Biomass valorization toward sustainable asphalt pavements: Progress and prospects

To cope with the global climate crisis and assist in achieving the carbon neutrality, the use of biomass materials to fully or partially replace petroleum-based products and unrenewable resources is expected to become a widespread solution. Based on the analysis of the existing literature, this paper firstly classified biomass materials with potential application prospects in pavement engineering according to their application and summarized their respective preparation methods and characteristics. The pavement performance of asphalt mixtures with biomass materials was analyzed and summarized, and the economic and environmental benefits of bio-asphalt binder were evaluated. The analysis shows that pavement biomass materials with potential for practical application can be divided into three categories: bio-oil, bio-fiber, and bio-filler. Adding bio-oil to modify or extend the virgin asphalt binder can mostly improve the low temperature performance of asphalt binder. Adding styrene-butadienestyrene (SBS) or other preferable bio-components for composite modification will have a further improved effect. Most of the asphalt mixtures prepared by using bio-oil modified asphalt binders have improved the low temperature crack resistance and fatigue resistance of asphalt mixtures, but the high temperature stability and moisture resistance may decrease. As a rejuvenator, most bio-oils can restore the high and low temperature performance of aged asphalt and recycled asphalt mixture, and improve fatigue resistance. Adding bio-fiber could significantly improve the high temperature stability, low temperature crack resistance and moisture resistance of asphalt mixtures. Biochar as a bio-filler can slow down the asphalt aging process and some other bio-fillers can improve the high temperature stability and fatigue resistance of asphalt binders. Through calculation, it is found that the cost performance of bio-asphalt has the ability to surpass conventional asphalt and has economic benefits. The use of biomass materials for pavements not only reduces pollutants, but also reduces the dependence on petroleum-based products. It has significant environmental benefits and development potential.

Utilization of microalgae residue and isolated cellulose nanocrystals: A study on crystallization kinetics of poly(ɛ-caprolactone) bio-composites

Exploration of biodegradable materials for conventional application has taken a rising interest across the world. The presented work primarily focused on exploring the effectiveness of isolated CNCs from marine de-oiled green algae biomass residue (Dunaliella tertiolecta) in synthesized poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL). The washed algae biomass residue (WABR) and algae derived CNCs were explored as two different bio-fillers incorporated into PCL for comparison and development of biodegradable and flexible bio-composites with varying bio-filler loading. FTIR, XRD, TGA, UTM, DSC, POM, and SAXS characterized the developed PCL/WABR and PCL/CNC bio-composites. Improved thermal stability was observed in PCL/CNC bio-composites by ~10 °C rise. Besides, increased modulus of 18.38 MPa and tensile strength was obtained in PCL/CNC/1 bio-composites. However, the isothermal kinetics study (at 45 °C) revealed the reduction in the degree of crystallinity of bio-composites, and the axialite formation was visualized via POM. Moreover, CNCs was found as an excellent nucleating agent and effective bio-filler as compared to WABR.

Bio-Filler: An Effective Facial Rejuvenation Tool-Easy on Pocket

The Plasma Bio-Filler Facelift is an exciting aesthetic process being introduced in dermatology. The dermal filler gel is autologous and easy to obtain. It works well for fine rhytides reduction as well as to volumize, contour and rejuvenate the face, neck and hands. The consistency and autologous nature of plasma bio-filler are better accepted by patients than the high density hyaluronic acid fillers.

Mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene (PP) composites filled with modified shell waste

Shell waste, with its high content of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) plus organic matrix, has a potential to be used as a bio-filler. In this work, shell waste was modified by furfural and then incorporated to reinforce polypropylene (PP). The shell waste and modified powder were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The mechanical and thermal properties of neat PP and PP composites were investigated as well. Thermal gravimetric (TG) analyses confirmed the reinforcing role of modified powder in PP composites. The mechanical properties studied showed that adding modified powder could significantly increase the impact strength, elongation at break point and flexural modulus of composites. The maximum incorporation content could reach 15 wt.% with a good balance between toughness and stiffness of PP composites. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that the modified powder could act as a nucleating agent and thus increase the crystallization temperature of PP. Polarized optical microscopy (POM) observation also indicated that the introduction of modified powder could promote the heterogeneous nucleation of PP matrix.