Bio-Based Phosphate-Containing Polyester for Improvement of Fire Reaction in Wooden Particleboard.

A new phosphate-containing bio-polyester based on glycerol and citric acid was synthesized and evaluated as fire-retardant (FR) in wooden particleboards. Phosphorus pentoxide was used to first introduce phosphate esters in the glycerol followed by esterification with citric acid to produce the bio-polyester. The phosphorylated products were characterized by ATR-FTIR, H-NMR and TGA-FTIR.

Morphological Analysis of Several Bamboo Species with Potential Structural Applications.

Bamboo constitutes a family of plants that are very promising and interesting as renewable materials for both large and small structure construction. To be used as an alternative to traditional materials; the understanding of its morphology and mechanical behavior is of crucial importance. As the distribution of fibers and vascular bundles differs for each type of bamboo; several bamboo types have been characterized: Phyllostachys aurea (PA), Arundinaria amabilis (AA) and (DS).

Morphology and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene brassylate)/cellulose nanocrystal composites.

Poly(ethylene brassylate), a novel inexpensive biodegradable polyester, has been reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) with the aim of improving its thermal stability and mechanical properties. The composites have been characterized through calorimetry, tensile tests, thermogravimetry and electron microscopy. The addition of small amounts of CNCs improves both the stiffness and the ductility of the composites, suggesting the existence of some compatibilizing effect.