Phase change materials for thermal energy storage

Poly (lactic acid) blends: Processing, properties and applications.

Cellulose/graphene aerogel supported phase change composites with high thermal conductivity and good shape stability for thermal energy storage

Valorization of lignin in polymer and composite systems for advanced engineering applications – A review

A review of vibrational frequencies reported for tannin molecules is provided to create a database with typical fingerprints for different types of tannins. This will provide researchers working on vibrational spectroscopy applications and technicians a fast, easy, and reliable method to assess the quality and authenticity of these compounds, both extracted in laboratories and provided from commercial sources. The widespread use of these compounds has highlighted the need for a systematic characterization of the vibrational frequencies and molecular fingerprints for their identification and discrimination. According to our knowledge, this is the first systematic collection of typical peak frequencies for tannins, which can be applied in several research fields and technological applications.

Application of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in the characterization of tannins.

As the only kind of naturally-occurring biopolyester synthesized by various microorganisms, polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) shows a great market potential in packaging, fiber, biomedical, and other fields due to its biodegradablity, biocompatibility, and renewability. However, the inherent defects of scl-PHA with low 3HV or 4HB content, such as high stereoregularity, slow crystallization rate, and particularly the phenomena of formation of large-size spherulites and secondary crystallization, restrict the processing and stability of scl-PHA, as well as the application of its products. Many efforts have focused on the modification of scl-PHA to improve the mechanical properties and the applicability of obtained scl-PHA products. The modification of structure and property together with the potential applications of scl-PHA are covered in this review to give a comprehensive knowledge on the modification and processing of scl-PHA, including the effects of physical blending, chemical structure design, and processing conditions on the crystallization behaviors, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of scl-PHA.

Modification and Potential Application of Short-Chain-Length Polyhydroxyalkanoate (SCL-PHA).

Low cost carbon fibers from bio-renewable Lignin/Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends

Lignin-based carbon fibers: Formation, modification and potential applications

Novel environmentally friendly poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PHBV/PEG) copolymer networks were synthesized through free-radical solution polymerization with PHBV diacrylate (PHBVDA) and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) as macromers. The molecular structure of PHBV/PEG copolymer network was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). The morphology of the PHBV/PEG copolymer network was characterized by polarization optical microscopy. Thermal energy storage properties, thermal reliability and thermal stability were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicated that the PHBV/PEG copolymer network hindered the growth of PEG crystalline segments or PHBV segments. PHBV/PEG copolymer network had a higher latent heat enthalpy, which didn’t reduce with the components of PHBV increased. Moreover, PHBV/PEG copolymer network still had good thermal stability even at 300 °C. These results suggested that such environmentally friendly copolymer network would have wide applications in phase change energy storage materials.

Shichao Wang

Papers

Modification and Potential Application of Short-Chain-Length Polyhydroxyalkanoate (SCL-PHA).

Low cost carbon fibers from bio-renewable Lignin/Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends

Lignin-based carbon fibers: Formation, modification and potential applications

Synthesis and characterization of an environmentally friendly PHBV/PEG copolymer network as a phase change material

Reinforcement of lignin-based carbon fibers with functionalized carbon nanotubes