Research Articles

The performance of a date palm tree bark-based biofilter inoculated with mixed microbial consortia was investigated for the removal of a benzene- ethylbenzene-xylene mixture at a total inlet loading rate range of 38.0 to 612.0 g/m3·h. The influences of the inlet pollutant concentration and air flow rate were studied. The maximum elimination capacities attained for benzene, ethylbenzene, and toluene were 79.51, 77.47, and 57.08 g/m3·h, respectively. The removal efficiencies were evaluated and found to vary inversely with the inlet pollutant concentration. The VOC conversions were demonstrated by the difference in inlet and exit concentrations. The axial removal performance of the biofilter was studied, and the contribution of the lowest part was comparatively more than those of the upper sections because of the different biomass growth patterns. Temperature monitoring in the biofilter confirmed the exothermic nature of the biodegradation.

The carbonization of lignocelullosic waste to obtain wood vinegar (WV) was investigated in this work. WV was used as a botanical insecticide against armyworm (Spodoptera litura), which is known as a major pest of soybean crops in Indonesia. This study includes the following: (i) the assessment of potential use of lignocellulosic waste from mahogany wooden-sandal home industry; (ii) the determination of the yield of various components of carbonization process, from each unit of the waste; and (iii) the application of the produced WV as larvicide on S. litura larvae in the laboratory. The experiments were arranged in a completely randomized design, and the observed variables included mortality and anti-feedant activity of S. litura larvae. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance with Duncan’s multiple differences test. The results showed that the amount of wood waste generated at wooden-sandal craftsman level was 16.12%. Carbonization of 1,000 g of the wood waste yielded WV, tar, bio-oil, and char in quantities of 442.68 g, 36.5 g, 4.04 g, and 251 g, respectively. The treatment using WV concentration of 1.5% to 3.0% showed low larvacidal action, which gave LC50 value of 12.82%, but it had adequate anti-feedant activity.

Biochars (BC) generated from biomass residues have been recognized as effective sorbents for organic compounds. In this study, biochars as adsorbents for the removal of norfloxacin (NOR) from aqueous solutions were evaluated. Biochars were prepared from cassava dregs at 350 °C, 450 °C, 550 °C, 650 °C, and 750 °C, respectively (labeled as BC350, BC450, BC550, BC650, and BC750). The results showed that the kinetic data were best fitted to the pseudo second-order model, indicating that the sorption was governed by the availability of sorption sites on the biochar surfaces rather than the NOR concentration in the solution. Sorption isotherms of NOR were well described by the Freundlich model, and the Freundlich coefficients (lgkF) increased with the pyrolysis temperature of biochars. Thermodynamic analysis indicated the feasibility and spontaneity of the NOR adsorption process. The NOR adsorption on BC450, BC550, BC650, and BC750 was an endothermic process, while an exothermic process occurred for BC350. FTIR studies further suggested that the adsorption mechanism was possibly attributable to H-bond and π-π interactions between NOR and biochars. Overall, this work constitutes a basis for further research considering the bioavailability and toxicity of antibiotics in the presence of biochar.

To achieve high value-added utilization of lignin extracted from the biorefinery process in the wood composite industry, binderless particle boards were manufactured by bamboo materials combined with alkaline lignin (AL) in various proportions under various hot-pressing conditions. To elucidate the reactivity and chemical transformations of lignin macromolecules during the hot-pressing process, lignin samples were isolated from the corresponding boards and characterized by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), quantitative 31P-NMR, and 2D-HSQC NMR. The best bonding strength (1.36 MPa) of the binderless particle boards was obtained under the conditions of 180 °C, pressure 5 MPa, and lignin/bamboo mass ratio 0.4. The molecular weight of the lignin samples decreased from 3260 to 1420 g/mol during hot-pressing. The NMR results showed that the contents of β–O-4′ and β-β’ linkages were reduced and β-5′ linkages were increased as the hot-pressing temperature rose. Simultaneously, the percentage of G-type and H-type lignins as well as the content of phenolic OH increased.

Tensile properties of bamboo fiber (BF)/polypropylene (PP) composites were investigated for different impregnation modification processes. The surface morphology of BF and the fracture morphology of the BF/PP composites were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Images showed that CaCO3 nanoparticles (nano-CaCO3) adhered to the fiber surfaces. Tension tests of individual bamboo fibers (IBFs) and the BF/PP composites were conducted. The results indicated that the tensile strength (TS), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and elongation at break (EAB) of IBFs increased by 16.0%, 22.2%, and 5.2%, respectively, while those of the BF/PP composites increased by 3.0%, 7.0%, and 15.8%, respectively, compared to the control samples. Various process parameters during the impregnation with nano-CaCO3 had marked effects on the tensile properties of the composites. The optimal conditions for BF-reinforced PP composites by impregnation modification were determined to be a nano-CaCO3 concentration of 1.0×10-2 g/mL, an ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA-2Na) additive concentration of 8.5×10-4 g/mL, and an impregnation time of 25 min.

