Composite Biomaterials Research Articles

Enhancing properties of jute/starch bio-composite material through incorporation of magnesium carbonate hydroxide pentahydrate: A sustainable approach

This research aims to develop an environment-friendly composite material that possesses enhanced fire retardant (FR), thermal, as well as mechanical characteristics. The aim has been accomplished with the development of a jute/thermoplastic starch (TPS) based bio-composite. The fire retardancy and thermal stability of the jute/TPS composite were enhanced by the incorporation of magnesium carbonate hydroxide pentahydrate (MCHPH). Upon exposure to heat or fire, the MCHPH particles decompose in a two-stage process to yield water vapors and a char layer of MgO and CO2, which restrict access to oxygen and result in flame suppression. Moreover, the main contribution of the article is the improvement of mechanical properties simultaneously with the enhancement in the fire retardant and thermal properties, which have rarely been reported in the literature. The enhancement of mechanical properties is supported by the compatibility of MCHPH particles with jute/TPS. All the composites were developed with a constant 40 % jute fiber content, while the MCHPH concentration varied from 0 % to 9 % by weight. The tensile strength of TPS was enhanced by 595 % with the reinforcement of jute fiber and MCHPH nano-filler. Compatibility between TPS, jute, and MCHPH was discovered through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the fractured surfaces of the composites. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed a decrease in the weight loss of the MCHPH-filled jute/TPS composites at high temperatures. The vertical burning test also revealed that the composites met the requirements for a V-0 rating. The heat release rate of the composites was reduced by 36 % after the addition of MCHPH, as measured by cone calorimetry test. The biodegradability test confirmed the eco-friendly nature of the composites by demonstrating significant weight loss in soil over a 4-weeks period. Thus, the present study provided the basis for the development of a novel green composite with commendable gains in flame resistance, thermal stability, and mechanical robustness.

Simple design for membrane-free microphysiological systems to model the blood-tissue barriers

Microphysiological systems (MPS) incorporate physiologically relevant microanatomy, mechanics, and cells to mimic tissue function. Reproducible and standardized in vitro models of tissue barriers, such as the blood-tissue interface (BTI), are critical for next-generation MPS applications in research and industry. Many models of the BTI are limited by the need for semipermeable membranes, use of homogenous cell populations, or 2D culture. These factors limit the relevant endothelial-epithelial contact and 3D transport, which would best mimic the BTI. Current models are also difficult to assemble, requiring precise alignment and layering of components. The work reported herein details the engineering of a BTI-on-a-chip (BTI Chip) that addresses current disadvantages by demonstrating a single layer, membrane-free design. Laminar flow profiles, photocurable hydrogel scaffolds, and human cell lines were used to construct a BTI Chip that juxtaposes an endothelium in direct contact with a 3D engineered tissue. A biomaterial composite, gelatin methacryloyl and 8-arm polyethylene glycol thiol, was used for in situ fabrication of a tissue structure within a Y-shaped microfluidic device. To produce the BTI, a laminar flow profile was achieved by flowing a photocurable precursor solution alongside phosphate buffered saline. Immediately after stopping flow, the scaffold underwent polymerization through a rapid exposure to UV light (<300 mJ/cm2). After scaffold formation, blood vessel endothelial cells were introduced and allowed to adhere directly to the 3D tissue scaffold, without barriers or phase guides. Fabrication of the BTI Chip was demonstrated in both an epithelial tissue model and blood-brain barrier (BBB) model. In the epithelial model, scaffolds were seeded with human dermal fibroblasts. For the BBB models, scaffolds were seeded with the immortalized glial cell line, SVGP12. The BTI Chip microanatomy was analyzed post facto by immunohistochemistry, showing the uniform production of a patent endothelium juxtaposed with a 3D engineered tissue. Fluorescent tracer molecules were used to characterize the permeability of the BTI Chip. The BTI Chips were challenged with an efflux pump inhibitor, cyclosporine A, to assess physiological function and endothelial cell activation. Operation of physiologically relevant BTI Chips and a novel means for high-throughput MPS generation was demonstrated, enabling future development for drug candidate screening and fundamental biological investigations.

