Co-pyrolysis of corn stalk and high-density polyethylene with emphasis on the fibrous tissue difference on thermal behavior and kinetics.

The thermal properties of various corn stalk tissues (including stem, husk, ear, cob, and leaf), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and their blends were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis under a nitrogen atmosphere. The results indicate that the thermal decomposition process of corn stalk tissue/HDPE mixtures is delayed with an increasing heating rate, regardless of the tissue type. Besides, the structural differences among various corn stalk tissues significantly influence their thermal behavior, product distribution, and co-pyrolysis kinetics with HDPE.

Recycling the sediment of cotton spinning effluent for rigid polyurethane foams.

Sediment from the effluent of cotton spinning industry was valorized as the renewable bio-based polyols substitute for the rigid polyurethane (RPUFs), targeting to generate the economic and environmental benefits. Before reaction with the isocyanate, the sediment was functionalized by hydroxymethylation, in order to increase the density of the active hydroxyl groups for higher reactivity. The structural characterization results of the functionalized sediment indicated the material exhibited narrow molecular weight distribution, high hydroxyl groups content, and highly aromatic skeleton, which can be qualified as the renewable polyols for the RPUFs.