| 1. |
- Das, Oisik, et al.
(författare)
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Naturally-occurring bromophenol to develop fire retardant gluten biopolymers
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 243
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of the study was to impart fire retardancy in wheat gluten polymer through naturally-occurring additives such as lanosol. The fire properties of lanosol were compared with two other conventional brominated fire retardants (Tetrabromobisphenol A and Hexabromocyclododecane). Samples containing fire retardants and gluten were prepared through compression moulding process and then characterised for their fire and mechanical properties. All fire retardants enhanced the reaction-to-fire and thermal properties of gluten while generating V-0 (i.e. vertical position and self-extinguished) ratings in the UL-94 test. The presence of all the fire retardants increased the modulus of the gluten polymer but the fire retardant particles were detrimental for the tensile strength. Nevertheless, lanosol addition delayed ignition and lowered peak heat release rate of gluten by the maximum amount, thereby leading to relatively higher fire performance index (compared to the other fire retardants). Lanosol also allowed the gluten to create a dense char barrier layer during burning that impeded the transfer of heat and flammable volatiles. The fact that only 4 wt% lanosol was able to cause self-extinguishment under direct flame and reduce peak heat release rate by a significant 50% coupled with its inherent occurrence in nature, raises the question if lanosol can be a potential fire retardant in polymeric systems, although it is a bromophenol.
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| 2. |
- Hosseini, Seyedehsan, 1994
(författare)
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Additive-Driven Improvements in Interfacial Properties and Processing of TMP-Polymer Composites
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Efforts to address environmental concerns have resulted in new regulations designed to plan the reduction of plastic and synthetic polymer usage, necessitating the search for sustainable natural alternatives with comparable cost-effectiveness and mechanical performance. Thermomechanical pulp (TMP) fibres are one of the most affordable natural fibres that have no chemical refining in production, production have a high yield of 90-98% and TMP fibres have been demonstrated to improve the mechanical characteristics (strength, stiffness and toughness) of wood-polymer composites (WPCs) compared to the pure polymer. The integration of TMP fibres with non-polar synthetic polymers remains a challenge due to surface polarity differences. This PhD thesis aims to ease the processing of TMP fibre composites through the incorporation of additives. The hypothesis posits that incorporating magnesium stearate (MgSt), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) as additives in TMP composites will enhance interfacial properties, resulting in improved processability and flow behaviour at high temperatures. MoS2 is known for its interaction with lignin, which exists in TMP and MgSt is recognised for its ability to improve flow in pharmaceutical processing when combined with cellulose, also a component of TMP. AKD modifies the hydrophilic properties of lignocellulosic surfaces. The experimental work explores the effect of these additives on the properties of TMP composites of ethylene acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) and polypropylene (PP) matrices. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and mechanical analysis results reveal that MoS2 exhibits superior interaction with TMP fibres, yielding enhanced interfacial properties compared to MgSt in between EAA and TMP fibres. Rheological studies elucidate the transition from a fluid-like state to a network-like structure upon the incorporation of TMP into the PP matrix. The incorporation of AKD with C18 reduces the viscosity of TMP-PP composites and PP itself, and, as determined through theoretical Hansen solubility parameter (HSP) calculations, increases compatibility between cellulose in TMP fibres and PP. The addition of AKD influences both the colour (lighter) and shape (smoother surface) of the extrudate filaments in the TMP-PP composites, indicative of improved processing. In addition, frictional analysis demonstrates the reduction of the coefficient of friction (COF) between metal and TMP fibre by MgSt and AKD treatments.
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| 3. |
- Javed, Asif, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
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Lignin-containing coatings for packaging materials—pilot trials
- 2021
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Ingår i: Polymers. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4360. ; 13:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- One severe weakness of most biopolymers, in terms of their use as packaging materials, is their relatively high solubility in water. The addition of kraft lignin to starch coating formulations has been shown to reduce the water solubility of starch in dry coatings. However, lignin may also migrate into aqueous solutions. For this paper, kraft lignin isolated using the LignoBoost process was used in order to examine the effect of pH level on the solubility of lignin with and without ammonium zirconium carbonate (AZC). Machine-glazed (MG) paper was coated in a pilot coating machine, with the moving substrate at high speed, and laboratory-coated samples were used as a reference when measuring defects (number of pinholes). Kraft lignin became soluble in water at lower pH levels when starch was added to the solution, due to the interactions between starch and lignin. This made it possible to lower the pH of the coating solutions, resulting in increased water stability of the dry samples; that is, the migration of lignin to the model liquids decreased when the pH of the coating solutions was reduced. No significant difference was observed in the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) between high and low pH for the pilot-coated samples. The addition of AZC to the formulation reduced the migration of lignin from the coatings to the model liquids and led to an increase in the water contact angle, but also increased the number of pinholes in the pilot-coated samples. © 2021 by the authors
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| 4. |
- Khataee, Amirreza, et al.
