Cashew Nut Shell Research Articles

Evaluation of the processing conditions on the production of expanded or plasticized wood plastic composite with cashew nutshell powder

Abstract In this work we investigate the influence of closed (“C”) or open (“O”) extrusion degassing, and low (5 MPa – “L”) or high (90 MPa – “H”) holding pressure during injection molding on the properties of wood-plastic composite (WPC) based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) flakes compatibilized with 5 wt% maleic anhydride-modified polyethylene (MAPE), 5 wt% lubricant (Struktol® TPW 113), and 40 wt% cashew nutshell powder (CNSP). Two reference compounds were extruded with closed degassing and injected at 90 MPa of holding pressure: (1) HDPE flakes extruded with 5 wt% MAPE and 5 wt% Struktol® TPW 113 (HDPEad_C-H) and (2) HDPE flakes previously melt mixed in an internal mixer with 5 wt% CNSL (HDPEr/5CNSL) and then extruded with the same additive content (HDPEad/5CNSL_C-H). At 90 MPa holding pressure, the extract content of WPC slightly increased and CNSL acted as a lubricant and poor plasticizing agent, reducing the crystallinity and density of the additivated matrix (HDPEad_C-H), increasing the flow rate without significantly changing the tensile strength. On the other hand, low holding pressure (5 MPa) favored the volatilization and expansion of the residual CNSL in the WPC, which acted as a blowing agent improving filling of the mold cavity and avoiding sink marks. Sample extruded with open degassing (atmospheric pressure) did not significantly change the extract content, but favored CNSL diffusion from particles to matrix, which subsequently during injection molding led to its entrapment at the interface, resulting in low adhesion, especially at high holding pressure that hinders CNSL expansion and vaporization. These findings contribute to understand the role of residual CNSL of CNSP in WPC properties and thus, to strengthen the plastics recycling chain and reduce carbon footprint.

Porous organic polymers from cashew nut shell liquid: Derived carbonized material for carbon dioxide capture

AbstractThe fast developing world is in search of measures to control the accumulation of unused by‐products and waste materials generated during the production of useful commodities. Accordingly, wastes from agro‐industrial sectors can form raw materials for the production of various resources that are extensively used in many areas such as gas sorption and energy production. In the present work, cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), the vesicant liquid present in the outer shell of cashew seed, forms the source material for the synthesis of porous organic polymers for carbon dioxide capture. Herein, novel types of hypercrosslinked polymers (HCPs) are synthesized via a simple Friedel–Crafts reaction with CNSL as the starting material. Polymerization of natural CNSL with dimethoxymethane/bis‐(chloromethyl)‐biphenyl as external crosslinker provides products in quantitative yield. One of the synthesized HCP is tuned to attain the required high porosity by carbonization at elevated temperatures using an activator. Thus, activated carbon material prepared at 700°C is found to have a high surface area of 880 m2/g with a good carbon dioxide adsorption capacity of 14.72 wt%. These porous materials had moderate isosteric heat of adsorption (23–31 kJ/mol) with excellent recycling capability.

Impact of ammonia energy fraction on improving thermal efficiency and emissions of ammonia/biodiesel in dual fuel diesel engine

Ammonia (NH3) and Cashew Nut Shell Oil (CNSO) biodiesel blends are used in a four-stroke, single-cylinder Internal Combustion (IC) engine to examine combustion characteristics, engine performance, and emissions. NH3 is an encouraging alternative fuel, considering its high energy density and carbon neutrality. Biodiesel derived from cashew nut shells is an environmentally friendly fuel option with substantial unsaturated fatty acid content. An investigation was executed with NH3 at a flow rate of 3 and 6 liters per minute (LPM) at 50 % CNSO, 50 % diesel (50CNSO50D), and 100 % CNSO. With the addition of NH3 to diesel, peak in-cylinder pressures increased from 63.412 bar to 68.87 bar at 3 LPM and 70.239 bar at 6 LPM, respectively. In comparison to diesel, CNSO biodiesel exhibited a minor decrease in peak pressure (62.034 bar) and a slight delay in ignition. Compared to diesel, thermal efficiency increased significantly with NH3, rising from 31.1 % to 33.3 % and 34.8 % at 3 and 6 LPM NH3, respectively.CO emissions analysis revealed that CNSO biodiesel reduced emissions to 17 g/kWh, comparatively diesel's 19 g/kWh, with NH3 further reducing them. The NOx emissions from CNSO biodiesel blends are higher (16 g/kWh for CNSO) than diesel (13 g/kWh), but the addition of NH3 reduces NOx emissions across all fuels. The low energy content of CNSO leads to higher CO2 emissions, but NH3 reduces these emissions. CNSO and NH3 blends had lower hydrocarbon (HC) emissions than diesel. It has been found that using NH3 and CNSO biodiesel improves the performance of diesel engines and reduces emissions, contributing to the reduction of global emissions and helping to create a more sustainable future.

