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In order to improve the properties of bamboo‐plastic composites (BPCs), bamboo flour/high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were reinforced with ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The effects of UHMWPE on properties of composites were studied. The crystallinity of composites decreased slightly. Compared with non‐UHMWPE added bamboo powder/HDPE composite, the composite with 6 wt % UHMWPE, showed decrease in water absorption to 0.41%, whereas its tensile strength and flexural strength increased to 34.51 and 25.88 MPa, respectively, a corresponding increase of 34.59 and 12.87%. The temperatures corresponding to initial degradation temperature (Tinitial) and maximum degradation temperature (Tmax) of the composite increased from 282.7 and 467.4 °C to 288.5 and 474.7 °C respectively. Scanning electron microscopic images showed that UHMWPE was well dispersed and fully extended as long fibers in the composite, forming a "three‐dimensional physically cross‐linked network structure," which contributed to the improved properties of the composites. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48971. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote the application of polyamide 6 (PA6) in wood–plastic composites, the negative effects associated with the thermal degradation of plant fibers must be overcome. In this study, waste bamboo fibers were subjected to pyrolysis and ball milling to afford nano bamboo-based biochar (BC), which was subsequently used as reinforcement to prepare PA6/BC nano composites by injection molding. In addition, the processing fluidity, water absorption, mechanical properties, and interface compatibility of PA6/BC composites were discussed. Results revealed that a BC content of less than 30 wt% is beneficial to improve the processing fluidity of the composites. With the increase in the BC content, the density of the PA6/BC composites gradually increased, while the water absorption of the PA6/BC composites gradually decreased, and the maximum decrease was 46%. Compared to that of pure PA6, the mechanical strength of PA6/BC composites was improved by the addition of BC, and the maximum tensile/flexural strength and modulus of PA6/BC composites increased by 41%/72% and 195%/244%, respectively. However, the impact strength decreased by 27%. After immersion treatment, the dimensional stability and mechanical strength of the composites decreased, while toughness improved. At a BC content of less than 40 wt%, BC particles exhibited good dispersibility and wettability in the PA6 matrix, and the rough surface and rich pore structure of BC rendered strong mechanical interlocking effects and good interface compatibility, thereby enhancing the mechanical properties of the composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A bamboo fiber/graphene oxide (M−CBF−rGO) aerogel with a sponge-like porous structure was fabricated. • The M−CBF−rGO shows excellent superelasticity and mechanical durability (7,000 cycles). • The derived sensor exhibits superior operating range (0–300 kPa) and strain sensitivity (892.9). • The sensor can be capable of detecting human physiological signals and monitoring human activity. Superelastic, breathable, and flexible piezoresistive sensors with excellent sensing performance are drawing tremendous attention in wearable electronics and sleeping furnishings. However, simultaneous realization of their high performance is still a huge challenge. In this study, inspired by the pore structure of natural sponges, a high-performance sponge-like bamboo fiber/graphene oxide aerogel piezoresistive sensor (M−CBF−rGO) was prepared utilizing bamboo fibers (BFs) and graphene oxide (GO) as raw materials through freeze casting and carbonization. Benefiting from the unique porous structure with effective absorbing/releasing energy, the M−CBF−rGO aerogel sensor exhibits excellent superelasticity (not being destroyed under 90 % deformation), mechanical durability (7,000 cycles), and good breathability. Moreover, the M−CBF−rGO sensor demonstrates ultra-high strain sensitivity (892.9), a wide detection range (0–300 kPa), and a fast recovery time (20 ms). Taking advantage of these benefits, the M−CBF−rGO sensor can not only be applied to detect human signals ranging from finger motion to swallowing recognition, but also integrated into the cushioning materials of upholstered furniture to generate a sensing array for monitoring and recogniting human activity including sitting postures and sleeping positions in real-time. This sensor demonstrates the potential application prospects in the fields of human health diagnosis, smart wearable products, and intelligent upholstered furniture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benefiting from its high strength and toughness, bamboo is widely used in architecture, furniture, textile and other industries, however, it always encounters bending failure when used in building and furniture. Here, experiment and Finite element modeling(FEM) methods were applied to study the strength and toughness contributed by bamboo node part to bamboo bending performance. The results show bamboo node part could enhance the ability of bamboo to resist ovalization deformation and failure by dispersing and redistributing stress and changing fracture modes from Mode I to Mixed Mode effectively, benefiting from the mechanical advantage of 3D woven structured node and stiff diaphragm. The findings are significant for rational utilization of bamboo and innovative design of composite with high strength and toughness. • Node part improves bamboo stability by greater cross section ovalization deformation. • Node part enhances bamboo strength and toughness by changing fracture modes. • Node enhances bending ability through stress dispersion obtained by FEM. • Diaphragm enhances bending ability through stress redistribution by FEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mold infestation-induced degradation of quality and performance of bamboo remains a persistent and unresolved issue in the bamboo engineering industry. Herein, an effective strategy was proposed to prepare mold resistant bamboo by luffa seed oil (LSO) microcapsules impregnation method. First, microcapsules were prepared by ionic gelation method, with LSO as the core and chitosan as the shell. Second, the microwave-pretreated bamboo slices were vacuum impregnated with the microcapsules. Microcapsules exhibited good slow-release properties, with a maximum embedding ratio of 17.65% and an average particle size of less than 500 nm. Microcapsules got adsorbed, bonded to, or fused with the bamboo fiber cell wall, and they exhibited less effect on the moisture absorption ratio, moisture desorption ratio, and mechanical properties of bamboo. However, the microcapsule impregnation treatment led to significant improvement in the mold resistance of the bamboo slices, so that the infection level was still level 1 after 30 d of inoculation with mold. This strategy lays a strong foundation for further research on mold-resistant bamboo materials and encourages new applications in green engineering. [Display omitted] • Luffa seed oil (LSO) microcapsules with particle size below 500 nm were prepared. • LSO microcapsules exhibited good slow-release property. • Microcapsules achieved deep impregnation in bamboo through pores in bamboo slices. • Microcapsule treatment significantly improved the mold resistance of bamboo slices. • Microcapsule treatment preserves excellent mechanical properties of bamboo slices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization potential of bamboo is enormous; however, its use is hampered in furniture and building materials applications due to its hydrophilic and mildew-prone properties. For the first time, bamboo was subjected to microwave treatment followed by impregnation with luffa seed oil (LSO), rich in high levels of bioactive substances. The synergistic effects of microwave treatment and LSO impregnation on the chemical, physical, mildew resistance, and mechanical properties of bamboo materials and their interrelationships were systematically investigated. The results showed that microwave treatment could increase the porosity of bamboo slices. The LSO content reached a higher saturation in bamboo slices when impregnated for 8 h, the contact angle of bamboo slices increased by 318.9%, and the short-term mildew resistance was significantly enhanced. LSO not only penetrated the bamboo fiber cell wall and cell cavity to form a physical bond, but also possibly formed a chemical connection. The mechanical strength of bamboo slices impregnated with LSO after microwave treatment was improved, and the ultimate load and elastic modulus when loaded on the yellow side of bamboo were 426.8 N and 9379.4 MPa, respectively. [Display omitted] • Microwave treatment synergistic luffa seed oil (LSO) treated bamboo slices. • LSO reduced the hydrophilicity and porosity of bamboo slices. • Synergistic modification resulted in less mold-induced corrosion of bamboo fibers. • Physical and chemical connections exist between LSO and bamboo fiber tissue. • LSO treatment can regulate the mechanical properties of bamboo slices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]