Fabrication and characterizations of simvastatin-containing mesoporous bioactive glass and molybdenum disulfide scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

Due to the limitations of the current treatment approaches of allograft and autograft techniques, treating bone disorders is a significant challenge. To address these shortcomings, a novel biomaterial composite is required. This study presents the preparation and fabrication of a novel biomaterial composite scaffold that combines poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), and simvastatin (Sim) to address the limitations of current bone grafting techniques of autograft and allograft. The fabricated scaffold of PLGA-MBG-MoS2-Sim composites was developed using a low-cost hydraulic press and salt leaching method, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the scaffolds have a pore size between 143 and 240 μm. The protein adsorption for fabricated scaffolds was increased at 24 h. The water adsorption and retention studies showed significant results on the PLGA-MBG-MoS2-Sim composite scaffold. The biodegradation studies of the PLGA-MBG-MoS2-Sim composite scaffold have shown 54% after 28 days. In vitro, bioactivity evaluation utilizing simulated body fluid studies confirmed the development of bone mineral hydroxyapatite on the scaffolds, which was characterized using x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and SEM analysis. Furthermore, the PLGA-MBG-MoS2-Sim composite scaffold is biocompatible with C3H10T1/2 cells and expresses more alkaline phosphatase and mineralization activity. Additionally, in vivo research showed that PLGA-MBG-MoS2-Sim stimulates a higher rate of bone regeneration. These findings highlight the fabricated PLGA-MBG-MoS2-Sim composite scaffold presents a promising solution for the limitations of current bone grafting techniques.

Evaluating the Impact of Biocomposite Brick Materials on The OTTV and Diverse Thermal Characteristics of Rooms in Residential Buildings

The development of biocomposite materials for building purposes, including their incorporation in bricks, has gained momentum. Bricks are extensively utilized in residential buildings in Indonesia, making their performance a critical factor. To ensure building performance meets certain standards, Indonesia adheres to SNI 6389:2011, which mandates compliance with the Overall Thermal Transfer Value (OTTV) before construction commences. This study aims to examine the impact of using biocomposite bricks on the OTTV value. Additionally, it investigates the effects on various thermal properties of the room, such as humidity, air temperature, operative temperature, and Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT), which serve as indicators for assessing thermal comfort. The findings demonstrate that the use of biocomposite bricks can reduce the OTTV value by approximately 7.9% - 10.2%. However, there is no significant alteration observed in the physical properties of the room when compared to conventional bricks. As a result, it can be inferred that the use of biocomposite bricks holds promise for further progress in enhancing energy efficiency and addressing environmental concerns.

Biomimetic Apatite/Natural Polymer Composite Granules as Multifunctional Dental Tissue Regenerative Material

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of novel composite biomaterials designed for dental applications, aiming to potentially address the prevalent challenge of dental and periodontal tissue loss. The composites consisted of biomimetic hydroxyapatite (mHA) enriched with Mg2+, CO32−, and Zn2+ ions, type I collagen, alginate, and, additionally, chitosan and sericin. The granules were loaded with ibuprofen sodium salt. The investigation encompassed a morphology characterization, a porosity analysis, a chemical structure assessment, and an examination of the swelling behavior, drug release kinetics (ibuprofen), and release profiles of zinc and magnesium ions. The granules exhibited irregular surfaces with an enhanced homogeneity in the chitosan-coated granules and well-developed mesoporous structures. The FT-IR spectra confirmed the presence of ibuprofen sodium, despite overlapping bands for the polymers. The granules demonstrated a high water-absorption capacity, with delayed swelling observed in the chitosan-coated granules. Ibuprofen displayed burst-release profiles, especially in the G1 and G3 samples. In the case of the chitosan-coated granules (G2 and G4), lower amounts of ibuprofen were released. In turn, there was a significant difference in the released amount of magnesium and zinc ions from the granules, which was most likely caused by their different location in the hydroxyapatite crystals. The cytotoxicity assays confirmed the non-cytotoxic behavior of the biomaterial. These findings suggest the potential applicability of these biomaterials in dental scenarios, emphasizing their multifunctional and biocompatible nature.

