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Printed electronic paper identifies its interest in flexible organic electronics and sustainable and clean energy applications because of its straightforward production method, cost‐effectiveness, and positive environmental impact. However, current limitations include restricted material thickness and the use of supporting substrate for printing. Here, 2D and 3D electronic patterned paper are fabricated from direct ink writing (DIW) nanocellulose and PEDOT:PSS‐based materials using syringe deposition and 3D printing. The conductor patterns are integrated in the bulk of the paper, while non‐conductive sections are used as support to form free‐standing paper. The strong interface between the patterns of electronic patterned paper gives mechanical stability for practical handling. The conductive paper‐based electrode has 202 S cm−1 and is capable of handling electric current up to 0.7 A, which can be used for high‐power devices. Printed supercapacitor papers show high specific energy of 4.05 Wh kg−1, specific power of 4615 W kg−1 at 0.06 A g−1, and capacitance retention above 95% after 2000 cycles. The new design structure of electronic patterned papers presents a solution for additive manufacturing of paper‐based composites for supercapacitors, wearable electronics, or sensors for smart packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for achieving sustainable technologies has encouraged research on renewable and biodegradable materials for novel products that are clean, green, and environmentally friendly. Nanocellulose (NC) has many attractive properties such as high mechanical strength and flexibility, large specific surface area, in addition to possessing good wet stability and resistance to tough chemical environments. NC has also been shown to easily integrate with other materials to form composites. By combining it with conductive and electroactive materials, many of the advantageous properties of NC can be transferred to the resulting composites. Conductive polymers, in particular poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene:poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), have been successfully combined with cellulose derivatives where suspensions of NC particles and colloids of PEDOT:PSS are made to interact at a molecular level. Alternatively, different polymerization techniques have been used to coat the cellulose fibrils. When processed in liquid form, the resulting mixture can be used as a conductive ink. This review outlines the preparation of NC/PEDOT:PSS composites and their fabrication in the form of electronic nanopapers, filaments, and conductive aerogels. We also discuss the molecular interaction between NC and PEDOT:PSS and the factors that affect the bonding properties. Finally, we address their potential applications in energy storage and harvesting, sensors, actuators, and bioelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple covered lagoons are used to treat wastewater from commercial pig farms in Cambodia into biogas. The electricity is generated from biogas using a generator. However, high level of H2S corrodes or breaks down the generator. This study aims to desulfurize biogas with commercial ferrous oxide pellets (Fe2O3). The effects of desulfurization system on biogas production, electricity generation, and CO2 reduction are discussed. The results show that H2S was reduced from 2,000 ppm before treatment to around 50 ppm after treatment. CH4 (57.7 ± 8.76%) and CO2 (24.7 ± 2.67%) contents were not affected by desulfurization. O2 content was changed from 0.3 to 4.8%. High O2 level was a sign of pipe leakage, lowering CH4 and eventually electricity production. The increase of O2 level decreased CH4, thus lowering generator performance. Actual electrical output power produced from biogas was 368.5 ± 29.3 kW, with loading rates of 57.6 ± 4.6% and generator efficiency of 26.8 ± 1.7%. Estimated amounts of 22,818 tCO2equ were reduced by the biogas system. The desulfurization system was highly effective in H2S removal without affecting biogas quality. For the long-term biogas systems in Cambodia, local-made desulfurization systems should be tested and compared with imported products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interphase properties in nanocomposites indicate the interaction between filler and matrix, which is dependent on the preparation method, shape, and size of filler and the chemical interaction between two phases. Local chemical environment in polymer matrix give rise to the different dielectric properties compared to that of bulk material. These properties allow the understanding of their effects on the dielectric properties and glass transition (Tg) of the nanocomposites. In this study, interphase power law model was used to predict the interphase properties based on the experimental dielectric constant of polyimide (PI) with BaTiO3, TiO2, and ZrO2 nanocomposites. They were prepared via in situ polymerization of PI whose dielectric constant were increased at interphase filler volume fraction of BaTiO3, TiO2, and ZrO2 at 3.8, 2.05, and 1.7, respectively. These results indicate that PI/ceramics nanocomposites had poor dispersion and weak interphase interaction between the filler and the matrix, as an evidence of scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results. However, PI incorporated with high aspect ratio of BaTiO3 nanofiber shows better dispersion than nanocomposites of TiO2 and ZrO2 filled PI; therefore provide higher dielectric constant and Tg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice is the main staple crop, followed by cassava and corn in Cambodia. Annually, million tons of these crops are produced with the particularly need is its grain or root. After harvesting, these crop residues are usually collected for various purposes. Some of them are burned (the easiest option for farmers), which leads to loss nutrients and air and environmental pollution. However, it is limited report on these crop wastes production and utilization, and the crop residues management remain a challenge in Cambodia. