Reinforcement of Epoxidized Natural Rubber with High Antimicrobial Resistance Using Water Hyacinth Fibers and Chlorhexidine Gluconate.

In this study, epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) was mixed using a two-roller mixer. Water hyacinth fiber (WHF) acted as a reinforcing agent in the preparation of the rubber composite at 10 phr (ENRC/WHF). Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) was added at different concentrations (1, 5, 10, and 20 phr) as an antimicrobial and coupling agent.

Bio-Composite Films Based on Carboxymethyl Chitosan Incorporated with Calcium Oxide: Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity.

The utilization of biopolymers incorporated with antimicrobial agents is extremely interesting in the development of environmentally friendly functional materials for food packaging and other applications. In this study, the effect of calcium oxide (CaO) on the morphological, mechanical, thermal, and hydrophilic properties as well as the antimicrobial activity of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCH) bio-composite films was investigated. The CMCH was synthesized from shrimp chitosan through carboxymethylation, whereas the CaO was synthesized via a co-precipitation method with polyethylene glycol as a stabilizer.

Production of Nanocellulose from Sugarcane Bagasse and Development of Nanocellulose Conjugated with Polylysine for Fumonisin B1 Toxicity Absorption.

The present study aimed to extract nanocellulose (NC) from sugarcane bagasse agricultural waste through a chemical method (sulfuric acid hydrolysis and ultrasonication). Subsequently, the nanocellulose product was conjugated with polylysine (NC-PL) and assessed for its efficacy in reducing the toxicity of Fumonisin B1 (FB1), a mycotoxin produced by fungi commonly found in corn, wheat, and other grains. Experimental results confirmed the successful conjugation of NC and PL, as evidenced by FTIR peaks at 1635 and 1625 cm indicating amide I and amide II vibrations in polylysine (PL).

Bamboo Pulp Toughening Poly (Lactic Acid) Composite Using Reactive Epoxy Resin.

A novel poly (lactic acid) (PLA) composite with excellent mechanical properties, toughness, thermal stability, and water resistance was developed using a reactive melt-blending technique. PLA was melt mixed with epoxy resin (EPOXY) and bamboo pulp (PULP) to improve its reaction and mechanical properties. FTIR analysis confirmed the successful reaction of the PLA/EPOXY/PULP composites; the epoxy groups of EPOXY reacted with the -COOH groups of PLA and the -OH groups of PULP.

Mechanical properties and water resistance improvement of thermoplastic modified starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, and zinc oxide nanometal particles by reactive blending.

Novel biodegradable thermoplastic starch (TPS) with high mechanical properties and water resistance was developed using reactive blending technique. Effect of zinc oxide (ZnO) addition to TPS properties and reaction was investigated. Thermoplastic modified starch (TPMS) was prepared by melt-mixing modified starch with glycerol 70/30%wt/wt.

Reactive Blending of Modified Thermoplastic Starch Chlorhexidine Gluconate and Poly(butylene succinate) Blending with Epoxy Compatibilizer.

Biodegradable starch-based polymers were developed by melt-blending modified thermoplastic starch (MTPS) with poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) blended with epoxy resin (Er). A modified thermoplastic starch blend with chlorhexidine gluconate (MTPSCh) was prepared by melt-blending cassava starch with glycerol and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) 1.0% wt.

Property Improvements of Silica-Filled Styrene Butadiene Rubber/Butadiene Rubber Blend Incorporated with Fatty-Acid-Containing Palm Oil.

Using vegetable oils as a plasticizer or processing aid in green rubber products is becoming popular due to environmental concerns. However, differences in vegetable oil processing result in varying amounts of low-molecular-weight (low-MW) free fatty acids (FFAs) in their composition, which range from 2% to 30%. This research investigated how the properties of silica-filled styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and butadiene rubber (BR) blends were affected by the presence of FFAs in palm oil (PO).

Preparation and Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystals from Bamboos and Their Application in Cassava Starch-Based Film.

Cellulose from different species of bamboo ( Gamble, Munro (DSM), , and sp.) was converted to cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) by a chemical-mechanical method. First, bamboo fibers were pre-treated (removal of lignin and hemicellulose) to obtain cellulose.

Role of Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds in Promoting Plant Growth and Disease Resistance in Horticultural Production.

Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) are a diverse group of volatile organic compounds that microorganisms may produce and release into the environment. These compounds have both positive and negative effects on plants, as they have been shown to be effective at mitigating stresses and functioning as immune stimulants. Furthermore, MVOCs modulate plant growth and systemic plant resistance, while also serving as attractants or repellents for insects and other stressors that pose threats to plants.

Enhancement in mechanical and antimicrobial properties of epoxidized natural rubber via reactive blending with chlorhexidine gluconate.

An epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) blend with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) was prepared using a two-roll mill at 130 °C. CHG was added at concentrations of 0.2, 0.

Sparking Nano-Metals on a Surface of Polyethylene Terephthalate and Its Application: Anti-Coronavirus and Anti-Fogging Properties.

The nano-metal-treated PET films with anti-virus and anti-fogging ability were developed using sparking nano-metal particles of Ag, Zn, and Ti wires on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films. Ag nanoparticles were detected on the PET surface, while a continuous aggregate morphology was observed with Zn and Ti sparking. The color of the Ag-PET films changed to brown with increasing repeat sparking times, but not with the Zn-PET and Ti-PET films.