Chemical Compositions, Phytochemical Screenings and Antifungal Activities of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid Extracts on Phytopathogenic Fungi of Yam (Dioscorea rotundata)

This study was carried out to evaluate the antifungal activity of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) nutshell liquid on fungal pathogens of dry rot diseases of yam (Dioscorea cayennensis subsp. rotundata). The Soxhlet extraction method was used and constituents were identified and quantified using Gas chromatography. Isolation and identification of fungi complexes associated with dry rot disease of yam were made using Potato dextrose agar (PDA) as a medium. The antifungal activity of CNSL was evaluated using the food poisoning technique on PDA at 25, 50, 75 and 100% concentrations of CNSL dissolved in dimethyl sulphoxide. Azulene (57.65%) was the major chemical component of CNSL with phenolic compounds; anacardol, cresols and anacardic acid, among other compounds. CNSL phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenols, terpenoids, volatile oil and steroids. Infected yam tubers were isolated, four fungal strains (Fusarium solani, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Aspergillus fumigatus, and A. niger) were identified, and pathogenicity test confirmed the association of the fungi species with the dry rot disease of white yam. CNSL was active against the identified fungi and could potentially compete with conventional standard as a suitable fungicide against dry rot disease of white yam.

Chemically activated carbons derived from cashew nut shells as potential electrode materials for electrochemical supercapacitors

Supercapacitors are widely recognized as energy storage solutions due to their high power densities and long cycle lives. Furthermore, there is growing scientific and technological interest in converting biomass waste into carbon materials for manufacturing supercapacitor electrodes. In addition to their abundance and cost-effectiveness, the appeal of carbons derived from biomass lies in their tunable porosity, which enables the rational design of carbon materials to achieve the desired performance of supercapacitors. Here, we present the synthesis of activated carbons from cashew nut shells via potassium hydroxide (KOH) activation at different temperatures (650, 750, and 850 °C). The resulting materials exhibited amorphous and predominant microporous structures. Increasing the activation temperature led to a rise in specific surface area from 1534 to 2034 m2 g−1 and an increased proportion of mesopores. The electrochemical properties of these activated carbons for supercapacitor applications were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge, and impedance spectroscopic techniques in a 1 M sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) electrolyte. Using a three-electrode system, the activated carbons treated at 750 °C exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 106 F g−1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 with a good rate capability; they retained 75 % at 10 A g−1 over a 1.0 V voltage window. Furthermore, a symmetric supercapacitor coin-cell, fabricated with activated carbons treated at 750 °C as the positive and negative electrodes, demonstrated an energy density of 2.43 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 1002 W kg−1. The cell exhibited 87 % capacitance retention at 1.0 A g−1 after 10,000 cycles. This work showcases the efficient and sustainable utilization of cashew nut shells as a carbon source for supercapacitor applications and highlights their value in a circular economy.

