Blended Materials Research Articles

Scientific advances regarding the effect of carbonated alkaline waste materials on pozzolanic reactivity

Using alkaline waste materials as biomass ash (BA), Recycled Concrete Fines (RCF) from constructions and demolition waste (CDW) and ladle furnace slags (LFS), as CO2 massive sinks worldwide through the generation of new potential SCM by Accelerated Carbonation Technologies to reduce the cement industry's carbon footprint is increasingly attracting attention for its environmental benefits and the materials' improved performance in blended cement matrices. This paper employs characterization and identification techniques (XRF, XRD–Rietveld, SEM/EDX, BET, TG/DTG, FTIR, NMR) to analyse the effect of accelerated carbonation of white ladle furnace slag, siliceous construction and demolition waste and biomass ash on those materials' physical and mineralogical properties, their chemical reactivity and their pozzolan/lime systems' mineralogical phases. The results show that although behaviour differs depending on the carbonated waste materials' alkalinity, all three present notable increases in BET surface area (7–17.5 m2/g) and substantially altered potentially carbonatable mineralogical phases (e.g. portlandite, Ca-olivine, periclase, hydrated cement phases), which mostly transition towards calcite, due to the CO2 uptake. Thermodynamic modelling of the pozzolanic reaction indicates that CSH/C(A)SH) gels are the most stable phases, followed by ettringite, C4AH13 and C4AcH12.

An Analysis of Nanoparticles in Composite Materials

A blend of various materials with nano-scale dimensions is called a nanocomposite. Combining the qualities of various materials to create a unique nanomaterial with improved and increased chemical and physical capabilities is the goal of creating nanocomposites. The characteristics of nanocomposites and raw materials are very different. On comparing nanocomposites to standard composite materials, a big surface area and a remarkable surface-to-volume ratio are seen. Environmental professionals have taken an interest in these composite materials, particularly in relation to their ability to remove pesticides from various samples. This is mostly due to the many special qualities that the nanomaterials which help with pesticide remediation offer. The necessity of composite materials above conventional materials is demonstrated by this study. Composite parts are produced in several industries using various moulding techniques. The main benefits of composites are their relative stiffness, strength and lightweight. The physical characteristics, material qualities, design, tooling, inspection and repair of composites are its fundamental ideas. Strong, lightweight materials are crucial for military vehicles like rockets, helicopters and aeroplanes. In terms of mechanical qualities, the metallic components that had been utilised until that point undoubtedly performed the job, but their large weight was prohibitive. The polymer industry was expanding rapidly and aimed to broaden the market for plastics to include a wider range of applications. A potential remedy was provided by the introduction of novel, lightweight polymers from research and development facilities.

Analysis and Optimization of the Noise Reduction Performance of Sound-Absorbing Materials in Complex Environments

The acoustic performance of sound barrier absorption materials utilized in substations is subject to variations due to factors such as sandstorms, corrosion, and rainfall. In this study, a model of the absorbing material was developed based on the Delany–Bazley model using COMSOL simulation software, version 5.6. The influence of porosity and material thickness on the absorption coefficient was analyzed, and the patterns of change were summarized. The results indicated that porosity significantly affected the entire analysis frequency range, while material thickness had a more pronounced impact in the low-frequency range. Building upon these findings, a blended fiber absorption material was formulated through research efforts. Experimental results demonstrated that the aluminum fiber diameter measured 30 microns, while the aramid fiber diameter was 12 microns; additionally, their mass ratio was established at 3:1. The material thickness was determined to be 10 cm with a face density of 2500 g/m2, resulting in optimal absorption performance. Durability tests revealed that this material could sustain effective acoustic performance across various complex environments. Finally, simulations and analyses regarding noise reduction effects were conducted within actual application scenarios; it was found that the noise reduction capability of the blended fiber sound barrier absorption material exceeded that of glass wool by 4.78 dB.

The Flexural Strength and the Effect of the Autoclave Sterilization of Polypropylene/Natural Rubber Blended Materials.

