Biogenic Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles on a Green Support as a Reusable Catalyst for the Hydrogenation of Nitroarene and Quinoline

Direct attachment of gold nanoparticles to a green support without the use of an external reducing agent and using it for removing toxic pollutants from wastewater, i. e., reduction of nitroarene to amine, are described. A novel approach involving the reduction of gold by the jute plant (Corchorus genus) stem-based (JPS) support itself to form nanoparticles (AuNPs) to be used as a catalytic system (‘dip-catalyst’) and its catalytic activity for the hydrogenation of series of nitroarenes in aqueous media are presented. AuNPs/JPS catalyst was characterized using SEM, UV-Vis, FTIR, TEM, XPS, and ICP-OES. Confined area elemental mapping exhibits uniform and homogeneous distribution of AuNPs on the support surface. TEM shows multi-faceted AuNPs in the range of 20–30 nm. The reactivity of AuNPs/JPS for the transfer hydrogenation of nitroarene as well as hydrogenation of quinoline under molecular H₂ pressure was evaluated. Sodium borohydride, when used as the hydrogen source, demonstrates a high catalytic efficiency in the transfer hydrogenation reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). Quinoline is quantitatively and chemoselectively hydrogenated to 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (py-THQ) using molecular hydrogen. Reusability studies show that AuNPs are stable on the support surface and their selectivity is not affected.     

Multiobjective Optimization of Fabrication Parameters of Jute Fiber/Polyester Composites with Egg Shell Powder and Nanoclay Filler

In the present study, a model is presented to optimize the fabrication parameters of natural fiber reinforced polyester matrix composites with dual fillers. In particular, jute fiber mat was chosen as reinforcement and eggshell powder (ESP) and montmorillonite nanoclay (NC) were selected as fillers. The weight per square meter (GSM) of the fiber, the weight percentage of ESP and NC have been chosen as independent variables and the influence of these variables on tensile, flexural and impact strength of the composite has been inspected. The permutations of the different combinations of factors are intended to accomplish higher interfacial strength with the lowest possible number of tested specimens. The experiments were designed by the Taguchi strategy and a novel multi-objective optimization technique named COPRAS (COmplex PRoportional ASsessment of alternatives) was used to determine the optimal parameter combinations. Affirmation tests were performed with the optimal parameter settings and the mechanical properties were evaluated and compared. Experimental results show that fiber GSM and eggshell powder content are significant variables that improve mechanical strength, while the nanoclay appears less important.     

Design of electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofiber–coated nonwoven structure for sound absorption

Acoustic felts are commonly used in white goods. Bearing that into mind, this paper aims to enhance sound absorption behavior of such felts, in particular, within the low and medium frequency ranges. In doing so, wool and jute felt samples were coated with electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibrous membrane. These nanocoated felts were studied in terms of their sound absorption performance, air permeability, and surface morphology. The results indicated that the air permeability of the felts could be drastically decreased by coating with nanofibers, which was required for better acoustic performance of felt‐like structures. Moreover, the samples having higher amount polyacrylonitrile nanofibers tended to demonstrate better sound absorbency.     

Characterization of methyl methacrylate grafting onto preirradiated biodegradable lignocellulose fiber by gamma-radiation

Gamma-radiation-induced graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto natural lignocellulose (jute) fiber was carried out by the preirradiation method in an aqueous medium by using octylphenoxy-polyethoxyethanol as an emulsifier. The different factors that influenced the graft copolymer reaction process were investigated. In the case of radiation-dose-dependent grafting, samples irradiated in the presence of air produced up to 73% graft weight compared to 53% obtained in the case of irradiation in a nitrogen environment. By assuming Arrhenius reaction kinetics, the activation energy (E(a)) of the grafting reaction process was evaluated for different reaction temperatures. Moreover, the graft copolymer reaction was controlled by incorporating a homopolymer-inhibiting agent and three different chain-transfer agents in the reaction medium. The mechanical and thermal properties of jute fiber 'as received' and jute-graft-poly(methyl methacrylate) were also investigated. The results showed that the percentage of grafting with jute fiber has a significant effect on the properties. The kinetic parameters were evaluated from TGA thermograms by using Broido's method in the temperature range 240-350 degrees C. Scanning electron micrographs show that the structural changes on the surface of jute fibers were induced by graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate monomer. Fiber-fiber surface friction was measured in terms of the average maximum load and the kinetic friction. SEM of jute-graft-poly(methyl methacrylate).     

Use of Sucrose‐based Epoxy ­Formulations and Cellulosic Fibers in ­the Design,Preparation, and Screening ­of New Composite Insulation Materials

