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In this study, lignin isolated and fractionated from black liquor was used as a pre-polymer to prepare bio-polyurethane (Bio-PU) resin, and the resin was impregnated into ramie fiber (Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaudich) to improve its thermal and mechanical properties. The isolated lignin was fractionated by one-step fractionation using two different solvents, i.e., methanol (MeOH) and acetone (Ac). Each fractionated lignin was dissolved in NaOH and then reacted with a polymeric 4,4-methane diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI) polymer at an NCO/OH mole ratio of 0.3. The resulting Bio-PU was then used in the impregnation of ramie fiber. The characterization of lignin, Bio-PU, and ramie fiber was carried out using several techniques, i.e., Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), pyrolysis-gas-chromatography-mass-spectroscopy (Py-GCMS), Micro Confocal Raman spectroscopy, and an evaluation of fiber mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity and tensile strength). Impregnation of Bio-PU into ramie fiber resulted in weight gain ranging from 6% to 15%, and the values increased when extending the impregnation time. The reaction between the NCO group on Bio-PU and the OH group on ramie fiber forms a C=O group of urethane as confirmed by FTIR and Micro Confocal Raman spectroscopies at a wavenumber of 1600 cm−1. Based on the TGA analysis, ramie fiber with lignin-based Bio-PU had better thermal properties than ramie fiber before impregnation with a greater weight residue of 21.7%. The mechanical properties of ramie fiber also increased after impregnation with lignin-based Bio-PU, resulting in a modulus of elasticity of 31 GPa for ramie-L-isolated and a tensile strength of 577 MPa for ramie-L-Ac. The enhanced thermal and mechanical properties of impregnated ramie fiber with lignin-based Bio-PU resins could increase the added value of ramie fiber and enhance its more comprehensive industrial application as a functional material.

The paper is devoted to the study of thermal parameters (specific heat capacity, diffusivity and thermal conductivity) changes after thermally induced aging of BMC Mensolite 3100. Results of several measurements are statistically treated. From obtained results it is visible the greatest correlation in the diffusivity values, i.e. the heat irradiation effect is the smallest on the diffusivity values dispersion, the influence of the heat irradiation on the thermal capacity has approximately the same trend as the thermal conductivity. From the starting point represented by the virgin sample both values decrease and for the sample heated at 300°C it is visible an increase of the above mentioned values under investigation. Results are interpreted by using of the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). All physical values under this investigation have a dominant decreasing tendency after the thermal treatment described.

The efficient isolation process and understanding of lignin properties are essential to determine key features and insights for more effective lignin valorization as a renewable feedstock for the production of bio-based chemicals including wood adhesives. This study successfully used dilute acid precipitation to recover lignin from black liquor (BL) through a single-step and ethanol-fractionated-step, with a lignin recovery of ~35% and ~16%, respectively. The physical characteristics of lignin, i.e., its morphological structure, were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical properties of the isolated lignin were characterized using comprehensive analytical techniques such as chemical composition, solubility test, morphological structure, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)

On-road mobile sources of emissions make important contributions to particulate matter pollution (PM2.5–PM10) in cities. The quantification of such pollution is, however, highly challenging due to the number of interacting factors that affect emissions such as vehicle category, emission standard, vehicle speed and weather conditions. The proper identification of individual sources of emission is particularly necessary for air quality management areas. In this study, we estimated exhaust and non-exhaust traffic-related PM2.5 and PM10 contributions to total ambient pollution in Banská Bystrica (Slovak republic) by simulation based on the AERMOD dispersion model. Emission rates of particular vehicle categories were obtained through vehicle population statistics, traffic data survey and emission factors from the EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory guidebook. Continuous PM10 and PM2.5 data from air quality monitoring stations were analysed for the years 2019–2020 and compared with modelled concentrations. The annual concentration values of PM2.5 and PM10 in the study area reached 16.71 μg/m3 and 15.57 μg/m3, respectively. We found that modelled PM2.5 peak concentration values exceeded the WHO air quality guideline annual mean limit. Traffic-related PM2.5 and PM10 contributions to ambient pollution at the reference point located nearby to a busy traffic route were approximately 25% and 17%, respectively. The reference point located outside the main transport corridors showed an approximately 11% contribution, both for PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations. The simulations showed that PM pollution is greatly contributed to by on-road mobile sources of emissions in the study area, and especially non-exhaust emissions, which require serious attention in association with their health impacts and the selection of Banská Bystrica as an air quality management area.