Background: Rubber dam clamps are used extensively in dentistry, especially during root canal treatment. However, existing rubber dam clamps have several drawbacks, including discomfort and potential damage to vital tissue in the oral cavity. To address these existing issues, a new rubber dam clamp should be developed. The aim of this study was to identify the optimum ratios of polypropylene and natural rubber (PP/NR) for a customized rubber dam clamp in dentistry. This study was focused on the flexural strength of PP/NR in various ratios. Moreover, the impact of autoclave sterilization was also considered. Methods: Six proportions of PP/NR blends (100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40 and 50/50) were prepared and assessed for flexural strength using a three-point bending test. After this test, the PP/NR blends with 100/0, 90/10 and 80/20 ratios were selected and underwent autoclave sterilization for 1, 5 and 10 cycles. Eventually, the flexural strength testing was repeated and investigated. An analysis of variance and Tukey's test were used to evaluate the flexural strength of various PP/NR blends before autoclave sterilization at p < 0.05. An analysis of variance and Dunnett's T3 test were used to evaluate the flexural strength of selected PP/NR blends before and after autoclave sterilization at p < 0.05. Results: The results revealed that the flexural strength of PP/NR blended materials showed a statistically significant difference in every group of this study. The autoclave sterilization test revealed that the flexural strength of the PP/NR 90/10 and 80/20 ratios was significantly increased after sterilization for 1, 5 and 10 cycles. In addition, the PP/NR 90/10 ratio was also comparable to the 100/0 ratio. The lower NR content in PP/NR blends resulted in significantly higher flexural strength, and autoclave sterilization had an effect on this property. Conclusions: This study suggested that the PP/NR blend with a 90/10 ratio might be considered as an alternative material for developing rubber dam clamps.

Utilization of coalmine overburden-furnace slag and fly ash mixed cement-treated subbase/base course material for sustainable flexible pavements: mechanical performance and environmental impact.

The scarcity of conventional aggregates with tremendous growth in highway construction and the indiscriminate dumping of industrial waste materials in precious landfills has become a huge global concern. This study is aimed at utilizing wastes from various industries, including coalmine overburden (OB) dump, basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag, and fly ash to produce suitable and sustainable cement-treated subbase/base course layers (CBSB/CTB) for flexible pavement construction. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the composition of the blended material considering unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and Poisson's ratio. Results demonstrated that 50% OB dump, 40% slag, 5% fly ash, and 5% cement achieved a 7-day UCS of 4.84MPa and Poisson's ratio of 0.25, in line with IRC:37-2018 guidelines. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) analysis confirmed the presence of ettringite crystals, calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H), and calcium-aluminosilicate-hydrate (C-A-S-H) gels which are the source of strength development in the blend. Further, a soaked California bearing ratio (CBR) of 136.08% and flexural strength of 2.06MPa after 7days and 28days of curing, respectively, demonstrates the overall strength of the stabilized waste. Approximately 4% weight loss was observed after wet-dry durability tests, indicating exceptional performance of the optimal blend in inclement weather conditions. Furthermore, the environmental impact of the blended material was studied through a leaching study. Fly ash had a high zinc (Zn) level, while BOF slag showed a rich concentrationof chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) in the acid digestion test. In spite of this, the toxicity characteristics leaching procedure (TCLP) test indicated that the levels of heavy metals that leached from the stabilized material stayed considerably below the permissible limits set forth in Indian Standard, IS:10500 (2012). Finally, cost analysis showed a 51.6% reduction in construction cost with cement-treated industrial wastes instead of granular base/subbase made with conventional aggregates. The study recommends the suitability of the stabilized waste material as an alternate construction material for large-scale field applications, which could encourage the construction of flexible pavements that are environmentally benign, economical, and sustainable.