Investigation of mechanical properties and long-term efficacy of chitosan-reinforced bamboo and nano bio-silica-reinforced composite materials for dental implants

This work is dedicated to fabricated Chitosan-reinforced bamboo and nano bio-silica (1%, 2%, and 3% by volume) using the hand-layup method and investigate their mechanical properties. Mechanical characterization of samples proves that 2% volume nano bio silica-reinforced composites (C2) exhibit the highest tensile, flexural, and compressive strengths. Finite element analysis of dental implants for static and dynamic loading (60 cycles per minute) also confirmed the suitability of the C2 composites for dental implant applications, with Von-Mises stresses below the yield strength in human jaw bones. These findings highlight the potential use of bio-composite material for the dental implants in future.

Calcium silicate biocomposites: effects of selenium oxide on the physico-mechanical features and their in-vitro biological assessments

Bone tissue regenerative material serves as a prospective recovery candidate with self-adaptable biological properties of bio-activation, degradability, compatibility, and antimicrobial efficacy instead of metallic implants. Such materials are highly expensive due to chemical reagents and complex synthesis procedures, making them unaffordable for patients with financial constraints. This research produced an efficient bone tissue regenerative material using inexpensive naturally occurring source materials, including silica sand and limestone. The extracted SiO2 and CaO particles (75:25 wt%) were subjected to hydrothermal synthesis (water treatment instead of chemical solvents) to produce the CaSiO3 biomaterial (code: S). Selenium oxide was doped with calcium silicate at 3, 5, and 10 wt.% to enhance its properties, yielding biocomposite materials (i.e. S3, S5, and S10). The physico-mechanical properties of these materials were investigated with x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, FESEM-EDS, and micro-universal testing machine. The results revealed that the synthesized biocomposites have a crystalline wollastonite phase with a porously fused rough surface. From structural parametric calculations, we found that the biocomposites have reduced particle size and enhanced surface area due to the influence of selenium oxide. The biocomposite S10, having high SeO2 content, attained the maximum compressive strength of 75.2 MPa. In-vitro studies of bioactivity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity were performed. At 7 and 14 d of bioactivity, the synthesized biocomposites are capable of dissolving their ions into simulated body fluid (SBF) solution to precipitate hydroxyapatite and a required Ca/P ratio of 1.69 was achieved by S3. A comparative analysis has been performed on the degradation activity in Tris-HCl and the consequent pH changes during SBF treatment. The bio-analysis revealed that the biocomposite S3 shows enhanced bioactivity through a controlled degradation rate and secured cell viability of 88% at a concentration of 100 μg ml−1. It also offers significant bacterial inhibition potency against E.coli and S.aureus bacteria.

Effect of Borax-Boric Acid Treatment on Fire Resistance, Thermal Stability, Acoustic, and Mechanical Properties of Mycelium Bio Composites

Mycelium biocomposite materials have been established as a sustainable alternative to polystyrene in single use applications like packaging. However only little investigations are done on improving their resistance to fire and heat, which can find use in newer applications. This paper focuses on the development and characterization of a mycelium-based sawdust-coir pith biocomposite material treated with a combination of fire-retardant compounds (borax and boric acid). The outcomes of fire resistance tests, such as flammability, flame penetration and rate of burning demonstrated a significant improvement in values with respect to untreated samples. However, samples having 30% boron compounds by weight in it exhibited the best fire resistance properties. The thermal analysis of treated samples indicated that the presence of fire-retardant chemicals has not significantly affected their thermal stability. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of treated mycelium composite material was found to be 212.75 °C against a value of 207.78 °C for untreated samples. The fire retardant treated mycelium composite samples having 30% boron by weight in it, exhibited an average sound absorption coefficient of 0.38 compared with a sound absorption coefficient of 0.29 for polyurethane foam. The prepared mycelium biocomposite has a self-extinguishing nature and exceptional fire resistance capabilities with an LOI value of 50%. The mechanical testing revealed that the presence of fire-retardant chemicals has significantly improved the flexural properties. However, only a marginal increase was visible in the compression strength of mycelium biocomposites.

