Effect of the Molecular Structure of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (P(3HB-3HV)) Produced from Mixed Bacterial Cultures on Its Crystallization and Mechanical Properties.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (P(3HB-3HV)) copolymer's properties depend on (i) the molar fraction of comonomers, (ii) the overall molar mass, and (ii) the chemical compositional distribution. This work aims at providing a better understanding of the effect of the P(3HB-3HV) molecular structure, produced from mixed cultures and waste feedstock, on copolymer crystallization and tensile properties. Conventional biopolymer characterization methods (differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and polarized optical microscopy) were coupled to both classical one-dimensional (H and C) and advanced two-dimensional (diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) and H/C heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC)) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy techniques.

Fine Cellulosic Materials Produced from Chemical Pulp: the Combined Effect of Morphology and Rate of Addition on Paper Properties.

Among bio-based reinforcement additives for paper existing on the market, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) turned out to be a promising material, showing outstanding potential in composites science. Its relevance in papermaking as a new family of paper components was suggested more recently. There remains a number of constraints limiting the promotion of their use in papermaking, mostly related to their high cost and effect on dewatering resistance.

New Insights on Wood Dimensional Stability Influenced by Secondary Metabolites: The Case of a Fast-Growing Tropical Species Bagassa guianensis Aubl.

Challenging evaluation of tropical forest biodiversity requires the reporting of taxonomic diversity but also the systematic characterization of wood properties in order to discover new promising species for timber industry. Among wood properties, the dimensional stability is regarded as a major technological characteristic to validate whether a wood species is adapted to commercial uses. Cell structure and organization are known to influence the drying shrinkage making wood density and microfibrils angle markers of choice to predict wood dimensional stability.