University instructors’ and students’ perceptions of blended learning and perceived determinant factors

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of instructors and students towards blended learning and perceived determinant factors at Jimma University. A concurrent mixed-methods research design was used. Data were collected from 145 students and 70 instructors by using questionnaires and interviews. The findings showed that both instructors and students confirmed the lack of facilities, lack of technological knowledge, and instructors’ lack of technological pedagogical knowledge. On the other hand, both instructors and students believed that the BL approach had a positive impact on students learning. In addition, the major challenges identified were teachers’ increasing workload, lack of access to internet connections, non-compliance of learners’ educational backgrounds to permit effective use of BL, non-suitability of the approach for all learning styles, slow internet connectivity, lack of organization of blended learning materials, and lack of IT knowledge. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that the concerned university officials give thoughtful attention to the provision of necessary facilities to implement BL and design appropriate training and capacity-building programs for university instructors and students to increase students' and instructors’ knowledge and skills in technology use. Keywords: Blended learning; challenges; determinant factors; instructors; perceptions

Optimization of Barrier Properties of PLA/PBAT Polymers in Biodegradable Materials

AbstractDespite its popularity as a bio‐based biodegradable material, polylactic acid (PLA) has a number of shortcomings. Nevertheless, the combination of poly(butylene adipate co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) and thermoplastic starch (TPS) to enhance the mechanical properties of PLA was achieved through the utilisation of PLA/PBAT/TPS ternary composites, which were created through the calendering method. These composites exhibit advantageous characteristics, including high ductility, enhanced toughness, and biodegradability. The results of the water vapour permeability test indicate that the proportion of the material composition exhibiting the lowest value of water vapour permeability is 2.0571 g/m²·24h. The results of the water vapour transmission test demonstrate that the material generated by the composition ratio has the lowest water vapour transmission, indicating that the composite material blending effect is superior. The majority of current research employs nanocellulose as a substrate in PLA, with a paucity of studies investigating its use in PLA/PBAT/TPS composites. These composites are modified due to the notable divergence of nanocellulose from the hydrophobicity of the composite and its susceptibility to decomposition at elevated temperatures. This study establishes a foundation for future research in this field.

Vertical Response of Stress Transmission Through Sand–Tire Mixture Under Impact

This study evaluates the vertical stress transmission through a sand–tire mixture layer under impact, focusing on this innovative blended material that can impact underground structures such as tunnels or pipelines. By conducting consolidated undrained triaxial tests, the friction angle (φ) of the sand–tire mixture was determined, ranging from 29° for pure tire to 41° for pure sand. The vertical stress factor (α), representing the ratio of response load to applied load, was found to decrease significantly with increased tire content, with a reduction of up to 50% for mixtures containing 20% tire. Additionally, the vertical stress response decreased from 35 kPa for pure sand to as low as 15 kPa for mixtures with a high tire content under a consistent applied load of 65 kPa. This study not only presents a methodological advancement in analyzing sand–tire mixtures under dynamic loads but also suggests a sustainable approach to utilizing waste tire material in civil engineering projects, thereby contributing to environmental conservation and improved material performance in geotechnical applications.

Study on Phase Change Materials' Heat Transfer Characteristics of Medium Temperature Solar Energy Collection System.

Within the next five years, renewable energy is expected to account for approximately 80% of the new global power generation capacity, with solar power contributing to more than half of this growth. However, the intermittent nature of solar energy remains a significant challenge to fully realizing its potential. Thus, efficient energy storage is crucial for optimizing the effectiveness and dependability of renewable energy. Phase-change materials (PCMs) can play an important role in solar energy storage due to their low cost and high volumetric energy storage density. The low thermal conductivity of PCMs restricts their use for energy storage, despite their immense potential. Hence, the primary goal of this study is to experimentally investigate the energy storage capacity of two blended phase-change materials (paraffin and barium hydroxide octahydrate) through integration with a medium-temperature solar heat collection system. The experimental findings reveal that the blended PCMs possess the highest cumulative charge fraction (0.59), energy capacity, and low energy loss compared to each PCM alone. Furthermore, the phase change storage tank achieves higher heat storage (27%) and exergy storage efficiency (18%) compared to the stored tank water without any PCMs. The blended PCMs enhanced their performance, exhibiting improved interaction and excellent thermal storage properties across a range of temperatures, offering an opportunity for the design of an energy-efficient, low-cost storage system.

