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Citrus greening disease (CGD), or Huanglongbing (HLB), is principal in Citrus farming because of its severe damage, decreased yield, poor quality of fruit, and frequent disappearance before harvest. Present research blended silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) colloid with chitooligomers and monomers (COAMs) to create the composites referred to as a "hybrid solution". The hybrid solution has been synthesized for antimicrobial effects and plant growth stimulation. The hybrid solution was applied to cure the CGD, which was then tested using the results of the iodine test kit. Study results revealed that the mechanism for antibacterial properties is efficient and leads to cell death by silver ions (positive charge) attached to the cell wall of pathogens (negative charge). COAMs increase AgNPs' ability to adhere to negatively charged bacterial cytoplasmic membranes and amplify their electrostatic interaction. There are synergistic antibacterial effects of AgNPs–COAMs. The findings reveal a notable increase in the shoot length of leaves which may be the reason for the growth stimulation function of the hybrid solution due to the properties of COAMs as a biostimulant. The hybrid solution-treated trees yielded around 104.50 ± 4.56 kg of fruits by the trunk or foliar application. Citrus fruits did not show the presence of any silver residues, as displayed by the results of the accumulation test. Compared to conventional ampicillin, the hybrid treatment of CGD was significantly more cost-effective, increased productivity, and had minor accumulation. The acquired results may also be applied to further plant disease treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate)(PHBV) biocomposites containing of sisal fibers and clay particles were prepared by solution casting technique. Silane (Bis(triethoxysilylpropyl)- tetrasulfide) treatment has been used to modify surface of sisal fiber and enhance the properties of related PHBV composites. The mechanical and thermal properties of the PHBV composites were determined in uniaxial tensile, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. The dispersion of the sisal fiber and clay in the PHBV was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All PHBV based composites were subject to water absorption. It was found that the tensile and storage modulus of PHBV/5 wt.% sisal composites was improved by maximum 7 % and 10 % respectively. Treated silane of sisal fiber at 5 wt.% was found to enhance tensile modulus by 12 % as compared to the neat PHBV. In corporation of 3 wt.% clay in PHBV matrix increased the tensile and storage modulus by 8 % and 16 % respectively, compared to the neat PHBV. Note that this feature was also confirmed by SEM. Moreover, water uptake and the diffusion coefficient of the PHBV composites systems studied was also calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) biocomposites different sisal, containing with the fiber length of 0.25 and 5 mm, and addition of clay particles were prepared by hot compression technique. Silane (Bis(triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfide) treatment has been used to modify, and thus enhance, the properties of related hybrid composites. All composites were subject to water absorption test. The mechanical properties of hybrid composites, such as tensile stiffness and strength, toughness, and hardness, determined tensile, impact, and hardness tests, respectively. It was found that tensile strength, stiffness, and impact strength of long sisal fiber improved with increasing fiber content. Hardness of short sisal fiber improved with increasing fiber content. Treated Silane of long fibers at 20 wt.% loading was found to enhance the tensile strength fiber by 10% and impact strength by 750% as compared with the neat PHBV. Note that this feature was also confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the hardness and water resistance of the PHBV/sisal composites increased with the addition of clay particles. The diffusion coefficient for the PHBV and hybrid composites systems studied was also calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Hybrid composites composed of polypropylene (PP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), different flax fibers (unidirectional, biaxial, and twill2 × 2), and silicon dioxide (SiO2) were produced by hot-press technique. The ternary polymer composite was effectively fabricated by spraying SiO2 solvents onto the surface of flax fiber. The dispersion of SiO2 particles and flax in the composites was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The related PP- and HDPE-based composites were subjected to instrumented falling weight impact test. The thermal and mechanical properties of the composites were determined by thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, creep and stress relaxation tests, respectively. It was found that thermal decomposition temperature of the PP or HDPE/flax composites increased by the addition of SiO2 particles. The impact energy, stiffness, creep resistance, and relaxation modulus value of all flax composites increased markedly compared with the PP and HDPE matrix. Time–temperature superposition was applied to estimate the creep and relaxation modulus of the composites as a function of time in the form of a master curve. The activation energies for all the PP and HDPE composites systems studied were also calculated using the Arrhenius equation. The generalized Maxwell model was fairly applicable to the stress relaxation results. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Composites composed of polylactide (PLA), modified PLA and woven flax fiber textiles (flax weave style of 2 × 2 twill and 4 × 4 hopsack) were produced by hot press technique. Two structurally different additives were used to modify PLA. The dispersion of the flax in the composites was studied by scanning electron microscopy and computed microtomography system (µCT). The PLA composites were subjected to water absorption and instrumented falling weight impact tests. The thermomechanical and creep properties of the composites were determined using thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis and short-time creep tests. It was found that the modified PLA and its composite increased the impact resistance compared with the unmodified PLA. Incorporation of flax decreased resistance to thermal degradation and increased water uptake. The impact energy and stiffness value of PLA/flax composites were markedly higher than that of PLA but reflect the effects of composite structures and flax content. The storage modulus master curves were constructed by applying the time–temperature superposition principle. From the master curve data, the effect of modified PLA on the storage modulus was more pronounced in the low frequency range. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Anti-rodent polymer composites were prepared using non-toxic substances denatonium benzoate (DB) and capsicum oleroresin (CO) mixed with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix. DB is mixed in zinc stearate (ZnSt) called DB/ZnSt, and CO, providing burning sensation, is impregnated in mesoporous silica named SiCO. There are three sets of sample: Blank, composites Set I and Set II. Set I consists of DB/ZnSt at concentration of 1.96 wt% and SiCO at concentration of 12.16 wt%, 14.47 wt%, 18.75 wt% and 23.53 wt%. Set II comprises SiCO at the same amount of Set I. The anti-rodent composites studied are anti-gnawing, surface morphology, thermo-mechanical and rheological properties. Anti-rodent testing is analyzed by one-way blocked analysis of variance (ANOVA) and compared with Tukey test with a 95% level of significance, presenting good anti-gnawing efficiency. The best rat-proof sample is II.4, consisting of SiCO 23.53 wt%, which presents percentage of weight loss from gnawing at 1.68% compared to weight loss of neat PVC at 59.74%. The addition of SiCO at concentration ranging from 12.16 to 23.53 wt% reduces tensile strength around 25–50%, elongation at break strength around 2–23%, shear storage modulus (G′) around 30%, shear loss modulus (G″) shear viscosity (η) and glass transition (Tg) around 43% compared to Blank. The increase in SiCO concentration slightly improves the thermal stability of PVC composites around 3%, but the addition of DB/ZnSt at 1.96 wt% slightly reduces those properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last several decades, there has been significant growth in research and development activities in nanomaterials. Nanotech has been used to improve the quality of several materials, including wood and polymer composites, for their application in various fields. Nanofillers, including metal particles, nano oxides, pyrogenic silica, and carbon black, have been employed as polymer additives. However, the value of natural, low-cost, and plentiful clay materials such as nanoclay becomes more apparent as environmental regulations and consumer awareness become more rigorous. This literature outlines the role of nanoclay on polymer composites, especially in the case of thermosetting resins, including epoxy, polyester, urea-formaldehyde, and phenol-formaldehyde resins. The current article is intended to provide a comprehensive source of recent studies and literature on nanoclay as filler, its classification, polymer modification processes using nanoclay, and comparing the performance of different thermosetting polymers based on their fabrication methods through physical and mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Organic farming grapples with drought, demanding efficient crop selection. • Molecular techniques revolutionize selection, expediting drought-resistant crop identification. • This review delves into molecular tech's role in streamlining drought-resistant crop selection in organic agriculture. • This exploration guides towards drought-resistant crop varieties, promoting sustainability amidst climate unpredictability. Drought, an ever-looming threat to agriculture, is of paramount concern in organic crop production. The traditional methodologies employed for screening and selecting drought-resistant crops are characterized by their laborious and time-intensive nature. However, the integration of molecular techniques has wrought a revolutionary transformation, expediting the identification and precise selection of crop varieties resilient to drought stress. This review explores the intricate relationship between molecular technologies and the imperative to streamline the screening and selection process for drought-resistant crops in organic agriculture. The advantages of these molecular methodologies are delved into, revealing the potential to accelerate the breeding of crops capable of withstanding the challenges posed by water scarcity. However, this exploration is full of challenges. From scalability issues to cost-effectiveness, ethical implications, and environmental impact, a comprehensive examination is crucial for a nuanced understanding of integrating these technologies into the organic crop production landscape. Moreover, this review extends beyond the present, casting a discerning eye toward the prospects of molecular techniques in pursuing sustainable agriculture. The potential for refinement, overcoming challenges, and synergies with other emerging technologies is crucially considered as a resilient and environmentally conscious agricultural future is envisioned. In essence, this exploration serves as a comprehensive guide, shedding light on the transformative power of molecular techniques in navigating the intricate path towards drought-resistant crop varieties, thereby fostering sustainable practices in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable composite films of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) modified with varying amounts of capsicum oleoresin (CO)‐impregnated nanoporous silica (SiCO) were prepared. The antimicrobial and thermomechanical properties of the PLA composites were carefully investigated. The Gram‐positive pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus) and the Gram‐negative pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica) tests established excellent antimicrobial properties of the composites even at small concentrations of SiCO. The microscopic (scanning electron micrograph) and spectroscopic (energy‐dispersive X‐ray) investigations manifested the uniformity of particle distribution. Although the addition of CO slightly decreased the thermal stability of the composite films, it marginally enhanced the mechanical properties and crystallinity. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47825. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polylactic acid is modified with porous silica-containing varying amount of capsicum oleoresin. The effect of accelerated weathering on the polymer degradation, thermomechanical, antibacterial, and rheological properties was studied. The accelerated weathering test was performed for 260 and 520h. The prepared composites show antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The tensile strength, modulus, and percentage crystallinity of the composites increased by 17, 7, and 33% respectively with the addition of 1.54 wt% of capsicum oleoresin impregnated porous silica. On the other hand, the incorporation of capsicum oleoresin impregnated porous silica reduced shear modulus and shear viscosity of the composite films. The accelerated weathering, reduced tensile properties, thermal stability, and rheological properties; however, the percentage crystallinity was increased due to the chain scission of the polymer chains. The combination of ultraviolet irradiation, temperature, and humidity caused by the weathering test marginally reduced the antibacterial properties of the polymer films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]