PVA/essential oil‐based active food packaging films functionalised with halloysite nanotubes and cellulose nanocrystals as filler materials for the shelf‐life extension of papaya fruits

SummaryThis study investigates the development of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and essential oil‐based biocomposite films incorporating halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as reinforcement materials for the packaging of papaya fruits to extend their postharvest shelf‐life. The fabrication process involves the dispersion of filler materials within the PVA polymer matrix, followed by the casting of the films using the solvent‐evaporation technique. The CNC isolated from the papaya peel exhibited rod‐like structures that were confirmed in the morphological studies. The films reinforced with HNT and CNC (5 wt%) had enhanced mechanical properties and exhibited a tensile strength of ~64.40 MPa. The findings of the study demonstrate that the fruits packed with biocomposite materials containing HNTs and CNCs as reinforcements and lemongrass essential oil as active material showed better performance when compared to the control. The edible quality and the storage life of the papaya fruits (TSS, firmness and weight loss %) under investigation were extended by 14 days at ambient temperature (25 °C ± 2 °C) and relative humidity (80%–85%), thus improving the postharvest shelf‐life of harvested papayas. Therefore, PVA‐based active packaging film prepared with lemongrass essential oil, HNTs and CNCs has great potential for the preservation of papaya during postharvest storage.

Effect of mold temperature on properties of hybrid biocomposites from semicrystalline polymers and agro-industrial by-products

The surface temperature of the mold is a critical processing parameter that significantly influences the quality of composites during injection molding. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of mold surface temperature on the properties of hybrid biocomposite materials prepared by incorporating polypropylene-PP with agro-industrial by-products such as rice husks-RH and fique powder-FP using co-rotating twin-screw extrusion and injection molding. While this article focuses on PP as the polymeric matrix, the methodology employed in this study can also be applied to investigate the effect of mold surface temperature on the properties of other polymers used in the production of hybrid composites via injection molding as biobased or biodegradable plastics. The mechanical characterization reveals that the utilization of higher mold temperatures and the hybridization of RH and FP result in an increase in the elastic modulus of up to 30% compared to PP. Also, thermal, viscoelastic, morphological, and HDT characterization revealed that higher surface mold temperature led to changes in PP crystallinity, and a better hybrid biocomposites performance. This study highlights the potential of mold surface temperature controlling and agro-industrial by-products hybridization for the design and production of higher quality and sustainable products using injection molding.

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A DEVICE FOR REDUCTION OF DATA LOSS AND TIME TAKEN FOR TRANSFERRING THE DATA INTO AN ARTIFICIAL BIOCOMPOSITE SOCKET PROSTHESIS THROUGH ARDUINO

In recent years, technical innovations have made artificial limbs much more comfortable, but not patient satisfaction. In this work, an artificial bio-composite prosthesis is designed and developed. Further, the concept of cloning the movement action of the anatomical leg and feeding it to the prosthetic leg is achieved through an accelerometer sensor and microcontroller. Results demonstrate that the efficiency of the proposed device depends on the angle suspension, hinge lubrication and the prosthetic material, which should be sufficient to sustain the development and application of technological solutions. The proposed sensor-based technology plays an important role in rehabilitation field. It has been proven from this work that the data transfer from the normal leg to the prosthetic leg is quick and data loss is reduced. The design of the prototype could mimic various gestures and motions to make things feel much better for amputees. A prototype mimicking the functions of the human leg was successfully designed, bringing out various gestures and motions for the betterment of the amputees. This sensor-based technology gives a great solution for amputees to make life better like a normal person. As the sockets are made up of jute fiber reinforced epoxy biocomposite material, the skin irritation is reduced for the above-knee amputee patients. Through this proposed prosthetic leg, the patients can perform the normal actions of the leg as a healthy person. Also, the proposed mechanism is highly suitable for disabled patients for their better gait movement.

