, dipping, and steeping have been extensively used to treat wood for use in low hazard class areas or as an on-site remedial/supplemental treatment of in-service wooden structures to extend their service life. In the present study the wood was subjected to steeping with three preservative formulations, i.e., copper azole type C (CA-C), alkaline copper quat type C (ACQ-C), and tebuconazole-propiconazole combo (TP), and the effect of surface treatment on fungal decay and termite resistance was evaluated. The results showed that the depth of chemical penetration into the wood and the surface absorption primarily depends on the permeability of the wood species. The efficacy of decay and termite resistance was determined by surface retention per unit area of the surface-treated wood. The surface treatment with CA-C, ACQ-C, and TP significantly enhanced the decay and termite resistances of the wood. But for low-permeability wood species such as Picea asperata, a higher concentration of preservatives or periodic re-surface-treatment is necessary to maintain resistance to decay and to termites.
- Researchpp 2376-2385Zhang, S.-Y., Wang, C.-G., Fei, B.-H., Yu, Y., Cheng, H.-T., and Tian, G.-L. (2013). "Mechanical function of lignin and hemicelluloses in wood cell wall revealed with microtension of single wood fiber," BioRes. 8(2), 2376-2385.AbstractArticlePDF
Chinese Fir wood (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook) was subjected to extraction treatments with sodium chlorite (NaClO2) for delignification, as well as with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at different concentrations for extraction of hemicelluloses. The wood was examined using a Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer and microtension technique to track changes in the chemical and the micromechanical properties of the cell wall. The results of the microtensile tests indicated that the hemicelluloses caused more damage to the mechanical properties of the cell wall than lignin. The micromechanical properties that occurred with degradation of chemical components underlined the key role of hemicelluloses in maintaining the integrity of the cell wall.
- Researchpp 2386-2397Safinas, M. S. A., Bakar, A. A., and Ismail, H. (2013). "Properties of kenaf bast powder-filled high density polyethlene/ethylene propylene diene monomer composites," BioRes. 8(2), 2386-2397.AbstractArticlePDF
High-density polyethylene (HDPE)/ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) blend was prepared by mixing HDPE and EPDM in an internal mixer. Kenaf fibers were then added to the mixture with a few minutes of mixing. The tensile properties of the HDPE/EPDM/kenaf composites were investigated using tensile testing and scanning electron microscopy. Treated kenaf bast powder was prepared using hydrochloric acid (HCl). Hydrolysis was carried out to study the effect of HCl on the structure, composition, and properties of the fibers. HCl treatment removed the impurities in the fibers, resulting in smooth fibers with a small particles size. Fourier transform infrared analysis showed a reduction in lignin, wax, and hemicellulose but no modification in surface chemical composition. The treated filled HDPE/EPDM composites had high tensile strength, elongation at break, and modulus than the untreated filled HDPE/EPDM composites.
- Researchpp 2398-2416Meng, Q., Wan, J., Ma, Y., and Wang, Y. (2013). "Effects of different deinking processes on fiber morphology, hydrogen bond models, and cellulose supramolecular structure," BioRes. 8(2), 2398-2416.AbstractArticlePDF
Deinked pulp fibers produced by three kinds of deinking processes, alkaline deinking, neutral deinking, and enzymatic deinking, were studied by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Cross-Polarization Magic Angle Spinning Carbon-13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CP/MAS 13C-NMR). There were remarkable differences in both macroscopic and microscopic structure between the samples. SEM images showed that the effects of deinking processes on fiber morphology were obvious and the influences of alkaline deinking were the most apparent. FTIR analysis indicated that the content of intermolecular hydrogen bonds increased by 22.63%, 9.42%, and 14.40% after the alkaline deinking process, neutral deinking process, and enzymatic deinking process, respectively. XRD revealed that the average width of crystallite size in the (002) lattice plane was decreased after different deinking processes, in accordance with the change tendency of cellulose crystallinity. CP/MAS 13C NMR combined with spectral fitting demonstrated that the content of different cellulose polymorphs changed during deinking processes. The increase of WRV was attributed to changes in the hydrogen bonding patterns and cellulose supramolecular structure.