Exploring the circular prospects of cashew nutshells and avocado seeds as potential adsorbents for onboard natural gas storage

Natural gas (NG), known for its eco-friendly energy attributes, faces challenges such as low volumetric density, leakage susceptibility, and explosion risks during storage and transport. To narrow this gap, this study reports on the potential of bio-based adsorbents from cashew nut shells (CNS) and avocado seeds (AVS) as an alternative approach for the onboard storage of NG. CNS and AVS were characterized to determine moisture content, volatile matter content, ash content, and fixed carbon content. Additionally, the study determined the optimal loading of activating agents to produce activated carbons (ACs). ACs were produced through a dual process involving simultaneous chemical activation and carbonization. In the chemical activation phase, a sample of either cashew nut shells (CNS) or avocado seeds (AVS) was impregnated with phosphoric acid at various ratios. Subsequently, the properties of the ACs, including surface area, pore volume, and X-ray diffraction (XRD), were evaluated. The NG adsorption capacity of the ACs was assessed, and Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm adsorption equations were derived to elucidate the NG adsorption behavior on the ACs. The results revealed that the proximate analysis of CNS and AVS showed low moisture content (6.48% and 8.91%), high volatile matter (80.21% and 73.09%), low ash content (1.48% and 4.71%), and high fixed carbon (13.65% and 15.59%), indicating suitability for AC formulations. During synthesis, adding phosphoric acid to AVS or CNS in a 1:1 ratio resulted in significantly larger surface areas and pore volumes in the produced ACs. X-ray diffraction analysis of the ACs produced from CNS or AVS with phosphoric acid added at a 1:1 ratio indicated a broad diffraction background and a predominantly amorphous structure. The performance of the ACs in the adsorption of NG demonstrated that ACs produced from 1:1 mixtures of CNS with phosphoric acid and AVS with phosphoric acid exhibited higher adsorption capacities, 0.038 g/g and 0.031 g/g, respectively, at a low pressure of 5 bar, showcasing a novelty of this study. Furthermore, the Freundlich equation test yielded a constant R² exceeding 0.9, with positive adsorption intensity and adsorption capacity values, indicating a favorable fit for the model. In contrast, the Langmuir equation test resulted in a constant R² exceeding 0.9, but the adsorption capacity exhibited negative values, leading to inconclusive explanations. These findings affirm that bio-wastes can be an effective source of adsorbents for onboard natural gas storage , suggesting a means to reduce the take-dispose model and promote a circular economy in the energy sector.

Low Cost Water Purification: Harnessing Adsorbents for Sustainable Treatment Solutions

Water is essential for life, yet millions lack access to clean drinking water. Low-cost treatment methods are crucial to ensure equitable access to safe water and prevent waterborne diseases in underserved communities. The study devised a 12-liter water filter utilizing pebbles, sand, and adsorbents biochar of Julifora, cashew nut shell and rice husk. Results demonstrated the filter's effectiveness in sustaining pH levels while reducing chloride, fluoride, hardness and alkalinity. Particularly noteworthy was the capacity of cashew nut biochar to efficiently adsorb chloride, fluoride, hardness and alkalinity as 27%, 37%, 38% and 43% respectively. This indicates its promising role as an adsorbent for water purification. The findings underscore the potential of the designed filter in improving drinking water quality by mitigating contaminants. Further refinement and optimization of the filter could enhance its efficacy in meeting stringent water quality standards, addressing the pressing need for accessible and safe drinking water globally.

Cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) residue as a greener corrosion inhibitor: Experimental and DFT studies of intensifier effect

Industrial applications such as acid pickling and descaling justify the need for corrosion inhibitors. Among biomass derived inhibitors, there is the distillation residue of the cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL), which consists of a polyaromatic structure. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the synergistic effect of CNSL residue with KI through experimental (15 % HCl) and DFT studies. Three theoretical models were used with different radicals drawn from the experimental chemical characterization of the CNSL residue (CNSL/phenyl, CNSL/n-butyl and CNSL/tert-butyl substituents). The formulation containing intensifier, B1 + KI, achieved 89.84 % efficiency when compared to B1 (83.52 %) by linear polarization resistance. The concentration effect of formulation B1 was also evaluated, and the highest efficiency was achieved by B1 (6.0 % v/v) at 333 K (96.49 %). The presence of inhibitory film was confirmed by EDS, and a more uniform surface was observed in the presence of the corrosion inhibitor formulations. The DFT studies revealed that the proposed CNSL residue model has the potential to be used as a corrosion inhibitor, especially the CNSL/phenyl inhibitor. In acid medium, it was demonstrated that the corrosion inhibitor properties were intensified. Finally, the analysis of the interaction of chloride and iodide ions with the CNSL/phenyl compound showed that the presence of halides can improve the inhibitory properties by increasing the dipole moment values.