Modified Poly(Lactic Acid) Epoxy Resin Using Chitosan for Reactive Blending with Epoxidized Natural Rubber: Analysis of Annealing Time.

Poly(lactic acid) was melt-blended with epoxy resin without hardener and chitosan (CTS) to prepare modified PLA (PLAEC). Epoxy resin 5% and CTS 1-20% (wt/wt) were incorporated into PLA during melt mixing. PLAEC was melt-blended with an epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) 80/20 wt.

Packaging materials and technologies for microwave applications: a review.

Packaging materials for microwave application should be generally designed based on products properties and processing conditions such as microwavability, susceptibility, processing condition, barrier properties, mechanical properties, storage condition, sustainability, convenience, and so on. Ready-to-eat products are packed in materials that can sustain thermal processing in an industrial oven and warming process in a household oven. In this context, high barrier polymers are versatile microwave packaging materials due to the microwave transparency (unlike metalized film) and high barrier.

Morphology, Mechanical, and Water Barrier Properties of Carboxymethyl Rice Starch Films: Sodium Hydroxide Effect.

Carboxymethyl rice starch films were prepared from carboxymethyl rice starch (CMSr) treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 10-50% /. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of NaOH concentrations on morphology, mechanical properties, and water barrier properties of the CMSr films. The degree of substitution (DS) and morphology of native rice starch and CMSr powders were examined.

High Substitution Synthesis of Carboxymethyl Chitosan for Properties Improvement of Carboxymethyl Chitosan Films Depending on Particle Sizes.

This study investigated the effect of chitosan particle sizes on the properties of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) powders and films. Chitosan powders with different particle sizes (75, 125, 250, 450 and 850 µm) were used to synthesize the CMCh powders. The yield, degree of substitution (DS), and water solubility of the CMCh powders were then determined.

Corn starch reactive blending with latex from natural rubber using Na ions augmented carboxymethyl cellulose as a crosslinking agent.

A mixture of corn starch and glycerol plasticizer (CSG) was blended with latex natural rubber (LNR) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The addition of 10 phr of CMC improved the Young's modulus (6.7 MPa), tensile strength (8 MPa), and elongation at break (80%) of the CSG/LNR blend.

PET/Bio-Based Terpolyester Blends with High Dimensional Thermal Stability.

To improve the dimensional thermal stability of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a poly(ethylene glycol 1,4-cyclohexane dimethylene (CHDM) isosorbide (ISB) terephthalate) (PEICT) known as ECOZENT110 (EZT) was introduced into PET using a melt blending technique. The miscibility, morphology, and thermal properties of the PET/EZT samples were investigated. The introduction of amorphous EZT into semi-crystalline PET increased the glass transition temperature (T) but decreased the crystallinity, which could be related to the transesterification reaction.

Preparation and characterization of positively surface charged zinc oxide nanoparticles against bacterial pathogens.

Solvothermal synthesis was used to investigate the formation of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs). A series of ZnO NPs was synthesized with different relative ratios of didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) and zinc nitrate (ZN). The variation in the molarity influenced the crystallinity, size, and morphology of the obtained ZnO NPs.

Effects of incorporating calcined corals as natural antimicrobial agent into active packaging system for milk storage.

A series of nylon (NY)/linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) containing calcined corals (NY/LL-CORALS) composite films were prepared using the cast extrusion method. We investigated the effect of different contents of incorporated calcined corals on the physical properties and antimicrobial activity of the composite films as well as their feasibility for milk storage applications. The results indicated that the main compound in calcined corals was calcium oxide (CaO).

Calcined marine coral powders as a novel ecofriendly antimicrobial agent.

In this study, natural waste of marine corals was calcined to prepare an antimicrobial agent. Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the major element and compound of calcined corals were Ca and CaO, respectively, while X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the occurrence of more than one oxygen species (O) on the surface of calcined corals, which was ascribed to the presence of MgO. Scanning electron microscopy imaging showed that calcined corals had a rough surface and an irregular shape, and the particle size distribution indicated that the average particle size of the calcined corals was 7.

Poly(Lactic Acid)/Zno Bionanocomposite Films with Positively Charged Zno as Potential Antimicrobial Food Packaging Materials.

A series of PLA/ZnO bionanocomposite films were prepared by introducing positively surface charged zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) into biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) by the solvent casting method, and their physical properties and antibacterial activities were evaluated. The physical properties and antibacterial efficiencies of the bionanocomposite films were strongly dependent on the ZnO NPs content. The bionanocomposite films with over 3% ZnO NPs exhibited a rough surface, poor dispersion, hard agglomerates, and voids, leading to a reduction in the crystallinity and morphological defects.

Preparation and Characterization of Poly(ether-block-amide)/Polyethylene Glycol Composite Films with Temperature-Dependent Permeation.

A series of poly(ether-block-amide) (PEBAX)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) composite films (PBXPG) were prepared by solution casting technique. This study demonstrates how the incorporation of different molecular weight PEG into PEBAX can improve the as-prepared composite film performance in gas permeability as a function of temperature. Additionally, we investigated the effect of PEG with different molecular weights on gas transport properties, morphologies, thermal properties, and water sorption.