Development of PLA-Waste Paper Biocomposites with High Cellulose Content.

In this study, the integration of paper industry waste with high cellulose content into biocomposites of polylactic acid (PLA), a widely used biobased polymer material, was investigated. The PLA/waste biocomposite samples (0-25 wt.%) were manufactured using the extrusion and injection moulding techniques.

Characterization of Cellulosic Pulps Isolated from Two Widespread Agricultural Wastes: Cotton and Sunflower Stalks.

Globally, huge amounts of cotton and sunflower stalks are generated annually. These wastes are being underutilized since they are mostly burned in the fields. So, in this work, we proposed a three-step method consisting of acid pre-treatment, alkaline hydrolysis, and bleaching for the extraction of cellulose pulps.

Influence of Graphene Oxide on Mechanical Properties and Durability of Cement Mortar.

The effect of graphene oxide (GO) on the mechanical strengths and durability of cement composites was researched by preparing GO-modified cement mortars. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and nuclear magnetic resonance (Si MAS-NMR) were performed on the cement paste to evaluate the influence of GO on the hydration process and chain structure of calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) gels. TGA revealed that the high GO dosage increased the content of C-S-H by 5.

Biowaste management by hydrothermal carbonization and anaerobic co-digestion: Synergistic effects and comparative metagenomic analysis.

The feasibility of anaerobic co-digestion in semicontinuous mode of two major urban biowaste, food waste (FW) and garden and park waste (GPW) (75 % FW and 25 % GPW) as well as the co-digestion of FW with the process water originated from the hydrothermal carbonization of GPW (95 % FW and 5 % process water), both on a COD basis, has been assessed. The effect of varying organic loading rate (OLR) from 1.5 to 3.

Study of two approaches for the process water management from hydrothermal carbonization of swine manure: Anaerobic treatment and nutrient recovery.

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising alternative to transform biomass waste into a solid carbonaceous material (hydrochar) and a process water with potential for material and energy recovery. In this study, two alternatives for process water treatment by conventional and acid-assisted HTC of swine manure are discussed. Process water from conventional HTC at 180 °C showed high biodegradability (55% COD removal) and methane production (∼290 mL STP CH g COD) and the treatment in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor allowed obtaining a high methane production yield (1.