Isolation and Characterization of Cellulose Nanofiber(CNF)from Kenaf(Hibiscus cannabinus)Bast through the Chemo-Mechanical Process

The present work emphasizes the isolation of cellulose nanofiber(CNF)from the kenaf(Hibiscus cannabinus)bast through a chemo-mechanical process.In order to develop high CNF yield with superior properties of CNF for improving compatibility in varied applications this method is proposed.The fiber purification involved pulping and bleaching treatments,whereas mechanical treatment was performed by grinding and high-pressure treatments.The kraft pulping as a delignification method followed by bleaching has successfully removed almost 99%lignin in the fiber with high pulp yield and delignification selectivity.The morphology of the fibers was characterized by scanning electron microscopy,which showed a smooth surface,fiber bundles,gel-shaped nanofiber,and an average size of 94.05 nm with 69%of CNF in 34–100 nm size.The chemo-mechanical process exhibited a more crystalline nature in CNF than pulp kenaf.The low zeta potential values exhibit the distribution of fibrils and colloidal suspension stability without any further agglomeration.A lower concentration of CNF is less stable exhibiting the product agglomeration.Therefore,the chemo-mechanical process for the isolation of CNF(Hibiscus cannabinus)from kenaf involves sustainable,low-cost,non-toxic,and cheap alternatives than other traditional methods.

A Comprehensive Analysis of the Thermo-Chemical Properties of Sudanese Biomass for Sustainable Applications

The chemical composition and thermal properties of natural fibers are the most critical variables that determine the overall properties of the fibers and influence their processing and use in different sustainable applications,such as their conversion into bioenergy and biocomposites.Their thermal and mechanical properties can be estimated by evaluating the content of cellulose,lignin,and other extractives in the fibers.In this research work,the chemical composition and thermal properties of three fibers,namely bagasse,kenaf bast fibers,and cotton stalks,were evaluated to assess their potential utilization in producing biocomposites and bioenergy materials.The chemical composition analysis followed the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry Standards(TAPPI)methods.The total phenol content was quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteu method,while Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR)was employed to assess the light absorption by the bonds.To evaluate thermal stability and higher heating values,Thermogravimetric Analysis(TGA),Differential Scanning Calorimetry(DSC),and bomb calorimetry were performed.The chemical analysis revealed that bagasse contained 50.6%cellulose and 21.6%lignin,kenaf bast fibers had 58.5%cellulose and 10%lignin,and cotton stalks exhibited 40.3%cellulose and 21.3%lignin.The FTIR curves demonstrated a notable similarity among the fibers.The TGA analysis showed degradation temperatures of 321°C for bagasse,354°C for kenaf bast fibers,and 289°C for cotton stalks.The DSC analysis revealed glass transition temperatures of 81°C for bagasse,66.3°C for cotton stalks,and 64.5°C for kenaf bast fibers.The higher heating values were measured as 17.3,16.6 and 17.1 MJ/kg for bagasse,kenaf bast fibers,and cotton stalks,respectively.The three fibers have a high potential for biocomposites and bioenergy material manufacturing.

Effects of Bast Fiber Seedling Film on Quality and Root Respiration Enzyme Activities of Seedlings of Different Rice Varieties

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of bast fiber seedling film on rice seedling growth. In this study, indica cultivar ＇Xiangwanxian 13＇ and indica hybrid cuitivar ＇Y Liangyou 1＇ were used to investigate the changes of aboveground part growth and root respiration enzyme activities of rice seedlings af- ter the application of bast fiber seedling film. The results showed that, compared with the CK, the accumulation of shoot biomass, chlorophyll content, root bleeding intensity, soluble sugar content, and nitrate nitrogen content were significantly im- proved with the application of bast fiber seedling film. In addition, the activities of malate dehydrogenas （MDH） and alcohol dehydrogenas （ADH） were higher in rice seedling roots raised with bast fiber seedling film, while there was no significant change in lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） after the application of bast fiber seedling film. However, there were no significant differences in these indexes between the two cultivars. All the results indicated that the growth and development of rice seedlings could be improved with the application of bast fiber seedling film.

Bast Fiber Starts to Shine

Bast fiber, which has not attracted that much attention before, is going to step up to be more recognized, so there comes the bast fiber fashion week, as an appetizer for the bast fiber promotion year.

Raw Materials of Chinese Traditional Handmade paper

Chinese traditional handmade papers,due to their numerous names,have been misunderstood by the public about raw materials for a long time.This manuscript aims to introduce the raw materials of traditional Chinese handmade paper in a botanical aspect in chronological order.Chinese handmade paper’s raw materials are divided into two groups,bast fiber and grass fiber.Bast fiber paper includes ramie-made rag paper,mulberry and paper mulberry paper,Thymelaeaceae paper,and vine paper.Stalk and grass fiber paper includes bamboo paper,grass paper,and stalk paper.

Manufacture of Light-weight Composite Panel from Kenaf

Light-weight composite panels were manufactured using kenaf core particles as core material and kenaf bast fiber-woven sheets as top and bottom surfaces. Methylene diphenyldiisocyanate (MDI) resin was used as the adhesive with the resin content of 4% for core particles and 50 g/m2 for bast fiber- woven sheets. The target board densities were set at 0.35, 0.45 and 0.55 g/cm3. The composite panels were evaluated with Japanese Industrial Standard for Particleboards (JIS A 5908- 2003).The results show that the composite panel has high modulus of rupture and internal bonding strength. The properties of 0.45 g/cm3 density composite panel are: MOR 20.4 MPa, MOE 1.94 MPa, IB 0.36 MPa, WA142%, TS 21%. Kenaf is a good raw material for making light-weight composite panels.