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This study focuses on three different regions of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis): an inner layer (IB), middle layer (MB), and outer layer (OB), to comprehensively characterize the structural features, chemical composition (ash, extractives and lignin contents), and the lignin monomeric composition as determined by analytical pyrolysis. The results show that bamboo presents a gradient structure. From the IB to OB, the vascular bundle density and fiber sheath ratio increase, the porosity decreases (from 45.92% to 18.14%), and the vascular bundle diameter–chord ratio increases (from 0.85 to 1.48). In terms of chemical composition, the ash, extractives, and acid-soluble lignin content gradually decrease from IB to OB. The holocellulose content follows the trend: MB (66.3%) > OB (65.9%) > IB (62.8%), while the acid-insoluble lignin content exhibits the opposite trend: IB (22.6%) > OB (17.8%) > MB (17.7%). Pyrolysis products reveal the diversity of carbohydrates and lignin derivatives, with a lignin monomeric composition rich in syringyl and guaiacyl units and lower amounts of H-units: the IB has an H:G:S relation of 18:26:55, while 15:27:58 is the ratio for the MB and 15:40:45 for the OB; S/G ratio values were, respectively, 1.22, 1.46, and 0.99. A comprehensive analysis highlights significant gradient variations in the structure and chemistry of bamboo, providing robust support for the classification and refinement methods of bamboo residues for potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to improve the overall quality of rice grown in northeastern China, which is famous for its high yield. Therefore, it is necessary to study the quality of japonica rice resources in the region. This study analyzed 71 rice samples from the Liaoning, Heilongjiang, and Jilin Provinces, focusing on grain shape, endosperm composition, and taste. Significant regional differences were observed in taste and edibility, with the samples from Heilongjiang and Jilin generally scoring higher taste value, which was significantly higher than the Liaoning variety. However, the Liaoning varieties were more stable in terms of the sensory evaluation of taste. Obvious differences in grain length were detected among the samples, with the varieties from Jilin and Heilongjiang Provinces predominantly having short and medium-to-long grains, respectively, and those from Liaoning Province having diverse grain shapes. However, there was no correlation between grain shape and taste. This indicated that the taste of rice is not affected solely by its external morphology but also by multiple interacting factors. There were significant differences in endosperm composition among the three provinces, but the amylose content of the tested varieties was generally less than 18%, and the protein content was about 6%. Additionally, the Jilin Province varieties had the lowest apparent amylose content and long chain of amylopectin (Fb3), the Heilongjiang Province varieties had the lowest protein content, and there were more medium chains of amylopectin. Notably, protein content was negatively correlated with taste but positively correlated with pasting properties. It can be seen that the premise of varieties in different provinces showing good taste characteristics is to ensure the content of amylose and protein is low, and adjust the proportion of amylopectin chain length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen fertilizer affects rice endosperm protein, which in turn affects rice taste. However, study of nitrogen regulation of protein components is not sufficient. To clarify the effects of nitrogen fertilizer on rice protein components and related traits, we used two high albumin content and two low glutelin content rice varieties as test materials and analyzed the relationship between protein components and rice eating quality. The results showed that nitrogen application significantly affected prolamine and glutelin contents; moreover, a relationship was observed between variety and fertilization level. The protein components of the low glutelin content rice varieties were sensitive to nitrogen treatment; the albumin and globulin contents increased, whereas the prolamine and glutelin contents decreased following treatment with medium level nitrogen. Nitrogen treatment also significantly affected the apparent amylose content (AAC) of varieties except Yinguang. The eating characteristics of the high albumin content varieties differed significantly among nitrogen treatments, and the two varieties tasted better following treatment with high concentrations of nitrogen. In conclusion, the short chain of amylopectin in the endosperm had a greater direct effect on taste, but the effect was opposite in the two varieties. Furthermore, globulin was found to affect the taste of low glutelin content varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using bamboo residue and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) as the main raw materials, core–shell structured wood plastic composites (WPCs) with nano-CaCO3 filling shell were prepared by coextruded technology. The effect of nano-CaCO3 contents on the flexural properties, impact strength and dynamic thermo-mechanical properties of the core–shell structured WPCs were investigated. And the value of core–shell interface interaction parameter was calculated by dynamic thermodynamic parameters. The results showed that the flexural strength increased by 48.1% and 40.3% when it was loaded with 10%–15% nano-CaCO3, compared to the HDPE shell composites, respectively. While nano-CaCO3-filled HDPE shell had lower impact strength in comparison with HDPE shell, the field emission scanning electron microscope revealed proper interfacial adhesion between the core and shell layers. The storage modulus of core–shell structured WPCs increased as nano-CaCO3 contents increased, but the values were lower than that of the HDPE shell. Addition of nano-CaCO3 caused an increase in the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the core–shell structured WPCs, loss factor (tanδ) of the core–shell structured WPCs decreased. The value of the core–shell interface interaction parameter of the core–shell structured WPCs increased significantly after the nano-CaCO3 loading reached 15%, which was consistent with the bending test results. These findings demonstrate that the core–shell structured WPCs have excellent properties filling with nano-CaCO3 in the shell layer, and bamboo residue is added to the core layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the performance of the bamboo fiber composites prepared by filament winding, composites reinforced with jute fiber and glass fiber were used as control samples. The structure and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated by scanning electric microscope (SEM), tensile testing, bending testing, and dynamic mechanical analysis. The results demonstrated that the bamboo fiber composites exhibited lower density (0.974 g/cm3) and mechanical properties in comparison of to fiber composite and glass fiber composite, because the inner tissue structure of bamboo fiber was preserved without resin adsorbed into the cell cavity of fibrous parenchyma. The bamboo fibers in composites were pulled out, while the fibers in the surface of composites were torn, resulting in the lowest mechanical performance of bamboo fiber composites. The glass transition temperature of twisting bamboo fiber Naval Ordnance Laboratory (TBF-NOL) composite (165.89 °C) was the highest in general, which indicated that the TBF circumferential composite had the best plasticizing properties and better elasticity, the reason being that the fiber-reinforced epoxy circumferential composite interface joint is a physical connection, which restricts the movement of the molecular chain of the epoxy matrix, making the composite have a higher storage modulus (6000 MPa). In addition, The TBF-NOL had the least frequency dependence, and the circumferential composite prepared by TBF had the least performance variability. Therefore, the surface and internal structures of the bamboo fiber should be further processed and improved by decreasing the twisting bamboo fiber (TBF) diameter and increasing the specific surface area of the TBF and joint surface between fibers and resin, to improve the comprehensive properties of bamboo fiber composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboo fibers (BFs)-reinforced epoxy resin (EP) composites are prepared by resin transfer molding (RTM). The influence of BFs surface modification (NaOH solution or coupling agents, i.e., KH550 and KH560) on interfacial properties of BFs/EP composites is systematically investigated. The synergistic effect of hydrolysis, peeling reaction of BFs, and the condensation reaction of hydrolyzed coupling agents are confirmed by FTIR. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveal that the interfacial compatibility of NaOH- and silane-modified BFs/EP composites was significantly improved. KH550-modified BFs/EP composite renders optimal tensile, flexural, and impact strength values of 68 MPa, 86 MPa, and 226 J/m. The impact resistance mechanism at the interface of BFs/EP composites was proposed. Moreover, the dynamic mechanical properties, creep behavior, and differential scanning calorimetry of BFs/EP composites have also been carried out to understand thermal stabilities. Overall, the surface-modified BFs-reinforced EP composites exhibited superior interfacial bonding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for eco-friendly renewable natural fibers has grown in recent years. In this study, a series of polypropylene-based composites reinforced with single bamboo fibers (SBFs), prepared by non-woven paving and a hot-pressing process, were investigated. The influence of the content of SBF on impact strength, flexural strength, and water resistance was analyzed. The properties of the composites were greatly affected by the SBF content. Impact strength increased as SBF content increased. The modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity show an optimum value, with SBF contents of 40% and 50%, respectively. The surface morphology of the fractured surfaces of the composites was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The composites showed poor interfacial compatibility. The water resistance indicates that the composites with higher SBF contents have higher values of water absorption and thickness swelling, due to the hydrophilicity of the bamboo fibers. The thermal properties of the composites were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis and by differential scanning calorimetry. The thermal stability of the composites was gradually reduced, due to the poor thermal stability of SBFs. In the composites, the maximum decomposition temperature corresponding to SBF shows an increasing trend. However, the maximum decomposition temperature of polypropylene was not influenced by SBF content. The melting point of the polypropylene in the composites was lower relative to pure polypropylene, although it was not affected by increasing SBF content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this report was to understand the tensile properties and dynamic mechanical properties of bamboo powder (BP) reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composite filaments which were treated with nano calcium carbonate (CaCO3), cellulose nanofibers (CNF), and micro-crystalline cellulose (MCC) using impregnation modification technology. The storage modulus (E') of nano CaCO3-BP/PLA, MCC-BP/PLA, and CNF-BP/PLA composite filaments increased compared with BP/PLA composite filaments before the glass transition temperature Tg. When the temperature was above Tg, the reinforcement effect of nano CaCO3, MCC, and CNF gradually became less apparent. The loss modulus (E") and loss factor (tan δmax) of the nano CaCO3-BP/PLA, MCC-BP/PLA, and CNF-BP/PLA composite filaments was higher than that of BP/PLA composite filaments produced by the "one-step" method. The tensile strength (TS) results showed a similar trend. Compared with the control samples, the TS of nano CaCO3-BP/PLA, MCC-BP/PLA, and CNF-BP/PLA composite