Investigating the Influence of Protic Ionic Liquid on the Triboelectrical Properties of Trimethylolpropane Trioleate (TMPO)

Under triboelectric conditions, where tribocharging accelerates lubrication failure, lubricants with enhanced electrical properties are essential. Trimethylolpropane Trioleate (TMPO) oil, derived from esters that possess good lubricating properties and wear performance but is lacking in terms of electrical properties which can be further improved when blended with Ionic Liquid. This study blends 1 – 5 wt% of Protic Ionic Liquid (PIL) into TMPO and evaluate the frictional and wear performances of the blends under 1 – 2 A current conditions to understand the behaviour towards the tribological properties of different blends of material. Electric currents ranging around 1 – 2 A are implemented to the custom-designed ball-on-disc tribometer, with a constant 4.5 V voltage supply and the static resistance are measured. Mechanical wear properties are observed after the tribological test with different samples. The frictional properties of all concentrations of PIL in TMPO showed significant frictional improvements with 1%wt PIL showed 53% better results indicating improvements in frictional properties and wear performance under 2A current conditions, owing to its lowest film resistivity of 0.14 mΩ.

Fresh and Hardened Properties of Alkali-Activated POFA-GGBFS Pastes Cured in Ambient Temperature – An Initial Mix Design

Weak soils are characterised by their high compressibility and low shear strength, which requires stabilisation to improve their compaction and strength characteristics before being used for construction projects. Recent trends in soil stabilisation show an increased interest in the application of waste-derived geopolymers as low-carbon materials to address the carbon emission problem related to cement production. This paper presents the preliminary findings of using Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) binary blends as geopolymer precursor materials. These binary waste material blends were activated using alkaline solutions, namely Sodium Hydroxide (NH) and Sodium Silicate (NS), to synthesise geopolymers at ambient temperatures. Three main factors were considered for the optimisation of the geopolymer mix design, as recommended by past research: alkali equivalent (8-11.5%), activator modulus (0-0.7), and slag replacement (fixed at 30%). Alkali equivalent and activator modulus parameters were varied and tested to establish its initial and final setting times, workability and strength properties, while the slag replacement percentage was set at 30%. This study aimed to determine the most influential parameters to produce the geopolymer material with the highest compressive strength and satisfactory setting times and workability. Single-source alkali activators (NH only) used on POFA-GGBFS produced specimens with smaller flow diameters, longer initial and final setting times, and lower compressive strength than specimens activated with NH and NS. Geopolymer specimens synthesised with NH and NS produce stiffer compounds possessing higher compressive strength values and explosive-type failure modes due to their higher silica content. At ambient temperatures, TM-Mix 2 (7% alkali equivalent and 0.7 activator modulus) produced the highest compressive strength value of 67.3 MPa at 28 days curing, flow diameter of 227 mm, with the initial and final setting time of 25 minutes and 45 minutes, respectively. Consequently, the results show that the preliminary POFA-GGBFS geopolymer mix design could produce sustainably sourced geopolymer compounds with adequate strength and acceptable setting time and workability. This study is part of a current investigation to further optimise the POFA-GGBFS mix design for the purpose of weak soil stabilisation.