“Bamboo: A Very Sustainable Construction Material &amp; the 3rd World Symposium on Sustainable Bio-Composite Materials and Structures” - 2022 International Conference summary report

The 2022 International Conference—Bamboo: A Very Sustainable Construction Material &amp; the 3rd World Symposium on Sustainable Bio-Composite Materials and Structures—was held from November 8 to December 13, 2022. This conference was led by INBAR and INBAR Bamboo Construction Task Force and co-organized by 37 other national and international institutions. More than 80 experts from over 20 countries delivered speeches or presentations to approximately 1400 participants from 81 countries and shared the latest research and development on bamboo and timber construction with them. The conference convened global architects, engineers, forestry experts, researchers, entrepreneurs, and policy makers to present the potential uses and suitability of bamboo, timber, and other biomaterials as conventional construction materials in modern society. This paper summarizes the key deliberations and findings of the diverse research, including the state-of-practice and the means of moving the state-of-the-art forward. Further actions on training, standardization, and research were urged to be taken to promote this industry.

Thermal properties and Life Cycle Assessment of new eco-sandwich panel for building thermal insulation

Lightweight eco-materials are in high demand in many sectors, such as aerospace, industry, and building due to their several characteristics. The present paper is an experimental investigation of the thermal characteristics of novel sandwich panels made with local and ecological materials namely agglomerated cork for the core and bio-composite materials for the skin. Three configurations (symmetric, asymmetric, and two layers) were studied with different cork core thicknesses. Density values have been measured and compared. Thermal characterization consists of determining thermal conductivity and specific heat using a HFM apparatus; whilst thermal diffusivity and thermal effusivity have been calculated using the experimental findings. The panels are lightweight and thermally insulating. The values of thermal conductivity are in the range 0.071 and 0.102 W.m−1.K−1. The comparison between experimental results of thermal conductivity to theoretical values highlights the accuracy of method for multi-layer thermal characterization and the good adhesion between layers. Finally, a life cycle assessment of the new sandwich panels has been carried out and compared with common insulation materials. The sandwich panels are efficient in terms of embodied energy and CO2 emissions compared to commercialized insulators and some insulators based on recycled or natural materials, the embodied energy for symmetric configuration with 4 cm cork core are 79.73, 94.75, and 89.35 MJ/FU corresponding to an embodied carbon 5.33, 6.32, and 6.01 CO2/FU respectively. They can be classified in the middle between synthetic and natural insulators. Based on the findings, it was concluded that utilizing these sandwich panels as construction materials for interior paneling or partition walls could offer benefits in terms of being environmentally sustainable and cost-efficient.

Potensi Dan Cabaran Bahan Biokomposit sebagai Struktur Kejuruteraan dalam Perlindungan Cerun Ekologi: Satu Tinjauan

Ecological slope protection technology has gained popularity as a sustainable and eco-friendly approach for slope restoration and conservation. The integration of ecological considerations into slope protection techniques has resulted in more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. In order to advance the development of ecological self-cycling, this study conducts a comprehensive review of the latest advancements in ecological slope protection technology materials. A systematic literature search was conducted using four databases (Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar) and based on the keywords: ecological slope protection; slope protection; bio-composite material; bio-material; eco-material; eco-friendly building material; mycelium based material; natural fiber composite and biochar. This article provides a detailed discussion of the fundamental types of ecological slope conservation and the properties of materials used in ecological slope protection technology. The usage of environmentally friendly innovative materials has overtaken traditional engineered structures as the primary mode of ecological slope protection innovation. In particular, this study focuses on the structural basis of ecological slope protection, conducting a comparative analysis of the properties of existing bio-composites and evaluating whether they could replace the base structure of ecological slope protection. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of more sustainable and effective ecological slope protection techniques, thereby promoting ecological conservation and restoration.