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess to what extent that crop residues are available for further processing in Cambodia manufacture. Two hundred eighty eight key informers, were selected purposively to be interviewed through structure-questionnaire interview. The results showed that the crop residues were produced annually approximately 8.6, 0.9, and 2.9 million ton for rice, corn and cassava, respectively. The rice straw was collected for supplementary feed to cattle, vegetable mulch-based and mushroom production. The cassava stem was collected for next year planting and selling to other farmers. In term of quantity, the crop residues collection was just to meet the household's utilizations and the remaining are burned. For better crop waste management and practice, other alternative uses, for instance development of packaging products, construction materials, paper and renewable energy such as biogas and bio-energy using these residues, will change the open-field option and add value chains to the farm owners and rural people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of internet of things (IoTs) applications has led to the development of a new generation of light‐weight, flexible, and cost‐effective electronics. These devices and sensors have to be simultaneously easily replaceable and disposable while being environmentally sustainable. Thus, the introduction of new functionalized materials with mechanical flexibility that can be processed using large‐area and facile fabrication methods (as, for example, printing technologies) has become a matter of great interest in the scientific community. In this context, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are renewable, affordable, robust, and nontoxic materials that are rapidly emerging as components for eco‐friendly electronics. Their combination with conductive polymers (CPs) to obtain conductive nanopapers (CNPs) allows moving their functionality from just substrates to active components of the device. In this work, a route for the inkjet‐printing of organic diodes is outlined. The proposed strategy is based on the use of CNPs as both substrates and bottom electrodes onto which insulator and organic semiconducting layers are deposited to fabricate novel diode structures. Remarkable rectification ratios of up to 1.2 × 103 at |3 V| and a current density up to 5.1 µA cm−2 are achieved. As a proof‐of‐concept of the potentiality of the approach for versatile, low‐temperature, and disposable sensing applications, an NO2 gas sensor is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demands of the usage of hazardous ingredients for sulfur curing system in latex industries decrease with an increase in health-conscious and environmental awareness. This work demonstrates the incorporation of cassava starch (CS) as biodegradable fillers with natural rubber latex (NRL) through a sulfur-free crosslinking technique using radiation pre-vulcanization natural rubber latex (RVNRL) in comparison to sulfur pre-vulcanized natural rubber latex (PvNRL). The 20% CS dispersion was prepared, and 5–25 phr of dispersed CS content were compounded with NRL and formed into films by the coagulant dipping method. Microstructures and crystallinity of the films were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction, and their mechanical properties of NRL/CS films were characterized by tensile and tear tests. The result revealed that the crystallinity of RVNRL films was lower than PvNRL films. The total bond of S−C from PvNRL contributes to high tensile strength compared to C−C intermolecular rubber bond from radiation vulcanization system. The trend of decrement of tensile properties from sulfur crosslinking was larger than radiation crosslinking, and both systems gave similar tensile behavior at 25 phr of CS content. This attributed to the better dispersion of CS in RVNRL as confirmed by SEM micrographs. It was found that the optimum tear strength of RVNRL/CS and PvNRL/CS films was obtained at 10 and 5 phr of filler content, respectively. The result presented in this study may facilitate a contribution to the current literature on the development of latex film by radiation pre-vulcanization for rubber industry in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work demonstrates the significant interphase region of polyimide/titanium dioxide nanofiber nanocomposite. Interphase characteristics of nanocomposites were calculated using Interphase Power Model. It revealed that the interphase volume fraction and interphase dielectric constant were proportionately increased with filler loading at least up to 20%. The increasing trend of interphase dielectric constant signifies a loosely bounded polymeric chain onto the filler surfaces giving the interphase volume constant k as 2.05. However, the ratio of interphase volume to that of the filler volume progressively decreased which was attributed to the effect of agglomeration of filler and percolation of overlapping interphase region to yield an average interphase thickness of 81 ± 10 nm. By designing the complex function of interfacial interaction through the surface activity between the filler and matrix, the interphase region can be appropriately monitored in understanding its effects on glass transition and dielectric constant of the nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we prepare cellulose nanopapers of high mechanical performance and with the electrical conductivity of a semiconductor. Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) from bleached softwood pulp were coated with polypyrrole (PPy) via in situ chemical polymerization, in presence of iron chloride (III) as oxidant agent. The structure and morphology of nanopapers were studied, as well as their thermal, mechanical and conductive properties. Nanopaper from pure CNF exhibited a very high tensile response (224 MPa tensile strength and 14.5 GPa elastic modulus). The addition of up to maximum 20% of polypyrrole gave CNF/PPy nanopapers of high flexibility and still good mechanical properties (94 MPa strength and 8.8 GPa modulus). The electrical conductivity of the resulting CNF/PPy nanopaper was of 5.2 10 −2 S cm −1 , with a specific capacitance of 7.4 F g −1 . The final materials are strong and conductive nanopapers that can find application as biodegradable flexible thin-film transistor (TFT) or as flexible biosensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the feasibility of converting dead leaf biomass into green activated carbon for use as a reinforcement filler in natural rubber composites was assessed. The dead leaf activated carbon (DLAC) was