Valorization and investigation of volcanic ash as an aggregate building brick component

Abstract The devastating series of Taal volcanic eruptions from 2020 to 2022 covered several locations in the Philippines under a thick layer of ashes, destroying properties and halting business operations. In response, the Biñan City Government in Laguna, Philippines, proposed the development of eco-friendly bricks by leveraging the pervasive amounts of spewed volcanic ash as part of its solid waste management program. The materials recovery facility of the city produced several brick blends of combined Taal volcanic ash, cement mortar, and plastic waste materials. This study investigates the potential of Taal volcanic ash as an aggregate building brick component by measuring the compressive strength of the formulated bricks. With different blends of aggregate components, the bricks were tested for their durability based on the ASTM C67/C67M-20 standard after curing between 15 to 30 days. Per the ASTM C62-17 standard, all brick blends that were cured for 30 days including those with volcanic ash and plastic waste as aggregate components fall under the negligible weathering grade. This indicates that these bricks will be durable in building and structural applications where the average compressive strength requirement for bricks is at least 10.3 MPa. A regression model was also fitted with an adjusted r 2 value of 0.9413 and a p-value of &lt; 2.2 × 10−16 using the experimental data.

Effect Of Post-Curing Treatment Temperature On The Tensile Strength And Impact Resistance Of Coconut Fiber-Reinforced Polyester Composites

Composite material is an engineered material created by combining two or more materials to produce enhanced mechanical properties compared to its constituent materials. This study focuses on natural fiber composites using coconut fiber as reinforcement with a polyester matrix. Post-curing treatment is applied to improve the mechanical strength of the composite. Post-curing is a heating process at a specific temperature aimed at enhancing the properties of the composite. The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of post-curing temperature on the impact strength of polyester-coconut fiber composites. The specimens were fabricated using the mixing method for material blending and hand lay-up for composite formation, following the standards of ASTM D638-02 Type I and ASTM D256 for impact testing. The specimens were heated in an oven at various temperatures: non-post curing, 110°C, 120°C, and 130°C, each for one hour. Impact testing was conducted using a Mory Testing Machine. The results showed that the composite with a post-curing temperature of 120°C achieved optimum tensile strength of 9.2 N/mm² and impact strength of 0.1663 J/mm². Based on these findings, the polyester-coconut fiber composite can be used as material for particleboard type 100 and meets the SNI 03-2105- 1996 standards for tensile and impact strength. Additionally, this composite has the potential to be used as an alternative material for manufacturing SNI-standard helmet

Extrusion-Cooking Aspects and Physical Characteristics of Snacks Pellets with Addition of Selected Plant Pomace

The article presents the possibilities of using by-products from the agri-food industry in the form of fruit and vegetable pomace as a supplementary ingredient to extruded food products in the form of snack pellets. In the recipe based on potato starch, pomace from apples, chokeberries, pumpkin, nigella seed and flaxseed were added in amounts of 10%, 20% and 30%. The prepared raw material blends were processed using a single-screw extruder-cooker with a plastification system L/D = 20 and variable screw speed. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of pomace addition on the extrusion-cooking process, i.e., efficiency and energy consumption, as well as on selected physical properties of the obtained food pellets, such as expansion index, bulk density and durability. The addition of selected pomace influenced the extrusion-cooking process and the physical properties of the extrudates. A percentage contribution ranging from 10 to 20% can optimize the extrusion-cooking process and improve the quality characteristics of the final product, while simultaneously utilizing by-products from the agri-food industry and reducing their negative environmental impact.

Comprehensive Investigation into the Impact of Degradation of Recycled Polyethylene and Recycled Polypropylene on the Thermo-Mechanical Characteristics and Thermal Stability of Blends.