Study on the Impact of Bio Waste Cashew Nut Shell Powder in the Polyvinyl Alcohol Bio Films

Study on the Impact of Bio Waste Cashew Nut Shell Powder in the Polyvinyl Alcohol Bio Films

Exploring the potential of cashew nutshells: A critical review of alternative applications

The production of cashew nuts has been increasing globally, leading to a greater volume of waste materials that require proper management. Nevertheless, cashew nutshells (CNS), currently considered waste by most processors, offer a noteworthy opportunity for alternative applications owing to their distinct physical, chemical, and thermal properties. This article reviews alternative applications for CNS that can leverage these properties, while evaluating research gaps. The potential uses are classified into three categories: material development, energy production, and substance absorption. In the materials segment, various examples are discussed where CNS serves as raw material to synthesize biopolymers, cementitious materials, and a broad range of composites. The energy production section discusses various processes that utilize CNS, including pyrolysis, gasification, and briquette production. The absorption section presents CNS and activated carbon derived from CNS as effective absorbents for liquid-phase and gas-phase applications. While this review highlights numerous research-level possibilities for CNS utilization, only a few of these options have been implemented within the industry. Consequently, further research is essential, particularly in CNS characterization, economic and environmental assessment, and real-life implementation, to broaden and enhance the integration of this biomass into applications that can contribute to the value of both its production and processing chain.

Cashew nut shell biomass: A source for high-performance CO2/CH4 adsorption in activated carbon

This study embarks on the synthesis of activated carbon (AC) from cashew nut shells using a potassium carbonate (K2CO3) activation process, with a specific focus on its practical application in high-pressure gas adsorption. Among the synthesized samples, MCAK85 emerged as the most efficient, demonstrating a specific surface area of 1693 m2/g and total and micropore volumes of 0.839 cm3/g and 0.641 cm3/g, respectively. Importantly, this bioorganic activated carbon exhibited high sorption capacities for CO2 and CH4, with uptake values of 11.0 mmol/g and 5.5 mmol/g at 10 bar at 25°C, and a CO2/CH4 selectivity range between 9.1 and 1.8. A comprehensive range of characterization techniques were employed to analyze the structural and chemical properties of the synthesized AC, providing valuable insights into the functional groups and molecular structure. The morphology of the AC was examined using SEM, while the point of zero charge was determined to understand the surface charge characteristics. Additionally, TGA was utilized to assess the thermal stability and composition of the AC. This study underscores the potential of utilizing agricultural waste, specifically cashew nut shells, in the creation of effective materials for gas storage and purification applications. The high-pressure adsorption capacity of the produced AC, coupled with its sustainable and eco-friendly nature, underscores its suitability for environmental and industrial applications, particularly in areas focusing on greenhouse gas capture and air purification, thereby inspiring further research and development in this field.

Zero-valent Iron Nanoparticles: Biogenic Synthesis and their Medical Applications; Existing Challenges and Future Prospects.

In the last decade, nanobiotechnology is emerging as a keen prudence area owing to its widespread applications in the medical field. In this context, zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) have garnered tremendous attention attributed to their cheap, non-toxic, excellent paramagnetic nature, extremely reactive surface, and dual oxidation state that makes them excellent antioxidants and free-radical scavengers. Facile biogenic synthesis, in which a biological source is used as a template for the synthesis of NPs, is presumably dominant among other physical and chemical synthetic procedures. The purpose of this review is to elucidate plant-mediated synthesis of nZVI, although they have been successfully fabricated by microbes and other biological entities (such as starch, chitosan, alginate, cashew nut shell, etc.) as well. The methodology of the study involved keyword searches of electronic databases, including ScienceDirect, NCBI, and Google Scholar (2008-2023). Search terms of the review included 'biogenic synthesis of nZVI', 'plant-mediated synthesis of nZVI', 'medical applications of nZVI', and 'Recent advancements and future prospects of nZVI'. Various articles were identified and reviewed for biogenic fabrication of stable nZVI with the vast majority of studies reporting positive findings. The resultant nanomaterial found great interest for biomedical purposes such as their use as biocompatible anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and albumin binding agents that have not been adequately accessed in previous studies. This review shows that there are potential cost savings applications to be made when using biogenic nZVI for medical purposes. However, the encountering challenges concluded later, along with the prospects for sustainable future development.

