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Rabbani FA, Sulaiman M, Tabasum F, Yasin S, Iqbal T, Shahbaz M, Mujtaba M, Bashir S, Fayaz H, Saleel CA. Investigation of tribo-mechanical performance of alkali treated rice-husk and polypropylene-random-copolymer based biocomposites. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22028. [PMID: 38034731 PMCID: PMC10685183 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was based on the experimental performance evaluation of a wood polymer composite (WPC) that was synthesized by incorporating untreated and treated rice husk (RH) fibers into a polypropylene random copolymer matrix. The submicron-scale RH fibers were alkali-treated to modify the surface and introduce new functional groups in the WPC. A compatibilizer (maleic anhydride) and a thermos-mechanical properties modifier (polypropylene grafted with 30 % glass fiber) were used in the WPC. The effects of untreated and treated RH on the WPC panels were studied using FESEM, FTIR, and microscope images. A pin-on-disk setup was used to investigate the bulk tribological properties of PPRC and WPC. The complex relationship between the friction coefficient of different loading of RH fibers in the WPC, as a function of sliding distance, was analyzed along with the temperature and morphology of the surface. It was observed that untreated RH acted as a friction modifier, while treated RH acted as a solid lubricant. Microhardness was calculated using the QCSM module on nanoindentation. It was found that untreated RH led to an increase in microhardness, while treated RH caused a decrease in hardness compared to PPRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahad Ali Rabbani
- Department of Chemical, Polymer and Composite Materials Engineering, UET Lahore, New Campus, Kala Shah Kaku 39020, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sulaiman
- Department of Chemical, Polymer and Composite Materials Engineering, UET Lahore, New Campus, Kala Shah Kaku 39020, Pakistan
| | - Fatima Tabasum
- Department of Chemical, Polymer and Composite Materials Engineering, UET Lahore, New Campus, Kala Shah Kaku 39020, Pakistan
| | - Saima Yasin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, UET Lahore, Main Campus, Lahore 54890, Pakistan
| | - Tanveer Iqbal
- Department of Chemical, Polymer and Composite Materials Engineering, UET Lahore, New Campus, Kala Shah Kaku 39020, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shahbaz
- Department of Chemical, Polymer and Composite Materials Engineering, UET Lahore, New Campus, Kala Shah Kaku 39020, Pakistan
| | - M.A. Mujtaba
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, UET Lahore, New Campus, Kala Shah Kaku 39020, Pakistan
| | - Shahid Bashir
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC), Level 4, Wisma R&D, Universiti Malaya, Jalan Pantai Baharu, 59990 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - H. Fayaz
- Modeling Evolutionary Algorithms Simulation and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - C Ahamed Saleel
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Asir-Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
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Félix L, Carreira P, Peixoto F. Effects of chronic exposure of naturally weathered microplastics on oxidative stress level, behaviour, and mitochondrial function of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 310:136895. [PMID: 36265700 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are a big and growing environmental concern, with studies showing sublethal to acute biological impacts on typical aquatic organisms. However, little is known about the biological effects of naturally weathered MPs, particularly focusing on mitochondria dysfunction as the key trigger of the biological effects. Therefore, in this study, naturally weathered MPs were produced from day-to-day life products, characterized, and chronically exposed (21 days) to adult zebrafish at the concentration of 0.1 and 1 mg/L. Locomotion and unconditioned anxiety-like behaviour was assessed. Mitochondrial respiration, membrane potential, mitochondrial complex activity and oxidative-related parameters were evaluated in the brain and liver. The results revealed the weathered MPs as a copolymer of propylene and ethylene that induced anxiety-like behaviour. There was an increase in brain catalase activity while the brain lactate dehydrogenase activity was inhibited after exposure to 1 mg/L. Brain glutathione levels were increased while their ratio was not affected. Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅱ and IV were also significantly decreased in the brain, although not compromising mitochondrial function. On the other hand, exposure to 1 mg/L caused a deficiency in liver mitochondrial respiration and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, which were associated with the mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibition. An increase in hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase activity was noticed, supporting the occurrence of ROS-induced ROS release as the potential trigger for the mitochondrial dysfunction. Overall, these findings highlight the potential indirect and cumulative environmental effects these particles may pose to aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Félix
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal; Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production (Inov4Agro), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal.
| | - Paulo Carreira
- Life Sciences and Environment School (ECVA), UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal
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