Non‐woven composite insulation materials were generated from cotton, kenaf, jute, polyester, polypropylene, sucrose‐based epoxy formulations, and aluminum foil. The needlepunched fiber batts were rendered flame resistant by use of inorganic reagents and urea. To discover suitable epoxy formulations to bind the cellulose fibers to themselves or to dissimilar surfaces and to make flexible composites, a comparison of the performance of the known epoxy allyl sucroses (EAS), epoxy crotyl sucroses (ECS), and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A (DGEBA) was made. The epoxies were cured with commercial diethylenetriamine (DETA), and UNIREZs‐2142 and 2355®, to discover a formulation with the following characteristics: (a) low cure temperature; (b) low Young's moduli and glass transition temperatures of cured thermosets for flexible composites; (c) ample bond strength between the fabric and the bonded surfaces; and (d) non‐cytotoxicity and non‐mutagenicity of the epoxies. Based on results following these criteria, EAS was selected, and the formulation comprising EAS and UNIREZ‐2355® was deemed suitable to bind fiber batts to surfaces of any type and geometry. ASTM guidelines were used to construct a wooden frame cube (heat box) for the simultaneous rapid screening of cellulosic fiber batts and composites. The new materials were compared against R‐19 fiberglass insulation for their ability to resist heat flow (denoted by relative R‐values) and time taken to approach thermal equilibrium. Plain non‐woven cellulosic fiber batts showed relative R‐values of 4.0 °F ft² hr/Btu per inch thickness (0.27 K m²/W per cm), and took about 2 hr to establish equilibrium heat flow. Commercial fiberglass batts showed relative R‐values­of 2.2 per in (0.15 per cm) and took 1 hr to attain equilibrium heat flow. When 6.25 in (15.9 cm) thick batts of fiberglass were needle punched to a thickness of 1 in (2.54 cm), relative R‐values and equilibrium heat flow times were 4.0 per in (0.27 per cm) and 2 hr, respectively. This denoted that the densities and thermal resistances of non‐conducting materials are raised concurrently. Anisotropic heat flow behavior was observed in cellulosic fiber composites with aluminum foil (shiny side out) bonded on one side. It depended upon whether the aluminum foil side or the fibers side faced the heat source. In the latter orientation the aluminum acted as a heat sink, and in the former orientation the foil acted as a poor heat reflector. The poor performance of these insulation composites was related to the fact that aluminum was directly bonded to the fiber batts and was acting as a heat conductor. When cellulose fiber shims (spacers) were placed between the fiber batts and the aluminum foil, the R‐values of the composites were comparable to those of plain batts but the times taken to approach thermal equilibrium increased to >3 hr, denoting that the foil was acting more as a reflector and less as a conductor. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal degradation and decomposition of jute/vinylester composites

Thermal analysis of jute fibre reinforced vinylester resin with 30 vol% of fibre were performed by TG/DTG under dynamic conditions. The fibres were treated with alkaline solution at different temperatures and the final composition (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) of the fibre was determined by chemical analysis. Apparent activation energies were determined using a variety of conventional thermogravimetric methods. Two peaks were found in the composite differential curves: the first peak close to 327 and the second peak at 408°C. The apparent activation energy values for the second peak decreased when fibre were treated. The addition of the jute fibres produced a slightly decrease in the thermal stability of the composites.     

Characterization of hybrid epoxy composites reinforced by murta and jute fibers

The primary focus of the present work was to fabricate and characterize hybrid epoxy composites using jute and murta bast fibers. Murta and jute fibers with lengths of 35 mm each were mixed randomly with a polymer matrix by varying their relative amounts but keeping the total weight of the fiber mixture fixed at 30%. The hybrid composites were characterized based on values obtained from the experiments carried out to assess properties such as density, thermal stability, water absorption/retention, tensile/flexural/compressive/impact strengths, and hardness. The composite containing equal amounts of the two fibers exhibits synergism and superior properties.     

Experimental investigation on the mechanical properties of Cyperus pangorei fibers and jute fiber-based natural fiber composites

The present era uses natural fibers as a partial replacement for synthetic fibers, thereby utilizing eco-friendly materials in a number of automotive applications (namely, bumpers, wind shields, doors, ceilings, etc.). Although there are many research findings related to natural fiber composites, in this work, a new sandwich layer of Cyperus pangorei fibers and jute fiber epoxy hybrid composites is developed using the hand lay-up technique and compared with the pure Cyperus pangorei fiber and pure jute fiber epoxy composites. The mechanical properties like tensile, flexural, compressive, impact, and hardness are performed as per ASTM standards for the developed composites. The test results show that Cyperus pangorei hybrid composite 3 had a tensile strength of 50.2 MPa, flexural strength of 301.48 N mm^?2, ultimate compression load of 15.03 KN, impact energy of 6.34 J, and Shore D hardness of 82.7, which are superior by 1.1–1.5 times to all the other developed composites. The microstructural characterizations are performed using scanning electron microscope which played a vital role in analyzing the failure morphology of the composites.     

Fabrication and characterization of jute fabrics reinforced polypropylene-based composites: effects of ionizing radiation and disaccharide (sucrose)

Composites were prepared successfully by compression molding technique using jute fabrics (reinforcing agent) and polypropylene (matrix). Jute fabrics were treated with disaccharide (sucrose) solution and composites were fabricated with the treated fabric and polypropylene. The fiber content of the prepared composites was 40% by weight. It was found that the sucrose (2% solution) decreased the tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break about 6% and 37%, respectively, but tensile modulus and impact strength improved about 27% and 32%, respectively. When gamma radiation was applied through the untreated and treated composites the mechanical properties were improved much higher in non-treated Jute/PP-based composites than that of sucrose treated composites. For 5.0?kGy gamma dose the highest mechanical properties were observed for non-treated composites. At 5.0?kGy gamma dose the improvement of TS was 14% and 2% for non-treated and sucrose treated composites, respectively. The water uptake property of the sucrose treated composites was performed up to 10 days and composites absorbed 18% water. The functional groups of the both composites were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy machine. The scanning electron microscopic images of the both composites were taken for the surface and fiber adhesion analysis.