The impact of degradation on plastics is a critical factor influencing their properties and behavior, particularly evident in polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) and their blends. However, the effect of photoaging and thermal degradation, specifically within recycled polyethylene (rPE) and recycled polypropylene (rPP), on the thermo-mechanical and thermostability aspects of these blends remains unexplored. To address this gap, a range of materials, including virgin polyethylene (vPE), recycled polyethylene (rPE), virgin polypropylene (vPP), recycled polypropylene (rPP), and their blends with different ratios, were comprehensively investigated. Through a systematic assessment encompassing variables such as melting flow index (MFI), functional groups, mechanical traits, crystallization behavior, microscopic morphology, and thermostability, it was found that thermo-oxidative degradation generated hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups in rPE and rPP. Optimal mechanical properties were achieved with a 6:4 mass ratio of rPE to rPP, as validated by FTIR spectroscopy and microscopic morphology. By establishing the chemical model, the changes in the system with an rPE-rPP ratio of 6:4 and 8:2 were monitored by the molecular simulation method. When the rPE-rPP ratio was 6:4, the system's energy was lower, and the number of hydrogen bonds was higher, which also confirmed the above experimental results. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed an increased crystallization temperature in rPE, a reduced crystallization peak area in rPP, and a diminished crystallization capacity in rPE/rPP blends, with rPP exerting a pronounced influence. This study plays a pivotal role in enhancing recycling efficiency and reducing production costs for waste plastics, especially rPE and rPP-the primary components of plastic waste. By uncovering insights into the degradation effects and material behaviors, our research offers practical pathways for more sustainable waste management. This approach facilitates the optimal utilization of the respective performance characteristics of rPE and rPP, enabling the development of highly cost-effective rPE/rPP blend materials and promoting the efficient reuse of waste materials.

Electrical Conductivity, Thermo-Mechanical Properties, and Cytotoxicity of Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(Styrene Sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/Sulfonated Polyurethane Blends.

Electrically conductive polymeric materials have recently garnered significant interest from researchers due to their potential applications in the biomedical field, including medical implants, tissue engineering, flexible electronic devices, and biosensors. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is considered the most successful conducting polymer due to its higher electrical conductivity and chemical stability, but it suffers from limited solubility in common organic solvents, poor mechanical properties, and low biocompatibility. An area of tremendous interest is in combining PEDOT:PSS with another polymer to form a blend or composite material in order to access the beneficial properties of both materials. However, the hydrophilic nature of PEDOT:PSS makes it difficult to produce composites with non-polar polymers. In order to overcome these problems, we have specifically designed and synthesized two new sulfonated polyurethanes (PUS) with high sulfonic acid functionality. The two polyurethanes, one water-soluble (PUS1) and one water-insoluble (PUS2), were used to make blends with two commercially available PEDOT:PSS formulations (CleviosTM FET and PH1000). Solvent cast films on glass substrates were made from water-soluble PEDOT:PSS/PUS1 blends while free-standing films of PEDOT:PSS/PUS2 blends were fabricated by compression-moulding. Ethylene glycol was used as conductivity enhancer, which showed an increase in the conductivity by several orders of magnitude in most of the compositions investigated. The highest conductivity of 438 S cm-1 was achieved for the blend with 80 wt% of PEDOT:PSS (PH1000) in PUS1.

Growth Conditions and Interfacial Misfit Array in SnTe (111) Films Grown on InP (111)A Substrates by Molecular Beam Epitaxy.

Tin telluride (SnTe) is an IV-VI semiconductor with a topological crystalline insulator band structure, high thermoelectric performance, and in-plane ferroelectricity. Despite its many applications, there has been little work focused on understanding the growth mechanisms of SnTe thin films. In this manuscript, we investigate the molecular beam epitaxy synthesis of SnTe (111) thin films on InP (111)A substrates. We explore the effect of substrate temperature, Te/Sn flux ratio, and growth rate on the film quality. Using a substrate temperature of 340 °C, a Te/Sn flux ratio of 3, and a growth rate of 0.48 Å/s, fully coalesced and single crystalline SnTe (111) epitaxial layers with X-ray rocking curve full-width-at-half-maxima of 0.09° and root-mean-square surface roughness as low as 0.2 nm have been obtained. Despite the 7.5% lattice mismatch between the SnTe (111) film and the InP (111)A substrate, reciprocal space mapping indicates that the 15 nm SnTe layer is fully relaxed. We show that a periodic interfacial misfit (IMF) dislocation array forms at the SnTe/InP heterointerface, where each IMF dislocation is separated by 14 InP lattice sites/13 SnTe lattice sites, providing rapid strain relaxation and yielding the high quality SnTe layer. This is the first report of an IMF array forming in a rock-salt on zinc-blende material system and at an IV-VI on III-V heterointerface, and highlights the potential for SnTe as a buffer layer for epitaxial telluride film growth. This work represents an important milestone in enabling the heterointegration between IV-VI and III-V semiconductors to create multifunctional devices.