Influence of cashew nut shell liquid on corrosion and tribocorrosion behavior of metallic alloys

Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) has been explored in several applications within the sustainability principles and circular economy of agro-industrial product waste. To understand the anticorrosive and lubricant properties of CNSL solutions, a multi-faceted approach, incorporating electrochemical analyses, immersion test, tribological measurements, and tribochemical characterization was carried out for mild steel AISI 1012, stainless steel AISI 420 and Aluminium Alloy 6061. Electrochemical analyses reveal a positive impact of CNSL, inducing a shift in corrosion potential to more positive values and a decrease in corrosion current, indicating effective corrosion inhibition for stainless steel and aluminium alloy. In mild steel, CNSL exhibits a mixed-type inhibition with efficiency increasing in correlation with oil concentration. The lubricating properties of CNSL are evident according to the coefficients of friction (COF) obtained and the elastohydrodynamic lubrication regime observed during tribological tests. Tribochemical tests demonstrate a reduction in wear and an improvement in tribocorrosion behavior under sliding conditions. CNSL emerges as a promising tribocorrosion mitigator, demonstrating multifaceted benefits. The concentration-dependent effects highlight the need for optimization in specific applications, particularly for passive materials. CNSL not only inhibits corrosion through film formation but also provides effective lubrication, reducing friction, wear, and chemical-mechanical degradation. This research contributes valuable insights to corrosion science. It proposes practical applications for CNSL in diverse industrial contexts, showcasing its potential as an environmentally friendly and sustainable solution for tribocorrosion challenges.

A novel fatty acid mimetic with pan-PPAR partial agonist activity inhibits diet-induced obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

ObjectiveThe prevalence of metabolic diseases is increasing globally at an alarming rate; thus, it is essential that effective, accessible, low-cost therapeutics are developed. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are transcription factors that tightly regulate glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism and are important drug targets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia. We previously identified LDT409, a fatty acid-like compound derived from cashew nut shell liquid, as a novel pan-active PPARα/γ/δ compound. Herein, we aimed to assess the efficacy of LDT409 in vivo and investigate the molecular mechanisms governing the actions of the fatty acid mimetic LDT409 in diet-induced obese mice. MethodsC57Bl/6 mice (6–11-month-old) were fed a chow or high fat diet (HFD) for 4 weeks; mice thereafter received once daily intraperitoneal injections of vehicle, 10 mg/kg Rosiglitazone, 40 mg/kg WY14643, or 40 mg/kg LDT409 for 18 days while continuing the HFD. During treatments, body weight, food intake, glucose and insulin tolerance, energy expenditure, and intestinal lipid absorption were measured. On day 18 of treatment, tissues and plasma were collected for histological, molecular, and biochemical analysis. ResultsWe found that treatment with LDT409 was effective at reversing HFD-induced obesity and associated metabolic abnormalities in mice. LDT409 lowered food intake and hyperlipidemia, while improving insulin tolerance. Despite being a substrate of both PPARα and PPARγ, LDT409 was crucial for promoting hepatic fatty acid oxidation and reducing hepatic steatosis in HFD-fed mice. We also highlighted a role for LDT409 in white and brown adipocytes in vitro and in vivo where it decreased fat accumulation, increased lipolysis, induced browning of WAT, and upregulated thermogenic gene Ucp1. Remarkably, LDT409 reversed HFD-induced weight gain back to chow-fed control levels. We determined that the LDT409-induced weight-loss was associated with a combination of increased energy expenditure (detectable before weight loss was apparent), decreased food intake, increased systemic fat utilization, and increased fecal lipid excretion in HFD-fed mice. ConclusionsCollectively, LDT409 represents a fatty acid mimetic that generates a uniquely favorable metabolic response for the treatment of multiple abnormalities including obesity, dyslipidemia, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, and diabetes. LDT409 is derived from a highly abundant natural product-based starting material and its development could be pursued as a therapeutic solution to the global metabolic health crisis.

