Influence of calcium chloride impregnation on the thermal and high-temperature carbonization properties of bamboo fiber

In this study, bamboo fiber was pretreated with calcium chloride (CaCl₂) solution by using an ultrasonic method, and then heat-treated at 250°C and carbonized at 1000°C. The effect of impregnation with CaCl₂ on the thermal and chemical properties and morphology of bamboo fiber was determined using thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analyses, in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The pore structure of the carbonized bamboo fiber was investigated. The results revealed that bamboo fiber pretreated with 5% CaCl₂ (BFCa₅) showed a downward shift in the temperature of the maximum rate of weight loss253°C and increase in char residue to 31.89%. BFCa₅ was expected to undergo dehydration under the combined effect of oxygen-rich atmosphere and CaCl₂ catalysis from 210°C, and cellulose decomposition would be remarkable at 250°C. Pretreatment with 5% CaCl₂ promoted the formation of porous structure of the carbonized fiber, which exhibited a typical Type-IV isotherm, with the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area of 331.32 m²/g and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda adsorption average pore diameter of 13.6440 nm. Thus, CaCl₂ was found to be an effective catalyst for the pyrolysis of bamboo fiber, facilitating the formation of porous carbonized fiber.

The enhancement of the hydrolysis of bamboo biomass in ionic liquid with chitosan-based solid acid catalysts immobilized with metal ions

Three kinds of sulfonated cross-linked chitosan (SCCR) immobilized with metal ions of Cu(2+), Fe(3+) and Zn(2+) individually were synthesized and firstly used as solid acid catalysts in the hydrolysis of bamboo biomass. FTIR spectra showed that metal ions had been introduced into SCCR and the N-metal ions coordinate bound was formed. The particle sizes of these catalysts were about 500-1000μm with a pore size of 50-160μm. All of the three kinds of catalysts performed well for bamboo hydrolysis with 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride used as solvent. The most effective one was sulfonated cross-linked chitosan immobilized with Fe(3+) (Fe(3+)-SCCR). TRS yields were up to 73.42% for hydrolysis of bamboo powder in [C4mim]Cl with Fe(3+)-SCCR at 120°C and 20RPM after 24h. These novel chitosan-based metal ions immobilized solid acid catalysts with ionic liquids as the solvent might be promising to facilitate cost-efficient conversion of biomass into biofuels and bioproducts.

Engineering bamboo-type TiO2 nanotube arrays to enhance their photocatalytic property

Bamboo-type TiO2 nanotube arrays with high surface area can be synthesized by alternating voltage (AV) anodization for their important use as photocatalytic medium. Their morphologies are highly dependent on preparation parameters including anodization time and electrolyte composition. Minimum time of high-voltage steps required for forming desired bamboo ridge spacing on these nanotubes can be calculated from current-time profiles recorded during potentiostatic anodization at the voltage. Water content in NH4F-containing ethylene glycol (EG) electrolytes is optimized simply from analyses of current transients or current-voltage relations for anodization in EG electrolytes with different amount of water, in order to achieve efficient electrochemical growth of TiO2 nanotubes for large ridge density and long tube length. Two types of bamboo-type TiO2 nanotubes with the same length of 5.46 microm but different ridge spacing are synthesized for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV radiation. Both of the bamboo-type nanotube arrays show improved photo catalysis compared to smooth TiO2 nanotubes of the same length, due to their larger surface area favorable for heterogeneous catalytic processes. In particular, the apparent rate constant of photocatalytic degradation on bamboo-type nanotubes is up to 29.4% higher than that for degradation on smooth ones.

[Investigation of characteristic microstructures of adhesive interface in wood/bamboo composite material by synchrotron radiation X-ray phase contrast microscopy]

Third-generation synchrotron radiation X-ray phase-contrast microscopy(XPCM)can be used for obtaining image with edge enhancement, and achieve the high contrast imaging of low-Z materials with the spatial coherence peculiarity of X-rays. In the present paper, the characteristic microstructures of adhesive at the interface and their penetration in wood/bamboo composite material were investigated systematically by XPCM at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF). And the effect of several processing techniques was analyzed for the adhesive penetration in wood/bamboo materials. The results show that the synchrotron radiation XPCM is expected to be one of the important precision detection methods for wood-based panels.

Starch composites reinforced by bamboo cellulosic crystals

Using a method of combined HNO(3)-KClO(3) treatment and sulfuric acid hydrolysis, bamboo cellulose crystals (BCCs) were prepared and used to reinforce glycerol plasticized starch. The structure and morphology of BCCs were investigated using X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and solid-state (13)C NMR. Results showed that BCCs were of typical cellulose I structure, and the morphology was dependent on its concentration in the suspension. BCC of 50-100 nm were assembled into leaf nervations at low concentration (i.e. 0.1 wt.% of solids), but congregated into a micro-sized "flower" geometry at high concentration (i.e. 10.0 wt.% of solids). Tensile strength and Young's modulus of the starch/BCC composite films (SBC) were enhanced by the incorporation of the crystals due to reinforcement of BCCs and reduction of water uptake. BCCs at the optimal 8% loading level exhibited a higher reinforcing efficiency for plasticized starch plastic than any other loading level.

Bamboo and herringbone shaped carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibres synthesized in direct current-plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition

Carbon nanotubes with different structures were catalytically synthesized on Ni coated SiO2/Si substrate in a Direct Current Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition system, in which C2H2 acted as the carbon source and NH3 as the etchant gas. A Scanning Electron Microscope study showed that carbon nanotubes were all vertically aligned with respect to the substrate, with diameters ranging from 10 nm to 200 nm. Different sizes of Ni catalyst particles were observed on the tips of carbon nanotubes. Transmission Electron Microscopy was used to study the morphology of the grown tubes and the results obtained show that the diameters and structures of these carbon nanotubes were closely correlated to the sizes and structures of the Ni nanoparticles. Two main structures namely bamboo shaped carbon nanotubes and herringbone shaped carbon nanofibres were found on the same sample. It is suggested that by controlling the pre-growth condition, desired structure of carbon nanotubes or carbon nanofibres could be produced for practical applications.

Silica deposition in relation to ageing of leaf tissues in Sasa veitchii (Carriere) Rehder (Poaceae: Bambusoideae)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Silica deposition is one of the important characteristics of plants in the family Poaceae. There have been many investigations into the distribution, deposition and physiological functions of silica in this family. Two hypotheses on silica deposition have been proposed based on these studies. First, that silica deposition occurs passively as a result of water uptake by plants, and second, that silica deposition is controlled positively by plants. To test these two apparently contradictory hypotheses, silica deposition in relation to the ageing of leaf tissues in Sasa veitchii was investigated.

METHODS

Tissues were examined using a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray microanalyser.

KEY RESULTS

The deposition process differed depending on cell type. In mesophyll tissue, fusoid cells deposited large amounts of silica depending on leaf age after maturation, while chlorenchyma cells deposited little. In epidermal tissue, comprised of eight cell types, only silica cells deposited large amounts of silica during the leaf's developmental process and none after maturation. Bulliform cells, micro-hairs and prickle hairs deposited silica densely and continuously after leaf maturation. Cork cells, guard cells, long cells and subsidiary cells deposited silica at low levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The significance of these observations is discussed in relation to the two hypotheses proposed for silica deposition in Poaceae. The results of the present study clearly indicate that both hypotheses are compatible with each other dependent on cell types.