Nanofibrillated cellulose originated from Rhododendron ponticum to produce scaffolds using 3D printing for biomedical applications.

Rhododendron ponticum is an invasive species that spreads rapidly and is described as one of the biggest threats to peatlands in Ireland. This study offers an innovative approach to utilizing Rhododendron waste. Initially, sawdust was submitted to a bleaching treatment and the nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) was obtained using two different methods: ultra-fine friction grinding and twin-screw extrusion with the assistance of TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy) pre-treatment. The samples processed through twin-screw extrusion exhibited the presence of NFC at five intervals, as confirmed by TEM analysis. However, these samples displayed a higher diameter deviation compared to those processed through grinding alone. Notably, after 20 extrusion steps, the NFC diameter became more uniform, reaching approximately 35 nm. Sedimentation tests showed that extrusion produced more homogeneous cellulose size than the grinder method. However, FTIR characterization for the samples showed a unique band related to C-O-C glycosidic linkage. The results showed that grinding breaks these groups resulting in crystallinity values lower than extrusion, 50 % compared 60 %. Therefore, NFC with 20 steps by grinding was blended with polycaprolactone to produce a 3D scaffold using a 3D printer at different ratios of 1-5 % addition. The effect of 1 % of NFC was unique showing significant enhanced mechanical properties compared to pure polycaprolactone (PCL), additionally, the NFC does not exhibit toxicity so these materials show promise for biomedical applications.

Green Copolymers and Nanocomposites from Myrcene and Limonene Using Algerian Nano-Clay as Nano-Reinforcing Filler.

In this work, we report a new facile method for the preparation of myrcene-limonene copolymers and nanocomposites using a Lewis acid as a catalyst (AlCl3) and organo-modified clay as a nano-reinforcing filler. The copolymer (myr-co-lim) was prepared by cationic copolymerization using AlCl3 as a catalyst. The structure of the obtained copolymer is studied and confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. By improving the dispersion of the matrix polymer in sheets of the organoclay, Maghnite-CTA+ (Mag-CTA+), an Algerian natural organophilic clay, was used to preparenanocomposites of linear copolymer (myr-co-lim). In order to identify and assess their structural, morphological, and thermal properties, the effect of the organoclay, used in varyingamounts (1, 4, 7, and 10% by weight), and the preparation process were investigated. The Mag-CTA+ is an organophylic montmorillonite silicate clay prepared through a direct exchange process in which they were used as green nano-reinforcing filler. The X-ray diffraction of the resulting nanocomposites revealed a considerable alteration in the interlayer spacing of Mag-CTA+. As a result, interlayer expansion and myr-co-lim exfoliation between layers of Mag-CTA+ were observed. Thermogravimetric analysis provided information on the synthesized nanocomposites' thermal properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electronic microscopy, respectively, were used to determine the structure and morphology of the produced nanocomposites (myr-co-lim/Mag). The intercalation of myr-co-lim in the Mag-CTA+ sheets has been supported by the results, and the optimum amount of organoclay needed to create a nanocomposite with high thermal stability is 10% by weight. Finally, a new method for the preparation of copolymer and nanocomposites from myrcene and limonene in a short reaction time was developed.

Green Nanocomposites from Rosin-Limonene Copolymer and Algerian Clay.

Green nanocomposites from rosin-limonene (Ros-Lim) copolymers based on Algerian organophilic-clay named Maghnite-CTA+ (Mag-CTA+) were prepared by in-situ polymerization using different amounts (1, 5 and 10% by weight) of Mag-CTA+ and azobisisobutyronitrile as a catalyst. The Mag-CTA+ is an organophilic montmorillonite silicate clay prepared through a direct exchange process; the clay was modified by ultrasonic-assisted method using cetyltrimethylammonuim bromide in which it used as green nano-filler.The preparation method of nanocomposites was studied in order to determine and improve structural, morphological, mechanical and thermal properties ofsin.The structure and morphology of the obtained nanocomposites(Ros-Lim/Mag-CTA+) were determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscopy and transmission electronic microscopy. The analyses confirmed the chemical modification of clay layers and the intercalation of rosin-limonene copolymer within the organophilic-clay sheets. An exfoliated structure was obtained for the lower amount of clay (1% wt of Mag-CTA+), while intercalated structures were detected for high amounts of clay (5 and 10% wt of Mag-CTA+). The thermal properties of the nanocomposites were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and show a significant improvement inthe thermal stability of the obtained nanocomposites compared to the purerosin-limonene copolymer (a degradation temperature up to 280 °C).

Time-Resolving Study of Stress-Induced Transformations of Isotactic Polypropylene through Wide Angle X-ray Scattering Measurements.

The development of a highly oriented fiber morphology by effect of tensile deformation of stereodefective isotactic polypropylene (iPP) samples, starting from the unoriented γ form, is studied by following the transformation in real time during stretching through wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) measurements. In the stretching process, after yielding, the initial γ form transforms into the mesomorphic form of iPP through mechanical melting and re-crystallization. The analysis of the scattering invariant measured in the WAXS region highlights that the size of the mesomorphic domains included in the well oriented fiber morphology obtained at high deformations increases through a process which involves the coalescence of the small fragments formed by effect of tensile stress during lamellar destruction with the domain of higher dimensions.