EXPLORING THE EFFICACY OF CNSL-BASED BOTANICAL PESTICIDES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PESTS OF BHINDI (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS)

The consistent use of chemical pesticides over the years has led to various issues. To mitigate these problems, botanical insecticides have been used as a better alternative. One such botanical insecticide is cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL 20% EC), which contains a mixture of phenolic compounds. Under laboratory conditions, this insecticide was assessed against Sylepta derogata larvae in different concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1, along with a chemical control. At 5, 7, and 10 DAT, CNSL 1% was found to be the most effective treatment, with 90% mortality recorded. A probit analysis was conducted to determine the effective dose, which was found to be 1%. The CNSL 20% EC was modified to produce two combination products, EC1 and EC2, by substituting half of the active ingredient with neem oil and pongam oil respectively, without changing other ingredients and their proportion. The developed formulations were evaluated for product stability and emulsion properties. A pot culture experiment was conducted on bhindi crops once during the vegetative and reproductive phases. At 7 DAT, EC1 @ 1% and CNSL 20% EC @ 1% caused over 95% reduction of sucking pests such as Amrasca biguttula biguttula and Aphis gossypi compared to the control. However, CNSL 20% EC produced only a 76.48% reduction of the chewing pest S. derogata, whereas treatments with EC1 and EC2 showed over 80% reduction. Sucking pests were effectively reduced (by more than 90%) by the application of EC2 as well. It was concluded that the combination products EC1 and EC2 were more effective in controlling pests than CNSL alone.

Use of cashew nut shell liquid as biofuel blended in diesel: Optimisation of blends using additive acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE (361))

In this study, the feasibility of increasing the proportion of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL)-based biofuels in diesel was assessed. Biofuel–diesel blends with different percentages of CNSL were prepared, and their physical properties, including the density, viscosity, and heating value, were determined. B10 (CNSL/diesel = 10:90 v/v) satisfied the diesel specifications without preheating, whereas B20 (20:80 v/v) and B30 (30:70 v/v) met the specifications only after preheating to 60 and 80 °C, respectively. To avoid preheating B20 and B30, an acetone/butanol/ethanol (ABE) mixture (30:60:10 v/v) was added to the fuel blends to improve their flow characteristics. The blends with CNSL/ABE (361)/diesel ratios of 20:10:70 and 30:30:40 (v/v) exhibited properties comparable to those of diesel and remained stable for one month of storage. These fuel blends allow up to 30 vol% CNSL and 30 vol% ABE (361) to be incorporated into diesel and can be used as alternative fuels in diesel engines.

Effectiveness of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid as a Green Additive for Warm-Mix Asphalt

Effectiveness of Cashew Nut Shell Liquid as a Green Additive for Warm-Mix Asphalt

Sustainable, transparent, strong toughness, UV resistance, and anti-corrosion properties of cashew shell oil-based waterborne polyurethane network derived from phloretin and sorbitan monooleate-based siloxane