Dynamic simulation and optimisation of a solar heating system for rural houses in Algeria

This work aims to demonstrate the feasibility of solar heating of a stand-alone house located in a continental climate region in Algeria. The design and optimisation of this system are based on dynamic simulations of a typical rural house using a TRNSYS-Fortran program. To manage all the subsystems composing the heating system, a pertinent control strategy is adopted. Using 2.8-m3 storage tanks, the optimal solar share in meeting the annual thermal needs of the house is 46%. Besides, an energy-efficient design based on a local bio-composite thermal insulation material reduces the thermal energy needs of the house by 42%. The results of optimisation calculations are compared to experimental tests and show good agreement. For environmental impact, the study reveals that 39% of CO2 emissions can be avoided annually. Moreover, the economic cost of the system has been evaluated, and the results show that the payback period is 53 years.

An injectable and 3D printable pro-chondrogenic hyaluronic acid and collagen type II composite hydrogel for the repair of articular cartilage defects

Current treatments for repairing articular cartilage defects are limited. However, pro-chondrogenic hydrogels formulated using articular cartilage matrix components (such as hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen type II (Col II)), offer a potential solution if they could be injected into the defect via minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures, or used as bioinks to 3D print patient-specific customised regenerative scaffolds—potentially combined with cells. However, HA and Col II are difficult to incorporate into injectable/3D printable hydrogels due to poor physicochemical properties. This study aimed to overcome this by developing an articular cartilage matrix-inspired pro-chondrogenic hydrogel with improved physicochemical properties for both injectable and 3D printing (3DP) applications. To achieve this, HA was methacrylated to improve mechanical properties and mixed in a 1:1 ratio with Col I, a Col I/Col II blend or Col II. Col I possesses superior mechanical properties to Col II and so was hypothesised to enhance hydrogel mechanical properties. Rheological analysis showed that the pre-gels had viscoelastic and shear thinning properties. Subsequent physicochemical analysis of the crosslinked hydrogels showed that Col II inclusion resulted in a more swollen and softer polymer network, without affecting degradation time. While all hydrogels exhibited exemplary injectability, only the Col I-containing hydrogels had sufficient mechanical stability for 3DP applications. To facilitate 3DP of multi-layered scaffolds using methacrylated HA (MeHA)-Col I and MeHA-Col I/Col II, additional mechanical support in the form of a gelatin slurry support bath freeform reversible embedding of suspended hydrogels was utilised. Biological analysis revealed that Col II inclusion enhanced hydrogel-embedded MSC chondrogenesis, thus MeHA-Col II was selected as the optimal injectable hydrogel, and MeHA-Col I/Col II as the preferred bioink. In summary, this study demonstrates how tailoring biomaterial composition and physicochemical properties enables development of pro-chondrogenic hydrogels with potential for minimally invasive delivery to injured articular joints or 3DP of customised regenerative implants for cartilage repair.

Comparative study of hydroxyapatite synthesized using Schiff base and wet chemical precipitation methods

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) exists as an inorganic and crystalline composition present in bones and dental enamel, and hence can be utilized as a direct element or as part of the composition of biomaterials and implants for dental and orthopaedic applications. Listed below are a few synthesis techniques for HAp that are listed in the literature: solid-state and mechano-chemical methods (dry methods), wet chemical precipitation and sol-gel methods (wet methods), and combustion and pyrolysis methods (high-temperature processes). Nevertheless, there are new and more productive techniques that result in HAp with a regulated morphology, such as the Schiff base method, which, on reaction with calcium and phosphate precursors, forms chelating complexes to produce HAp nuclei. This research paper presents the comparison in characteristics between HAp synthesized using Schiff base (HAp-SB), wet chemical precipitation (HAp-WC) methods, and commercial HAp (HAp-CM) in their powdered and pelleted form. The average size of HAp-WC particles in the spherical form was found to be 603 nm ± 176, HAp-SB were found to have rod-like morphology, which is very similar to human bone-like HAp, with an average length and width of 1522 nm ± 759 and 400 nm ± 112, respectively, and HAp-CM were found to have spherical morphology with dimensions of 52 nm ± 25. Biological studies show that cell viability of HAp-SB pellet (202.01% ± 8.16) seemed to have higher cell proliferation properties than HAp-WC pellet (145.7% ± 5.11) and HAp-CM pellet (71.53% ± 3.61) due to its higher aspect ratio, and hence higher surface area for the cells to adhere. In a detailed study, it is observed that both techniques had their advantages, and there were no significant disadvantages observed.

