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The ability of alginates to form hydrogel solutions makes them a promising biomaterial for threedimensional (3D) printing. Researchers are investigating several techniques to improve the alginate hydrogels' quality, such as using alginate-based nanocomposites as materials for 3D printing. This review examines the material of alginate-based composites, the printing technique, and the applications of 3D printing alginate-based composites. Material composites for 3D printing include alginate with clay, a combination of alginate with polymers or biopolymers, and a mixture of alginate with metal oxide and carbon. The 3D printing material from alginate combined with polymers is usually used in the medical and green packaging industries, whereas a mixture of alginate with clay, metal oxide, and carbon 3D printing material is utilized in the environmental field. When considering printing procedures, extrusion techniques are the most affordable. Furthermore, the purpose of alginate composite characterization is to determine the impact generated by the material combinations. This characterization is carried out based on the intended application. However, it is common to employ mechanical, thermal, rheological, scanning electron, XRD, and FTIR analysis to identify the fundamental characteristics of the alginate composite according to research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sungkai (Peronema canescens Jack.), sengon (Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby & J.W. Grimes), and teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) are some of the main fast-growing species in Indonesia. Limited research data on the physicochemical and thermo-mechanical properties of these wood species represents a significant drawback for their enhanced industrial utilization. This study aimed to evaluate the properties of these three kinds of wood according to their colour by applying the CIELab colour measuring system, chemical composition by Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Pyrolysis–gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) analyses, and the thermo-mechanical properties by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The higher colour quantification (E*) value indicated brighter wood having higher carbohydrate and lower lignin content according to Py-GC/MS results. Besides, the colour may be attributed to the higher phenolic and extractive content. The order of woods from the highest to the lowest phenolic content was teak > sengon > sungkai. Meanwhile, DMA analysis revealed that sungkai had the highest storage modulus, followed by teak and sengon. The findings of this study suggested that the properties of wood could be predicted based on its colour appearance, which could be used in industrial applications for rapid identification of wood properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising concern of environmental issues from the non-degradable conventional polymers is triggering the development of sustainable and renewable polymers. Thermoplastic starch (TPS) has been known to have huge potential to substitute conventional synthetic polymers. A thermoplastic starch was prepared using a non-food bitter cassava starch with isosorbide as plasticizer. To improve the dispersion and interfacial affinity of thermoplastic starch and boost the compatibility between starch and isosorbide, citric acid (CA) was used as an additive. The influence of citric acid to the TPS was then investigated. The result shows that citric acid improved tensile strength from 8.68 MPa to 11.98 MPa. The addition of citric acid at a concentration of 1 – 10 wt % can increase glass transition temperature (Tg) from 48.81°C to 63.89°C and storage modulus at 25°C from 1.20 GPa to 3.47 GPa. Two degradation temperatures (Td) were detected which are Td1onset value was decrease from 83.32°C down to 79.78°C while Td2onset value was decrease from 275.29°C down to 247.17°C and Td2max from 311.12°C to 295.06°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]