Effect of fiber treatment on flexural properties of natural fiber reinforced composites: A review

As a staple food for much of the world, rice production is widespread. However, it also results in the generation of large quantities of non-food biomass, primarily in the form of straw and husks. Although they have been little utilized and much rice straw is still simply burned, these lignocellulosic materials potentially have considerable values. This review considers the composition of rice straw and husks, the various processes involved in the production of valuable products, and a range of uses to which they can be put. These include agricultural amendments, energy production, environmental adsorbents, construction materials, and various speciality products.

Utilization of Waste Straw and Husks from Rice Production: A Review

Polymers are a chain of repeating monomers that can be either non-biodegradable or biodegradable with technical properties for a wide range of applications. The present scenario drives industries to develop new and eco-friendly materials to replace non-biodegradable materials to attain a clean and green environment. Significant research work has been carried out on the development of biocomposites based on biodegradable polymers and natural fibers. The review article addresses the wide range of biodegradable composites that are capable of undergoing degradation by various routes. Our main emphasis has been on the preparation and characterization of biocomposites, using various biodegradable polymers and natural fibers for wide applications like biomedical, packaging, aerospace, agriculture etc. It is clear that blending of reinforcing fibers and fillers with biodegradable polymers significantly enhanced the physical, chemical, biological, mechanical, thermal and biodegradation properties of the base matrix.

A Review on Biodegradable Polymeric Materials Striving Towards the Attainment of Green Environment

The aim of this work is to use lignocellulosic wastes as low price additives in biodegradable polymers. The rice straw (RS) was treated by means of different methods, and then it was introduced to the poly(lactic acid)/starch composites. The effects of different treatments on RS properties were investigated using the Fourier transform infrared, tensile, charpy, hardness, differential scanning calorimetry, rheology, contact angle, and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that 5–10% of all the differently treated RS increases the overall properties. Moreover, silica and lignin were mainly affected by such treatments; however, a balance between silica and lignin shows the best results. The modified alkali-treated rice straw (ARS treatment) prevented cellulose from degradation by creating a balance between silica and lignin, which controls the opposing effects of lignin including paste-like and plasticating effects. Finally, the ARS-filled samples show improved overall properties among the other samples. The obtained composites with optimum filler content may be used in the biomembranes and food packaging applications.

Investigating the Effect of Treated Rice Straw in PLLA/Starch Composite: Mechanical, Thermal, Rheological, and Morphological Study

Rice is a conventional crop that is produced majorly in the South and the South-East regions of Asia, leading to the generation of a considerable amount of biomass (Rice Straw) in the fields during the harvesting process. Whereas, husked rice, rice bran and broken rice are handled carefully during the processing of rice, however, rice straw is left in the agricultural fields and subjected to open-field burning for the easiest way to get rid of this waste. During the burning process, particulate matter (PM 2.5 , PM 10 ) and Greenhouse gases (CO, SO x , NO x ) are emitted to the atmosphere and tend to cause an adverse effect on soil characteristics, human health and the environment. Considering these problems, many studies have been carried out for the valorization of rice straw in the various technologies as a raw material for composting, paper production, power generation, mushroom production, gasification and pyrolysis, construction material, pellet production, silica extraction, feed for ruminants, biofuel production, as an adsorbent and biochar production. The present paper aims to review the aforementioned technologies on the basis of different parameters for the generation of value-added products. The data presented in the paper is expected to aid local authorities, researchers and stakeholders to improvise the current practices or to invent new possibilities for the sustainable management of rice straw. • The potential use of rice straw in the different applications is elaborated. • The environmental impacts and mitigation strategies for the open-field burning of rice straw are discussed. • The future predictions along with economic aspects associated with the sustainable utilization of rice straw are presented. • The advantages and disadvantages involved in the further inventions to reduce the impact of rice straw are explained. 

Junjun Liu

Papers

Rice Straw and Cornstarch Biodegradable Composites

Flexural Properties of Rice Straw and Starch Composites