(författare)
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Asymmetric cycling of vanadium redox flow batteries with a poly(arylene piperidinium)-based anion exchange membrane
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Power Sources. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-7753 .- 1873-2755. ; 483
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The potential application of a 50 μm thick anion exchange membrane prepared based on poly(terphenyl piperidinium-co-trifluoroacetophenone) (PTPT) is investigated for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). The PTPT exhibits a considerably lower vanadium permeation than Nafion 212. Therefore, the self-discharge duration of the VRFB based on PTPT is much longer than the VRFB based on Nafion 212. Besides, PTPT shows oxidative stability almost as good as Nafion 212 during immersion in an ex-situ immersion test for more than 400 h. Comparing the VRFB performance when symmetric and asymmetric electrolyte volumes are used yields interesting results. The results show that asymmetric cycling is more effective and efficient for the VRFB assembled with PTPT than Nafion 212 as the capacity fade of 0.03% cycle−1, and the highest coulombic efficiency of 98.8% is attained. Furthermore, the color change of the membrane during cycling can be reversed using a straightforward post-treatment method.
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| 5. |
- Zubritskaya, Irina, 1984, et al.
(författare)
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Dynamically Tunable Optical Cavities with Embedded Nematic Liquid Crystalline Networks
- 2023
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Ingår i: Advanced Materials. - : Wiley. - 0935-9648 .- 1521-4095. ; 35:13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tunable metal–insulator–metal (MIM) Fabry–Pérot (FP) cavities that can dynamically control light enable novel sensing, imaging and display applications. However, the realization of dynamic cavities incorporating stimuli-responsive materials poses a significant engineering challenge. Current approaches rely on refractive index modulation and suffer from low dynamic tunability, high losses, and limited spectral ranges, and require liquid and hazardous materials for operation. To overcome these challenges, a new tuning mechanism employing reversible mechanical adaptations of a polymer network is proposed, and dynamic tuning of optical resonances is demonstrated. Solid-state temperature-responsive optical coatings are developed by preparing a monodomain nematic liquid crystalline network (LCN) and are incorporated between metallic mirrors to form active optical microcavities. LCN microcavities offer large, reversible and highly linear spectral tuning of FP resonances reaching wavelength-shifts up to 40 nm via thermomechanical actuation while featuring outstanding repeatability and precision over more than 100 heating–cooling cycles. This degree of tunability allows for reversible switching between the reflective and the absorbing states of the device over the entire visible and near-infrared spectral regions, reaching large changes in reflectance with modulation efficiency ΔR = 79%.
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| 6. |
- Mastantuoni, Gabriella G.
(författare)
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Engineering of lignin in wood towards functional materials
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Through 270 million years of evolution, the finely tuned hierarchical structure of wood has been optimized for efficient nutrient transport and exceptional mechanical stability. Its distinctive orthotropic constitution can provide inspiration and design opportunities for the development of novel functional materials. In recent years, top-down modification approaches have adapted the wood structure for innovative applications, utilizing the hierarchical arrangement at different length scales. In doing so, preserving the structural integrity is of the essence.This thesis explores new top-down modification techniques for the functionalization and structural control of wood-based materials. With the intent of better preserving and utilizing the natural wood organization and native components, two different modification routes were explored on softwood Scots pine: complete lignin removal and in-situ lignin modification. Complete delignification was achieved through preventive crosslinking of the polysaccharide matrix, enhancing intercellular adhesion between tracheids and preventing the disintegration of the cellular arrangement after lignin removal. The second approach focused on chemical modification of lignin by sulfonation as an alternative to complete lignin removal, resulting in wood templates of high negative charge up to 375 µmol g-1 and with well-preserved residual lignin. Hot compression of the delignified wood veneers produced thin wood films with high optical transmittance of 71 % alongside exceptional tensile strength of 449 MPa and Young’s modulus of 50 GPa. Densification of lignin-retaining wood veneers yielded strong and transparent thin films with UV blocking ability. Additionally, these densified films could be easily recycled into discrete wood fibers. The integration of conductive polymers including poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and polypyrrole in in-situ sulfonated wood resulted in bio-composites with high conductivity up to 203 S m-1 and high pseudo-capacitance up to 38 mF cm-2, indicating that tailoring the wood chemistry and activating the redox activity of lignin by sulfonation are important strategies for the fabrication of composites with potential for sustainable energy applications. By tailoring both wood chemistry and morphology, a wood foam with unique microstructure, enhanced permeability, along with high ultimate strength of 9 MPa and Young’s modulus of 364 MPa was obtained. When combined with the conductive polymer PEDOT:PSS, the composite demonstrated uniform conductivity of 215 S m-1 and mechanoresponsive electrical resistance, showing promise in sensing and mechanoresponsive devices.Therefore, in-situ engineering of lignin proved to be a versatile toolkit to obtain wood templates of improved permeability and porosity, greater compliance to densification, and enhanced compatibility with conductive polymers.