Tannins are soluble, astringent secondary phenolic metabolites generally obtained from renewable natural resources, and can be found in many plant parts, such as fruits, stems, leaves, seeds, roots, buds, and tree barks, where they have a protective function against bacterial, fungal, and insect attacks. In general, tannins can be extracted using hot water or organic solvents from the bark, leaves, and stems of plants. Industrially, tannins are applied to produce adhesives, wood coatings, and other applications in the wood and polymer industries. In addition, tannins can also be used as a renewable and environmentally friendly material to manufacture bio-based polyurethanes (bio-PUs) to reduce or eliminate the toxicity of isocyanates used in their manufacture. Tannin-based bio-PUs can improve the mechanical and thermal properties of polymers used in the automotive, wood, and construction industries. The various uses of tannins need to be put into perspective with regards to possible further advances and future potential for value-added applications. Tannins are employed in a wide range of industrial applications, including the production of leather and wood adhesives, accounting for almost 90% of the global commercial tannin output. The shortage of natural resources, as well as the growing environmental concerns related to the reduction of harmful emissions of formaldehyde or isocyanates used in the production of polyurethanes, have driven the industrial and academic interest towards the development of tannin-based bio-PUs as sustainable alternative materials with satisfactory characteristics. The aim of the present review is to comprehensively summarize the current state of research in the field of development, characterization, and application of tannin-derived, bio-based polyurethane resins. The successful synthesis process of the tannin-based bio-PUs was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analyses.

This article deals with the laser cutting of wood and wood composites. The laser cutting of wood and wood composites is widely accepted and used by the wood industry (due to its many advantages compared to, e.g., saw cutting). The goal of this research was to optimize the cutting parameters of spruce wood (Pices abies L.) by a low-power CO2 laser. The influence of three factors was investigated, namely, the effect of the laser power (100 and 150 W), cutting speed (3, 6, and 9 mm&middot, s&minus, 1), and number of annual rings (3&ndash, 11) on the width of the cutting kerf on the top board, on the width of the cutting kerf on the bottom board, on the ratio of the cutting kerf width on the top and bottom of the board, on the width of the heat-affected area on both sides of the cutting kerf (this applies to the top and bottom of the board), and on the degree of charring. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation and regression analysis were used for developing a linear regression model without interactions and a quadratic regression model with quadratic interactions. Based on the developed models, the optimization of parameter settings of the investigated process was performed in order to achieve the final kerf quality. The improvement in the quality of the part ranged from 3% to more than 30%. The results were compared with other research dealing with the laser cutting of wood and wood composites.

Modern means of transport increasingly utilize sandwich constructions. Among other things, the reasons for such state of affairs include the reduced weight of means of transport, and through this, better fuel economy as well as price. This work is dedicated to a systematic experimental study of the influence of various materials and sandwich designs on their mechanical properties. In the framework of experiments, sandwich-structured composites were exposed to two types of stressing: static as well as impact stressing. The testing of prepared samples was performed according to ASTM C-393 Standard, dealing specifically with the bending behavior of sandwich composite constructions and impact testing under the scope of ISO 6603-2 Standard test. In this article we deal with static and impact testing of the eight types of core materials, two types of coatings, two types of surface finishes, and two types of resins with a special emphasis on their use in constructions of some exterior or interior components of transport means. Web of Science 10 8 art. no. 750