prepared by pyrolysis at 550, 700, 900, and 1000 °C at a heating rate of 10 °C min−1 under nitrogen gas flow of 100 cm3 min−1 and was activated by CO 2 gas at the same flow rate when the pyrolysis temperature was reached. The properties of DLACs were characterized by particle size analysis, density, scanning electron microscopy, elemental energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The results revealed that the DLAC obtained by pyrolysis at 1000 °C had a small particle size of 28.86 μm; a highly porous structure; high carbon purity, at 82.58%; and a low density, at 1.588 g cm−3. The effect of different DLAC contents (5, 10, and 15 phr) on the curing properties and the physical and mechanical performance of the rubber composites was investigated and compared with rubber composites containing carbon black (CB). The results showed that the addition of DLAC increased the maximum torque and reduced the scorch and cure times. The tensile strength for rubber composites containing 15 phr of DLAC increased by 8%, the M100 and M300 improved 40%, and the elongation at break and crosslink density decreased by approximately 5% and 24%, respectively. The studied DLAC is a promising, cost-effective alternative to commercial carbon black for improving the performance of rubber composites. Image 1 • From dead leaf biomass to Dead leaf activated carbon (DLAC) by pyrolysis. • Potential use of DLAC as reinforcement filler in natural rubber. • DLAC filled rubber give similar mechanical properties to carbon black filled rubber. • DLAC is a promising cost effective to commercial carbon black in rubber composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to compare the physical and mechanical performance of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and nylon 6 fabricated using fused deposition modeling (FDM) and conventional injection molding. It is found that different processing methods did not affect the viscosity of the samples, and the percentage difference for the density measurement is less than 4%. Water absorption of FDM samples is approximately 108% higher compared to those fabricated using the injection molding. The results also revealed that the FDM method did not strongly affect the degree of crystallinity of ABS, but it increased the degree of crystallinity of PLA and nylon 6. The tensile strength, Young's modulus, elongation at break, and impact strength of FDM samples were approximately 48%, 50%, 48%, and 78%, lower compared with the injection molded samples. The results presented can provide a guide to manufacturing the final products using FDM with the desired performance. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to synthesize new series of polysiloxane copolymer through hydrosilylation reaction based on different level of crosslink densities and phenyl content. The results revealed that polysiloxanes resins with phenyl rings increased viscosity up to 3800 cps while displaying a relatively high refractive index of 1.531. The asymmetric phenyl substitution onto chain backbone led to formation of densely packed structure resulting in reduced water absorption and gas permeability of PDMS resins. High level of crosslinking contributed to a high shore A hardness and adhesion strength. It displayed transparency of 97% whose percentage reduction was 1.6% under thermal and 0.6% UV aging. No obvious discoloration was observed during accelerated thermal aging up to 210 min at 80 °C. These results are key attributes that make the synthesized polysiloxane series as ideal candidate for high brightness LED encapsulant. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47895. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current work, flexible, lightweight, and strong conductive nanopapers based on cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and/or polypyrrole (PPy) were prepared by following a mixing and in situ chemical polymerization method. A successful homogeneous coating of PEDOT:PSS on cellulose nanofibers occurred by means hydrogen-bonding interactions between the hydroxyl functionalized CNF and the electronically charged PEDOT:PSS, as shown by FTIR spectra. The electrical conductivity and the specific capacitance of CNF-PEDOT:PSS nanopapers were 2.58 S cm −1 and 6.21 F g −1 , respectively. Further coating of PPy produced a substantial improvement on the electrical conductivity (10.55 S cm −1 ) and the specific capacitance (315.5 F g −1 ) of the resulting CNF-PEDOT:PSS-PPy nanopaper. A synergistic phenomenon between both conductive polymers supported the high electrical conductivity and specific capacitance of the ternary formulation. Moreover, CNF-PEDOT:PSS-PPy nanopaper showed higher mechanical properties and it was more flexible than the nanopaper containing only polypyrrole conducting polymer (CNF-PPy). It is concluded that the good mechanical, electrical and electrochemical properties of the ternary formulation can apply for smart nanopaper in flexible electronics and energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current work, flexible, lightweight, and strong conductive nanopapers based on cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and/or polypyrrole (PPy) were prepared by following a mixing and in situ chemical polymerization method. A successful homogeneous coating of PEDOT:PSS on cellulose nanofibers occurred by means hydrogen-bonding interactions between the hydroxyl functionalized CNF and the electronically charged PEDOT:PSS, as shown by FTIR spectra. The electrical conductivity and the specific capacitance of CNF-PEDOT:PSS nanopapers were 2.58Scm -1 and 6.21Fg -1 , respectively. Further coating of PPy produced a substantial improvement on the electrical conductivity (10.55Scm -1 ) and the specific capacitance (315.5Fg -1 ) of the resulting CNF-PEDOT:PSS-PPy nanopaper. A synergistic phenomenon between both conductive polymers supported the high electrical conductivity and specific capacitance of the ternary formulation. Moreover, CNF-PEDOT:PSS-PPy nanopaper showed higher mechanical properties and it was more flexible than the nanopaper containing only polypyrrole conducting polymer (CNF-PPy). It is concluded that the good mechanical, electrical and electrochemical properties of the ternary formulation can apply for smart nanopaper in flexible electronics and energy storage devices., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)