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| 7. |
- Töpel, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Verifiering av sterilisering i processen för materialåtervinning av plast
- 2024
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Den nationella plastkartläggningen visade att år 2017 användes över 813 miljoner engångsprodukter av plast inom hälso- och sjukvården i Sverige. Den största delen av detta avfall hanteras genom förbränning, och för att minska den miljöpåverkan detta leder till har ett antal initiativ tagits för att inkludera materialet i slutna kretslopp, där plasten används i samma applikation på nytt och där materialets höga kvalité kan behållas.För att kunna göra det på ett säkert sätt krävs dock att materialet kan steriliseras för att vara säkert att hantera. Detta projekt har haft som mål att ta fram en metod för att mäta den eventuella steriliseringsprocess som sker när plast återvinns i den så kallade regranuleringsprocessen. Denna process innebär att plasten mals ner och smälts vid omkring 200°C. Om denna process är effektiv för att sterilisera materialet behövs inget separat steriliseringssteg innan regranuleringen. Vi har i projektet tillsatt bakterien Bacillus atrophaeus, en organism som ofta används för verifiering av sterilisering, till regranuleringen av LDPE-plast.Vi har sedan utvärderat olika metoder för att extrahera DNA från det regranulerade materialet samt utvecklat en qPCR-metod för att kvantifiera antalet överlevande bakterier. På så sätt har vi försökt mäta den eventuella steriliseringen av det regranulerade plastmaterialet.Resultatet visar att det fortfarande finns svårigheter att frigöra DNA-molekylerna från plasten, och att detta steg även kan ha en negativ påverkan på DNA-kvalitén. qPCR-metoden kan detektera B. atrophaeus och visar i ett separat värmeexperiment på en förväntad steriliseringseffekt över tid.Denna effekt kunde dock inte reproduceras i de labbförsök som utfördes med extruder (en utrustning som används för att pressa smält plastgranulat till den profil som önskas). Ett antal möjliga förklaringar till detta, samt förslag till vidare forskning presenteras avslutningsvis i rapporten. Exempel på fortsatta forskningsfrågor som presenteras är; fördelning av bakterier i plastmassan, inneslutande av celler i plastmaterialet, steriliseringseffekt i extrudern samt metod för bestrykning av bioindikator.
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| 8. |
- Guo, Weijin, et al.
(författare)
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Immunoassays on thiol-ene synthetic paper generate a superior fluorescence signal
- 2020
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Ingår i: Biosensors & bioelectronics. - : Elsevier. - 0956-5663 .- 1873-4235. ; 163
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The fluorescence-based detection of biological complexes on solid substrates is widely used in microarrays and lateral flow tests. Here, we investigate thiol-ene micropillar scaffold sheets (“synthetic paper”) as the solid substrate in such assays. Compared to state-of-the-art glass and nitrocellulose substrates, assays on synthetic paper provide a stronger fluorescence signal, similar or better reproducibility, lower limit of detection (LOD), and the possibility of working with lower immunoreagent concentrations. Using synthetic paper, we detected the antibiotic enrofloxacin in whole milk with a LOD of 1.64 nM, which is on par or better than the values obtained with other common tests, and much lower than the maximum level allowed by European Union regulations. The significance of these results lays in that they indicate that synthetically-derived microstructured substrate materials have the potential to improve the performance of diagnostic assays.