The increasingly severe energy shortage and growing environmental problems have accelerated the rapid development of sustainable polymer materials. Hereon, a novel method was proposed for the synthesis of cashew nut shell oil-based waterborne polyurethane (WPUs), which exhibited excellent toughness, transparency, water resistance, UV resistance and corrosion resistance. Specifically, the sorbitan monooleate-based siloxane (MSP) was prepared via a thiol-ene click chemistry reaction. Subsequently, the plant-based phloretin (PRT) and MSP were introduced as polyols into the skeleton of WPUs through the molecular structure design strategy. Series of high bio-based content (91 %) WPUs networks were obtained via pre-polymerization and self-emulsification methods. The properties of their dispersions and films were thoroughly investigated, and it was found that the addition of MSP and PRT enhanced the overall performance of WPUs film. For instance, there was a significant increase in Tg. Additionally, they exhibited a maximum tensile strength of 31.5 MPa and a maximum toughness of 53 MJ/m3, which were the most outstanding among all reported plant oil-based WPU systems so far, indicating excellent tear resistance. Interestingly, the water absorption rate of PSWPU-40 was reduced to 7.1 %, suggesting good water resistance, which resolved the contradiction between the mechanical properties and water resistance of the current plant oil-based WPU systems. The PSPWU films exhibited promising application prospects, exemplified by its ability to effectively shield the entire UV range. Furthermore, its coating demonstrated outstanding anti-corrosion properties with a maximum anticorrosion efficiency of 97.1 %. It could be attributed to the synergistic effect of a self-crosslinking structure, higher crosslinking density, a tighter network structure, and stronger intermolecular forces (H-bond). This work provided a meaningful guide for the application and development of high-performance bio-based WPU functional coatings.

Optimizing Activated Carbon Production from Waste Cashew Nut Shell with Zinc Chloride: A Box-Behnken Design and Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) Application

In this study, Response surface methodology (RSM) and innovative Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) approaches are applied to investigate the optimal process conditions of zinc chloride activated cashew nut production process. The effects of activation conditions (i.e. activation temperature, activation time, and impregnation ratio) on the achievable BET surface areas were studied with the aid of Box Behnken Design (BBD) and GMDH. Comparative analyses of RSM and GMDH-type neural models were further researched. During the process, the polynomial model equations developed were modified and fine-tuned to predict the highest BET surface area(s) using regression analysis and GMDH multi-layered iterative algorithm (MIA). Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed that the significant factor(s) were impregnation ratio, impregnation ratio product, and the 2-way interactions (activation temperature and impregnation ratio) for ZnCl2 activated cashew nut shell. The best activation conditions for producing highest BET surface area of 504 m2.g-1 was activation temperature (873K), activation time (60 min), and impregnation ratio (1.50).The proposed GMDH-type BET model was ascertained to be the best model with average correlation coefficient (R) and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.925 and 32.0 respectively. Sensitivity analysis conducted for GMDH-type neural network also revealed that the activation temperature and activation time with sensitivity values of 90.6% and 74.1% respectively were the most influential parameters in the basic (ZnCl2) activation process. The results of this study show that RSM and GMDH-type neural network could be applied as effective analytical tools for optimizing the ZCNS (zinc chloride-activated cashew nut shells) manufacturing process.

Isolation of Cardanol Fractions from Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL): A Sustainable Approach

Exploring sustainable approaches to replace petroleum-based chemicals is an ongoing challenge in reducing the carbon footprint. Due to the complexity and percentage variation in nature-generated molecules, which further varies based on geographical origin and the purification protocol adopted, a better isolation strategy for individual components is required. Agrowaste from the cashew industry generates phenolic lipid (cardanol)-rich cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) and has recently shown extensive commercial utility. Cardanol naturally exists as a mixture of three structurally different components with C15-alkylene chains: monoene, diene, and triene. The separation of these three fractions has been a bottleneck and is crucial for certain structural designs and reproducibility. Herein, we describe the gram-scale purification of cardanol into each component using flash column chromatography within the sustainability framework. The solvent used for elution is recovered and reused after each stage (up to 82%), making it a cost-effective and sustainable purification strategy. This simple purification technique replaces the alternative high-temperature vacuum distillation, which requires substantial energy consumption and poses vacuum fluctuation and maintenance challenges. Three components (monoene 42%, diene 22%, and triene 36%) were isolated with good purity and were fully characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, GC-MS, HPLC, and FTIR spectroscopy. The present work demonstrates that greener and simpler strategies pave the way for the isolation of constituents from nature-sourced biochemicals and unleash the potential of CNSL-derived fractions for high-end applications.