The basic thermophysical properties of oriented strand boards were determined experimentally for use in humid conditions (OSB3) depending on the moisture content. The dependency between the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, specific heat capacity, and the moisture content in the range of 0% to 10%, was examined. The non-stationary extended dynamic plane source (EDPS) experimental method was used. EDPS method was modified for anisotropic materials, i.e. with special considerations of heat-loss effect occurring at the edge of measuring samples, finite geometry of the sample and orthotropic thermal conductivity, for use with anisotropic materials. The validity of the experimental method was verified on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) samples. The error rate of measurements conducted on PMMA samples was less than 3%, and for OSB3 boards it was less than 5.5%. Based on the experimental results, regression equations of the dependency between the monitored properties and the moisture content were determined. In the case of thermal conductivity and thermal capacity, the determined dependencies showed a high correlation rate.

Article discusses effect of environmental condition on heat transfer from wood sample during burning process. The aim of the paper is to characterize temperature vs time dependence of irradiated wood surface as a function of heat source distance , total heat transfer coefficient and thermal diffusivity . From temperature vs time dependence on the irradiated side is possible to compute heat ignition temperature of wood as one of the most important characteristics of wood burning. All measured values of studied parameters are in very good agreement with table values.

Artificial neural networks (ANN) have been used for characterization of rubber blend mixtures ageing and for prediction of mechanical properties according to chemical composition. Strength Rm and modulus M100 have been evaluated. The ANN application was tested by statistical function RMSE (root mean square error) and R2 (coefficient of determination) which value for all predictions was higher than 0.93.

Due to relatively low environmental awareness of a man, we have reported considerable deterioration of the environment on the Earth resulting mainly in destruction of the nature. In general, increasing people ́s awareness along with conscious environmentally-responsible behaviour may help slow down the process of degradation or even stop it. Consequently, in some regions and localities, we could report improvement in environmental conditions and thus ensure harmonisation of a relationship between the nature and a man as an unseparable part hereof.

A barrier plasma, created at atmospheric pressure, was used to improve the surface and adhesive properties of polyester (PES) film with respect to wood using polyurethane adhesives. The modification of PES film surfaces using barrier discharge plasma is attractive for various applications. Plasma pre-treatment initiates and participates in grafting, polymerization, or cross-linking reactions on the PES surface. This method of surface modification is clean, dry, ecological, and very efficient. The enhancement of the wettability of the polyester film was necessary for promoting higher adhesion to wood with water-based adhesives. The treatment of polyester films by barrier plasma led to a considerable increase in the surface free energy of the film and subsequently an increase in the peel strength of the adhesive joint of PES film-oak wood with polyurethane adhesive. The authors are grateful for the financial support of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic and Slovak Academy of Sciences, projects VEGA 2/0199/14 and 1/0626/16, and the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contracts No. APVV-14-0566 and APVV-14-0506. Scopus

Mechanical separators and fabric filters are being used to remove airborne fine particles generated during the processing and handling of wood. Such particles might have a harmful effect on employee health, not only in small- but also in large-scale wood processing facilities. The amount of wood dust and its dispersion conditions vary according to geometric boundary conditions. Thus, the dispersion conditions could be changed by changing the linear size of the particles. Moreover, the smaller the particles are, the more harmful they can be. It is necessary to become familiar with properties, from a health point of view, of wood dust generated from processing. Wood dust has to be sucked away from the processing area. The fractional separation efficiency of wood dust can be improved using exhaust and filtering devices. Filtration efficiency depends on moisture content, particle size, and device performance. Because of the carcinogenicity of wood dust, the concentration of wood dust in air has to be monitored regularly. Based on the results hereof, a conclusion can be made that both mechanical separators of types SEA and SEB as well as the fabric filters with FINET PES 1 textile are suitable for the separation of wet saw dust from all types of wooden waste produced within the process.