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| 9. |
- Garemark, Jonas
(författare)
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Integrated Cellulosic Wood Aerogel Structures
- 2022
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Highly porous aerogels based on renewable materials that possess structural functionality are appealing for sustainable energy regulation and harvesting. Achieving structural anisotropy provides advantageous directional diffusion and mechanical strength, however, introduces great engineering challenges, such as complex, costly, and time-consuming processing. Direct use of wood, where nanocellulose is favorably orientated, offers the opportunity of forming low-cost, scalable, and eco-friendly aerogels.This thesis explores a new type of nanostructured wood material design by filling the empty wood space with cellulosic aerogel structures based on its intrinsic biopolymers. The structure control is achieved through selective reassembly of the cell wall nanocomponents by cell wall partial dissolution and regeneration. The resultant structures, named integrated wood aerogels, show a unique combination of high specific surface area and strength due to partial retention of the wood hierarchical structure and formation of mesoporous nanofibrillated networks occupying the lumen. Different chemical systems are investigated, including DMAc/LiCl, ionic liquid (IL), and aqueous NaOH, and the processing-structure-property relationships are investigated. DMAc/LiCl is successfully used as proof of concept for integrated wood aerogel formation, but moisture sensitivity and toxicity of the system hinder further development. The IL [MTBD][MMP] is developed to solve the issues and to improve the structure control in cell wall dissolution and regeneration. An aqueous NaOH system advances the integrated cellulosic wood aerogel preparation further, considering low cost and greener chemistry. Wood composition, lignin in particular, is critical to the processing and final properties of the integrated wood aerogel. The influence of lignin content is investigated based on IL and NaOH systems. The influence of processing (such as chemical system, time and temperature) on the structure and properties (e.g. porosity, specific surface area, mechanical performance, thermal conductivity and charge density) of the aerogels are studied. Ascribing to the structure-property profile, the application of the integrated aerogel for efficient thermal insulation is demonstrated. Inspired by the water uptake in plants, high-performing pH-responsive wood power generators are formed based on water evaporation-induced electricity. The integrated aerogel structure greatly increases the solid/liquid interphase while allowing excellent mass diffusion.The methodologies presented in this thesis for selective nanoscale reassembly of the wood cell wall pave the way for advanced wood nanostructure control. The integrated wood aerogel structure reported here provides a universal material platform for advanced material design, such as a self-sustaining wood power generator. The facile and scalable processing contribute toward sustainable high-performing bioaerogels which can compete with fossil-based materials.
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| 10. |
- Hosseinpourpia, Reza, 1983-, et al.
(författare)
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Hydrophobic Formulations Based on Tall Oil Distillation Products for High-Density Fiberboards
- 2020
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Ingår i: Materials. - : MDPI. - 1996-1944 .- 1996-1944. ; 13:18, s. 1-13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study investigates the effect of renewable formulations based on tall oil bio-refinery products on the water vapor sorption and interfiber strength of cellulosic fibers as well as on the properties of high-density fiberboard (HDF) panels. The results obtained for HDF prepared using renewable formulations were compared to the results for HDF obtained using conventional synthetic paraffin wax (hydrowax), which is the hydrophobic agent currently utilized by the industry. Four tall oil distillation products (TODPs) with different levels of fatty and rosin acids were used for preparing the hydrophobic formulations with furfuryl alcohol as an organic solvent. According to determinations with an automated vapor sorption apparatus, the formulations had a similar effect with hydrowax on the sorption behavior of natural fibers. Unlike to hydrowax treatment, the ultimate tensile strength of cellulosic paper-sheets treated with the formulations remained unchanged or significantly increased. At the standard addition load of 1% (wt/wt dry fibers) of the formulations, HDF panels showed comparable and only in one case, e.g., TODP3-based formulation, slightly higher thickness swelling (24 h) than those with hydrowax. The best performing formulation (TODP2-based) in terms of tensile strength of paper sheets did not significantly change the mechanical properties of HDF panels in both standard climate and high humid conditions. Promising results at the standard and humid climate conditions were obtained for HDF panels manufactured with higher TODP2-based formulation amounts (3-5%) and reduced melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin content (10-12% instead of 14%, wt dry resin/wt dry fibers).
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