Search

Due to the possible effects of global warming, new materials that do not have a negative impact on the environment are being studied. To serve a variety of industries and outdoor applications, it is necessary to consider the impact of photoluminosity on the performance of biocomposites in order to accurately assess their durability characteristics and prevent substantial damage. Exposure to photoluminosity can result in adverse effects such as discoloration, uneven surface, loss of mass, and manipulation of the intrinsic mechanical properties of biocomposites. This study aims to evaluate general charcoal from three pyrolysis temperatures to understand which charcoal is most suitable for photoluminosity and whether higher pyrolysis temperatures have any significant effect on photoluminosity. Porosity, morphology, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of charcoal were analyzed. Charcoal obtained at a temperature of 800 °C demonstrates remarkable potential as a bioreinforcement in polymeric matrices, attributable to its significantly higher porosity (81.08%) and hydrophobic properties. The biocomposites were characterized for flexural strength, tensile strength, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR, and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed an improvement in tensile strength after exposure to photoluminosity, with an increase of 69.24%, 68.98%, and 54.38% at temperatures of 400, 600, and 800 °C, respectively, in relation to the treatment control. It is notorious that the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity after photoluminosity initially had a negative impact on mechanical strength, the incorporation of charcoal from higher pyrolysis temperatures showed a substantial increase in mechanical strength after exposure to photoluminosity, especially at 800 °C with breaking strength of 53.40 MPa, and modulus of elasticity of 4364.30 MPA. Scanning electron microscopy revealed an improvement in morphology, with a decrease in roughness at 800 °C, which led to greater adhesion to the polyester matrix. These findings indicate promising prospects for a new type of biocomposite, particularly in comparison with other polymeric compounds, especially in engineering applications that are subject to direct interactions with the weather.

Tannins are polyphenols that can be extracted from different parts of the plant and have different known commercial applications. The extraction of tannins generates a significant amount of low-density wastes. An alternative that can be applied to ensure energy reuse of this low-density waste is a densification process, such as briquetting. Thus, this research work aimed to assess the energy potential of the residue from the extraction of tannins of different forest species, aiming at its energy reuse in the form of briquettes. Stem barks of 6 forest species (Acacia mangium, AM; Anacardium occidentale, AO; Anadenanthera colubrina, AC; Azadirachta indica, AI; Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia, MC; Mimosa tenuiflora, MT) were used after tannin extraction. Bulk density, energy (higher, lower, and net heating value) and thermal (TG/DTG) properties, and chemical constitution (extractives, lignin, and holocellulose) of the materials were determined. In addition, briquette compaction ratio, apparent density, volumetric expansion, and water adsorption over the days were evaluated. The highest bulk densities were found in the barks of Anadenanthera colubrina (0.529 g.cm -3 ) and Mimosa tenuiflora (0.407 g.cm -3 ), whereas the species that showed the best result of higher heating value was Acacia mangium (20.44 MJ.kg -1 ), followed by Azadirachta indica (19.39 MJ.kg -1 ) and Mimosa caesalpiniifolia (18.85 MJ.kg -1 ). Briquetting increased the density of the evaluated material by 2.3 to 4.9 times. All briquettes produced with wastes from tannin extraction evaluated in this work showed potential for energy production. With more information on the quantification of waste generated and data on the economic viability of production, these tannin-producing industries can benefit both environmentally and economically, by reusing these wastes for energy production., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Pterogyne nitens is commonly known in northeastern Brazil as a lesser-known fast-growing species in the Caatinga biome, which is a difficult place for tree development due to the low natural fertility soils and low availability of water. Due to the importance of expanding information about the anatomical wood properties of Caatinga native species, the aim of this work was to characterize the anatomical elements, to macroscopically describe the wood and make inferences about its possible end-uses. Maceration was performed which enabled measuring fiber dimensions, pore frequency and the following technological indexes: cell wall fraction, slenderness ratio, Runkel index and flexibility coefficient. Histological sections enabled describing the arrangements of the cellular elements in different observation sections and to determine the pore diameter. P. nitens wood has anatomical arrangements characterized by confluent axial parenchyma, being diffuse-porous with the presence of tylosis and heterogeneous/stratified rays (biseriate). The fibers were classified as very short (length 0.81 mm), not flexible and Runkel index 0.82. The pores were few in number with a frequency of 32.9 pores/mm 2 , distributed in a diffuse format and many were obstructed by tylosis. Based on the anatomical results and considering other technological studies, P. nitens wood is most suitable for charcoal production., (© 2021. The Author(s).)