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT PACKAGING MATERIALS ON THE KEEPING QUALITY OF KULIKULI

The effects of different packaging materials: plastic material, aluminium foil, glass material, low density polyethylene bag (LDPB) and a blend of plastic materials and LDPB on the keeping quality of kulikuli was studied. The quality indices studied were peroxide value, free fatty acid, saponification value and sensory attributes using standard methods. The results of the study showed that at the end of first week of storage, stored snacks exhibited different variabilities in the quality parameters measured. Snacks stored in foil paper and in a blend of plastic and LDPB had significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower levels of quality indices measured. However, snacks stored in glass material and LDPB had higher values. At the end of the third week of storage, snack samples showed increased fatty acids, peroxide and saponification values which ranged from 8.97 – 13.46 mg/100 g, 12.40 – 13.40 meqO2/kg 84.15 – 44.80 mg KOH/g, respectively. Snacks stored in foil paper and in a blend of plastic and LDPB mantained lower levels of quality indices measured. Similarly, there were steady increase in free fatty acid, peroxide and saponification values of the snack samples with increasing storage time up to the seventh week of storage. Therefore, it can be deduced from this study that snacks stored in a blend of plastic and LDPB and foil paper alone up to three weeks maintained good product quality based on indices measured.

Co‐Pyrolysis and Pyrolysis of Corn‐Cob Biomass and Waste Plastic: Comprehensive Study Based on Kinetic and Thermodynamic Approach

AbstractThis study focuses on the utilization of agro‐residual corn‐cob biomass, waste plastic and the combination of both for pyrolysis reaction using thermal analysis. Circular bioeconomy is assured by closing all the resource materials loops through co‐pyrolysis process. The conversion profiles of corn cob pyrolysis at various heating rates reveal a three‐stage decomposition process, and plastic waste exhibits single stage degradation. Due to the interaction between the blended materials, additional degradation peaks arise during the co‐pyrolysis of waste plastic (PET bottles) and biomass (corn cobs). The apparent activation energy fluctuates in the range of 120–260 kJ/mol with the conversion, according to Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger‐Akahira‐Sunose (KAS) kinetic methods. Notably, for co‐pyrolysis the apparent activation energy is lower (168 kJ/mol using FWO) than the individual biomass (179 kJ/mol using FWO) and plastic (175 kJ/mol using FWO), suggesting a positive synergistic effect during charring. The liquid crude and char product analysis from corn cob pyorlysis through FTIR and XRD confirms the application of the products in energy and chemical processes. The results obtained in this study can be utilized for co‐pyrolysis reactor analysis specifically using waste plastic bottles that are accumulating in the environment.

Impact of Hot-Melt Extrusion on Glibenclamide's Physical and Chemical States and Dissolution Behavior: Case Studies with Three Polymer Blend Matrices.

This research work dives into the complexity of hot-melt extrusion (HME) and its influence on drug stability, focusing on solid dispersions containing 30% of glibenclamide and three 50:50 polymer blends. The polymers used in the study are Ethocel Standard 10 Premium, Kollidon SR and Affinisol HPMC HME 4M. Glibenclamide solid dispersions are characterized using thermal analyses (thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry), X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. This study reveals the transformation of glibenclamide into impurity A during the HME process using mass spectrometry and TGA. Thus, it enables the quantification of the extent of degradation. Furthermore, this work shows how polymer-polymer blend matrices exert an impact on process parameters, the active pharmaceutical ingredient's physical state, and drug release behavior. In vitro dissolution studies show that the polymeric matrices investigated provide extended drug release (over 24 h), mainly dictated by the polymer's chemical nature. This paper highlights how glibenclamide is degraded during HME and how polymer selection crucially affects the sustained release dynamics.