- Researchpp 2417-2428Takahashi, S., Tanifuji, K., Shiell, K., Fatehi, P., Jahan, M. S., Ohi, H., and Ni, Y. (2013). "Removal of acetic acid from spent sulfite liquor using anion exchange resin for effective xylose fermentation with Pichia stipitis," BioRes. 8(2), 2417-2428.AbstractArticlePDF
Acetic acid is one of the major inhibitors of spent sulfite liquor (SSL) fermentation for ethanol production. The objective of this study was to remove acetic acid from hardwood SSL using anion exchange resin in order to achieve effective fermentation with Pichia stipitis CBS6054. Lignosulfonate, as well as sulfate and sulfite ions in the SSL hindered the removal of acetic acid by anion exchange resins. CaO treatment was an effective method for removing these materials from SSL, which facilitated the removal of acetic acid in the subsequent ion exchange resin treatment. A two-stage strong base ion exchange resin (OH- form) treatment removed approximately 90% of the acetic acid from CaO-treated SSL, which decreased the acetic acid concentration to less than 1 g/L. The combined treatment of CaO and ion exchange resin treatments in a relatively short time achieved the selective removal of acetic acid from SSL and significantly increased the ethanol production from SSL.
- Researchpp 2429-2441Valdés, L., Gullón, P., Salazar, N., Rios-Covián, D., González-Muñoz, M. J., Parajó, J. C., Ruas-Madiedo, P., Gueimonde, M., and de los Reyes-Gavilán, C. G. (2013). "Population dynamics of some relevant intestinal microbial groups in human fecal batch cultures with added fermentable xylooligosaccharides obtained from rice husks," BioRes. 8(2), 2429-2441.AbstractArticlePDF
Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) obtained by autohydrolysis of rice husks were demonstrated in a previous study to act as fermentable substrates by the intestinal microbiota in human fecal slurry cultures, leading to the generation of acetic and lactic acids and supporting the growth of bifidobacteria (Gullón et al. 2011). The purpose of the present study was to provide new insights into other possible targets of XOS action by determining (in the same fecal cultures) the levels of some relevant intestinal microbial groups and the profile of Bifidobacterium species by quantitative and qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. XOS-containing concentrates promoted the growth of Lactobacillus-Weissella, Bacteroides-Prevotella, and Clostridium cluster XIVa groups, as well as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii species. Preliminary results point to possible variation in the profile of some bifidobacteria species in fecal cultures caused by XOS that should be further investigated. These results support XOS as potential prebiotics for the design of functional food products.
- Researchpp 2442-2452Grünewald, T., Grigsby, W., Tondi, G., Ostrowski, S., Petutschnigg, A., and Wieland, S. (2013). "Chemical characterization of wood-leather panels by means of 13C NMR spectroscopy," BioRes. 8(2), 2442-2452.AbstractArticlePDF
Intelligent resource usage is one of the most challenging tasks for the wood-based panels industry. With respect to this issue, leather shavings, derived during leather preparation, are a promising new raw material, as they offer not only high availability, but also potentially enhance material properties such as panel fire retardancy. In order to improve the performance of these emerging panel binder materials, an understanding of chemical interactions between the different constituents is crucial. This paper investigates the chemical changes that occur during hot-pressing of wood and leather in combination with lignin by means of solid state 13C NMR spectroscopy. These constituents, their binary mixtures, and the influences of panel pressing temperature and pressure commonly used in panel production were investigated. The study showed characteristic chemistry and features of these constituents, quantifying the impacts of both heat and pressure on their interactions. Primarily, analysis revealed that lignin readily connects with both the wood and leather components. Lignin induces chemical change within the protein structure of leather, resembling tanning reactions, or protein complexation. By analogy, it was deduced that this interaction also takes place between leather and the lignin-rich wood fibre surface. This effect may be beneficial in industrial-scale production through improving resin binding properties during panel consolidation.
- Researchpp 2453-2469Mao, A., Hassan, E. B., and Kim, M. G. (2013). "Investigation of low mole ratio UF and UMF resins aimed at lowering the formaldehyde emission potential of wood composite boards," BioRes. 8(2), 2453-2469.AbstractArticlePDF
Urea-melamine-formaldehyde (UMF) resins with 2.5% and 5.0% melamine levels added at the beginning of the third step of the typical urea-formaldehyde (UF) synthesis procedure were synthesized with an F/(U+M) mole ratio of 1.05 and evaluated as particleboard binders to investigate the positive effects of melamine on the formaldehyde content and physical performance of boards. Resins were tested for storage properties and analyzed by 13C NMR. Curing catalysts were studied, curing rates were measured, and laboratory particleboards were prepared and tested for formaldehyde contents as well as strength and water-soak test values. The UMF resins resulted in slower curing rates but had adequate board strength values. The formaldehyde content values were within the newly created California emission law (5.2 to 8.0 mg/100 g board). Another objective of this work was to establish the baseline performance of these resins for use in subsequent studies that will aim to reveal the effects of methylene-ether group contents on formaldehyde emissions.