An artificial neural network (ANN) approach was employed for the prediction and control of surface roughness (Ra and Rz) in a computer numerical control (CNC) machine. Experiments were performed on a CNC machine to obtain data used for the training and testing of an ANN. Experimental studies were conducted, and a model based on the experimental results was set up. Five machining parameters (cutter type, tool clearance strategy, spindle speed, feed rate, and depth of cut) were used. One hidden layer was used for all models, while there were five neurons in the hidden layer of the Ra and Rz models. The RMSE values were calculated as 1.05 and 3.70. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values were calculated as 20.18 and 15.14, which can be considered as a good prediction. The results of the ANN approach were compared with the measured values. It was shown that the ANN prediction model obtained is a useful and effective tool for modeling the Ra and Rz of wood. The results of the present research can be applied in the wood machining industry to reduce energy, time, and cost.

The wetting phenomena and surface energetic behavior in heat-treated bamboo were studied. The bamboo specimens were heat-treated at temperatures of 100, 140, and 180 °C for 4 h, and an untreated sample served as a control. The sessile drop technique was used to estimate the surface contact angles of the control and heat-treated bamboo samples. The contact angle data were then used to determine the surface free energies using the Lifshitz-van der Waals/acid-based approach. The results revealed that the heat treatment process affects surface wettability. Heat treatment at 100 to 180 °C increased the contact angle of distilled water and formamide, but heat treatment did not cause any increase in the contact angle of diiodomethane. The hydrophobic characteristics of the bamboo surfaces also increased under heat treatment, and the surface free energy and the polarity of the bamboo decreased. Surface analysis by XPS of the samples heat-treated at 180 °C showed a decreased O/C ratio and increased C1 peak, indicating that more lignin and extractives were situated on the bamboo surface. Changes in wettability can greatly impact the use of the material, particularly with respect to the adhesion of paints and coatings.

Organosolv lignin degradation was carried out through hydrogenolysis routes with SO42-/ZrO2 as the catalyst. Structural characterization and antioxidant activity of organosolv lignin samples were investigated; the antioxidant activity of the organosolv lignin was compared with that of soda lignin. Results showed that the active functional groups contents of organosolv lignin were increased, and the antioxidant activity of organosolv lignin was improved. The total hydroxyl and phenolic hydroxyl group contents of organosolv lignin were increased by 15.81% and 26.55%, respectively, and the Mw was decreased from 5739 g/mol to 4499 g/mol. The IC50 of organosolv lignin on DPPH radicals scavenging rate, ABTS+ radicals scavenging rate, and reducing power were decreased by 18.91%, 18.08%, and 8.48%, respectively. The catalyzed organosolv lignin can be used as a natural antioxidant for functional food or in cosmetic and polymeric materials.

To improve technical performance of wood siding, treatment with maleic anhydride was applied. The effects on technical performance of drying time and esterification temperature parameters were analyzed. Wood samples of lodgepole pine and white pine were treated and tested. Results indicated that treatment improves technical performance of wood (dimensional stability, fungal degradation resistance, and accelerated aging). FTIR spectroscopy analysis showed spectra with peaks at 1750 to 1730 cm-1. These correspond to ester bonds formed between wood hydroxyl groups and MA carboxylic acid groups. SEM images indicate that the MA quantity in wood cavities was increased with decreasing esterification temperature. Weight percent gain (WPG) increased with decreasing time and temperature of esterification. Artificial aging and fungal degradation performances were monitored using FTIR analysis. Esterification temperature had no important effect on fungal degradation. Weight loss after fungal exposure of treated samples was not only due to fungal action but also due to evaporation of MA during the drying step. Regarding artificial aging, degradation of wood components and ester bonds were less for samples esterified at 180 °C than those esterified at 160 °C or 140 °C.

Ground calcium carbonate (GCC) was modified in this work using starch, sodium stearate, and sodium hexametaphosphate. The effects of reaction temperature and the dosage of sodium hexametaphosphate on the coating weight of modified GCC and the utilization rate were considered. The strength (tensile, burst, and tear) of papers filled with modified GCC vs. unmodified GCC was compared. The research showed that lower precipitation reaction temperature was conducive to the increase of modified GCC coating weight and the complex utilization rate. A proper dosage of sodium hexametaphosphate could effectively increase the coating weight of modified GCC and the complex utilization rate. Compared with unmodified GCC filled papers, modified GCC filled papers performed better with respect to paper strength, but the optical properties (brightness and opacity) showed the opposite trend.