Utilization Of Renewable Materials Research Articles

Pro-Environmental Transformation of Cultural Institutions through Sustainable Infrastructural Projects: A Case Study of Poznan

The aim of the article is to elucidate pro-environmental solutions and activities, consonant with the tenets of sustainability and enduring developmental paradigms, implemented within the infrastructural purview of the cultural institutions situated in Poznan—a municipality located in western Poland. A diagnostic scrutiny was executed encompassing the entirety of municipal cultural entities, constituting a cumulative assemblage of 15 establishments, all of which were extended invitations to participate in this investigation. Interrogations were directed towards ascertaining their strategic, environmentally conscientious determinations vis à vis the construction, renovation, or modernization of edifices during the temporal expanse of 2021 and 2022. Ultimately, responses germane to the posed inquiries were proffered by 7 institutions, as the remaining entities refrained from financial investments during the stipulated timeframe. The discerned outcomes illuminate the manifold pro-environmental measures and endeavors embraced by these institutions within the domain of infrastructural initiatives. These initiatives pertain to ecological considerations, safeguarding the natural milieu, and fortifying sustainability, encompassing facets such as energy and water conservation, the abatement of water and air contaminants, recycling endeavors, the utilization of renewable materials, the afforestation of vicinities, and the mitigation of the ostensibly designated “heat island effect”, among sundry others. These initiatives are not only significant for the current ecological situation worldwide, but they also appear to be crucial for the better future of the next generations.

Sustainable Carbon Materials toward Emerging Applications.

It is desirable for a sustainable society that the production and utilization of renewable materials are net-zero in terms of carbon emissions. Carbon materials with emerging applications in CO2 utilization, renewable energy storage and conversion, and biomedicine have attracted much attention both academically and industrially. However, the preparation process of some new carbon materials suffers from energy consumption and environmental pollution issues. Therefore, the development of low-cost, scalable, industrially and economically attractive, sustainable carbon material preparation methods are required. In this regard, the use of biomass and its derivatives as a precursor of carbon materials is a major feature of sustainability. Recent advances in the synthetic strategy of sustainable carbon materials and their emerging applications are summarized in this short review. Emphasis is made on the discussion of the original intentions and various sustainable strategies for producing sustainable carbon materials. This review provides basic insights and significant guidelines for the further design of sustainable carbon materials and their emerging applications in catalysis and the biomedical field.

Toward eco-efficient production of natural nanofibers from industrial residue: Eco-design and quality assessment

Conversion of bio-based industrial residues into high value-added products such as natural nanofibers is advantageous from an environmental and economic perspective, promoting resource efficiency along with the utilization of renewable materials. However, in order to employ the benefits of the raw material; its eco-efficient production should further be developed. Within this context, eco-design optimization through life cycle assessment (LCA) combined with life cycle costing (LCC) were applied to target eco-efficient production of natural nanofibers from carrot residue, along with quality assessment. The initial production steps included pretreatment combined mechanical nanofibrillation via ultrafine grinding, where the largest contributors to the environmental impact were identified as chemicals and energy. These were targeted by omitting the alkali pretreatment step and instead applying direct bleaching prior to nanofibrillation. After eco-design optimization, the yield increased while the energy, chemical, and water use significantly decreased. Therefore, a reduced environmental impact of more than 75% each for carbon footprint, freshwater ecotoxicity, and human toxicity was shown, along with a cost reduction of more than 50%. The use of carrot residue displayed an efficient conversion into natural nanofibers that was further promoted with the use of eco-design, yet with sustained functionality and nanoscaled dimensions, thus promoting resource-efficiency and natural nanofiber implementation in a wide range of promising bio-based applications.

A Green Approach for Preparing High-Loaded Sepiolite/Polymer Biocomposites.

Global industry is showing a great interest in the field of sustainability owing to the increased attention for ecological safety and utilization of renewable materials. For the scientific community, the challenge lies in the identification of greener synthetic approaches for reducing the environmental impact. In this context, we propose the preparation of novel biocomposites consisting of natural rubber latex (NRL) and sepiolite (Sep) fibers through the latex compounding technique (LCT), an ecofriendly approach where the filler is directly mixed with a stable elastomer colloid. This strategy favors a homogeneous dispersion of hydrophilic Sep fibers in the rubber matrix, allowing the production of high-loaded sepiolite/natural rubber (Sep/NR) without the use of surfactants. The main physicochemical parameters which control Sep aggregation processes in the aqueous medium were comprehensively investigated and a flocculation mechanism was proposed. The uniform Sep distribution in the rubber matrix, characteristic of the proposed LCT, and the percolative filler network improved the mechanical performances of Sep/NR biocomposites in comparison to those of analogous materials prepared by conventional melt-mixing. These outcomes indicate the suitability of the adopted sustainable procedure for the production of high-loaded clay–rubber nanocomposites with remarkable mechanical features.

Study on effect of euphorbia coagulum on physico-mechanical and fire retardant properties of polyester-banana fiber composite

Present study is focused on the utilization of coagulum of euphorbia as binder in polyester banana fiber composite. Euphorbia coagulum (dried latex) is rich in resinous mass (60-80%), which are terpenes and polyisoprene (10-20%). Effect of varying percentage of coagulum content on various physico-mechanical and fire properties of polyesterbanana fiber composites has been studied. Since banana fiber is sensitive to water due to presence of polar group, banana composite undergoes delamination and deterioration under humid condition. Alkali treated banana fiber in the polyester banana fiber composite results in improvement in overall mechanical properties and reduction in water absorption. The best physico-mechanical properties have been achieved on replacing 40% of polyester resin by coagulum. An increase of 50% in bending strength, 30% bending modulus and 45% impact strength as well as 68% decrease in water absorption was observed. Incorporation of coagulum in polyester banana fiber composite enhanced limiting oxygen index from 18 to 21% with the reduction of smoke density. The developed composite material can be utilized for the partition board, particle board etc. This study presents the possibility of utilization of renewable materials for environmental friendly composite development as well as to find out alternative feedstock for petroleum products.

Biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates: Current research and development

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as an attractive biopolymer with a wide range of applications have been extensively studied. Many new strategies have been employed to effectively and economically produce PHAs. This mini-review mainly focuses on the research and development of new PHAs-producing strains, utilization of renewable materials or industrial wastes, and high cell density culture technologies for PHAs production developed in recent years. The status of PHAs mass production is also introduced here.

Biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates: Current research and development

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as an attractive biopolymer with a wide range of applications have been extensively studied. Many new strategies have been employed to effectively and economically produce PHAs. This mini-review mainly focuses on the research and development of new PHAs-producing strains, utilization of renewable materials or industrial wastes, and high cell density culture technologies for PHAs production developed in recent years. The status of PHAs mass production is also introduced here.