filaments produced by the "one-step" method (and the "two-step" method) increased by 40.33% (and 10.10%), 32.35% (and −8.61%), and 12.32% (and −12.85%), respectively. The TS of nano CaCO3-BP/PLA, MCC-BP/PLA, and CNF-BP/PLA composite filaments produced by the "one-step" method was slightly higher than those produced by the "two-step" method. The elongation at break (EAB) of BP/PLA composite filaments was higher than that of BP/PLA samples treated with nano CaCO3, MCC, or CNF. The PLA and modified BP were readily accessible through a simple mixing process. The rheological investigation of such mixtures showed that nano CaCO3, CNF, and MCC have different effects on the processability and rheological properties of composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this study was to observe the mechanical properties of bamboo plastic composites (BPCs) with bamboo pulp fiber (BPF) or white mud (WM). The essential work of fracture (EWF) methodology was used to characterize the impact toughness of BPCs. The results revealed an increase in flexural, tensile and impact properties, when adding the BPF in the BPCs. While the flexural properties of WM-reinforced BPCs revealed increasing, there was a decrease in tensile and impact strength. In an impact strength analysis study, BPF-filled BPCs showed excellent impact property over WM-filled BPCs; scanning electron microscopy (SEM) helps to explain impact fracture behavior of BPCs. EWF analysis of impact results showed that the specific essential work of fracture (we) increased significantly with the amount of BPF used in BPCs but decreased with the increase of WM in the BPCs. There was similar variation for the non-essential plastic work (βwp) of BPCs. This result indicates that the fracture initiation and fracture propagation of BPCs are different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new and eco-friendly mussel-inspired surface modification pathway for bamboo fiber (BF) is presented in this study. The self-assembly polydopamine (PDA) coating can firmly adhere on BF surface, which also serves as a bridge to graft octadecylamine (ODA) for hydrophobic surface preparation. The as-formed PDA/ODA hybrid layer could supply abundant hydrophobic long-chain alkyls groups and generated a marked increase in BF surface roughness and a marked decrease in surface free energy. These changes provided advantages to improve fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion and wettability. Consequently, high performance was achieved by incorporating the hybrid modified BF into the polybutylene succinate (PBS) matrix. The resultant composite exhibited excellent mechanical properties, particularly tensile strength, which markedly increased by 77.2%. Meanwhile, considerable high water resistance with an absorption rate as low as 5.63% was also achieved. The gratifying macro-performance was primarily attributed to the excellent interfacial adhesion attained by hydrogen bonding and physical intertwining between the PDA/ODA coating on the BF and the PBS matrix, which was further determined by fracture morphology observations and dynamic mechanical analysis. Owing to the superior adhesive capacity of PDA, this mussel-inspired surface modification method may result in wide-ranging applications in polymer composites and be adapted to all natural fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this study was to observe the effect of nano calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) modification methods on bamboo fiber (BF) used in BF-reinforced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites manufactured by extrusion molding. Two methods were used to introduce the nano CaCO₃ into the BF for modification; the first was blending modification (BM) and the second was impregnation modification (IM). In order to determine the effects of the modification methods, the water absorption, surface free energy and interfacial properties of the unmodified composites were compared to those of the composites made from the two modification methods. The results revealed that the percentage increase in the weight of the composite treated by nano CaCO₃ decreased and that of the IMBF/HDPE composite was the lowest over the seven months of time. The results obtained by the acid-base model according to the Lewis and Owens-Wendt- Rabel-Kaelble (OWRK) equations indicated that the surface energy of the composites was between 40 and 50 mJ/m². When compared to the control sample, the maximum storage modulus (E' max ) of the BMBF/HDPE and IMBF/HDPE composites increased 1.43- and 1.53-fold, respectively. The values of the phase-to-phase interaction parameter B and the k value of the modified composites were higher than those of the unmodified composites, while the apparent activation energy Ea and interface parameter A were lower in the modified composites. It can be concluded that nano CaCO 3 had an effect on the interfacial properties of BF-reinforced HDPE composites, and the interface bonding between IMBF and HDPE was greatest among the composites., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

A novel method has been developed to fabricate submicron beams with galvanic etch stop for Si in TMAH. The different Au:Si area ratios before and after the release of the beams are used to trigger the galvanic etch stop to fabricate submicron single crystal Si beams in standard Si wafers. Before the beams are released from the substrate, the Au electrodes are connected to the substrate electrically. The Au:Si area ratios are much smaller than the threshold value. TMAH etches the Si wafers. After the beams are fully released, they are mechanically supported by the Au wires, which also serve as the galvanic etch stop cathodes. The Au:Si area ratios are much larger than the threshold value. The beams are protected by galvanic etch stop. The thicknesses of the beams are determined by shallow dry etching before TMAH etching. A 530 nm thick beam was fabricated in standard (111) wafers. Experiments showed that the beam thicknesses did not change with over etching, even if the SiO(2) layers on the surface of the beams were stripped.