Iron–palladium nanoparticle biocomposites with increased metal loading

Biocomposites containing magnetic nanoparticles have the potential to combine the unique, tunable properties of nanoparticles with the strong mechanical and environmentally sustainable properties of natural fibers like cotton. Recently, a method to synthesize Fe–Pd nanoparticles on cellulose has been developed. This study presents a detailed investigation on how the structural and magnetic properties of these nanoparticle biocomposite materials are affected by increasing metal loading with respect to the cellulose while maintaining a fixed 1:1 Fe:Pd atomic ratio. Infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) indicate that spherical Fe–Pd nanoparticles (approximately 3–8 nm in diameter) are distributed heterogeneously throughout the fiber matrix along with amorphous iron oxide, while XRD suggests the dominant crystalline phase within the nanoparticles is likely FePd3 under significant strain. The magnetic response of the biocomposites in static and dynamic magnetic fields (as a function of frequency and temperature) reveals a polydisperse ensemble of Fe–Pd nanoparticles with up to four distributions of blocking temperatures. The lower temperature distributions are prevalent at low metal loading. As the metal loading increases, the higher temperature distributions emerge, while the lower temperature distributions are suppressed. This result points towards enhanced nanoparticle heterogeneity and agglomeration as the metal loading increases.

Preparation and Spectroscopic, Thermal, and Mechanical Characterization of Biocomposites of Poly(butylene succinate) and Onion Peels or Durum Wheat Bran.

The utilization of plant based fillers: onion peels (OP) and durum wheat bran (WB) to obtain sustainable biocomposite materials with poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) is presented in this paper. The biocomposites were first obtained in pellet form by extrusion method and then injection moldings were made from the pellets. Two kinds of biocomposites were fabricated containing 15% and 30% wt. of OP or WB. Additionally, pure PBS moldings were prepared for comparative purposes. The effect of the filler type and its amount on the chemical structure, density, thermal, and thermo-mechanical properties of the fabricated composite samples was studied. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results showed that the composite preparation method had no effect on the chemical structure of composite components, but weak interactions such as hydrogen bonding between OP or WB and PBS was observed. The addition of OP or WB to the composite with PBS reduced its thermal stability in comparison with pure PBS, all studied composites start to degrade below 290 °C. Additionally, the mechanical properties of the composites are worse than PBS, as the impact strength dropped by about 70%. The deterioration of tensile strength was in the range 20-47%, and the elongation at maximum load of the composites was in the range 9.22-3.42%, whereas for pure PBS it was 16.75%. On the other hand, the crystallinity degree increased from 63% for pure PBS to 79% for composite with 30% wt. of WB. The Young's modulus increased to 160% for composition with 30% wt. of OP. Additionally, the hardness of the composites was slightly higher than PBS and was in the range 38.2-48.7 MPa. Despite the reduction in thermal stability and some mechanical properties, the studied composites show promise for everyday object production.

Catalytic calcite-based bio-composite material synthesis for decolourization of methyl red by Burkholderia sp. ISTR5

Contamination in the water by textile dyes considers a serious threat to all living forms. Harmful colours can be eliminated and decomposed by bacteria in wastewater. The objective of current research is to produce efficient bio composite material for removal of methyl red dye. The six different types of composite materials were utilised for the batch study. The optimum decolourization efficiency was maximum by using Calcite + DigSBiochar + Burkholderia sp. ISTR5 with 95 % at pH 8 and temperature 30 °C. The column reactor studies results indicated that Calcite + DigSBiochar + Burkholderia sp. ISTR5 can be used as an effective and successful decolourization and remediation materials for industrial pollutants wastewater including methyl red. Techniques like spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM and EDX were used for characterization.