Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) have attracted growing attention due to their role in the development of eco-design methods. We concurrently analysed scientific publications, patent documents, and results of our own feasibility studies to identify the current design issues and technologies used. A literature inquiry in scientific and patent databases (WoS, Scopus, The Lens, Google Patents) pointed to 92 scientific publications and 212 patent documents. As a part of our own technological experiments, we have created several prototype products used in architectural interior design. Following the synthesis, these sources of knowledge can be concluded: 1. MBCs are inexpensive in production, ecological, and offer a high artistic value. Their weaknesses are insufficient load capacity, unfavourable water affinity, and unknown reliability. 2. The scientific literature shows that the material parameters of MBCs can be adjusted to certain needs, but there are almost infinite combinations: properties of the input biomaterials, characteristics of the fungi species, and possible parameters during the growth and subsequent processing of the MBCs. 3. The patent documents show the need for development: an effective method to increase the density and the search for technologies to obtain a more homogeneous internal structure of the composite material. 4. Our own experiments with the production of various everyday objects indicate that some disadvantages of MBCs can be considered advantages. Such an unexpected advantage is the interesting surface texture resulting from the natural inhomogeneity of the internal structure of MBCs, which can be controlled to some extent.

Mycelium-Based Composites (MBCs) are innovative engineering materials made from lignocellulosic by-products bonded with fungal mycelium. While some performance characteristics of MBCs are inferior to those of currently used engineering materials, these composites nevertheless prove to be superior in ecological aspects. Improving the properties of MBCs may be achieved using an adequate substrate type, fungus species, and manufacturing technology. This article presents scientifically verified guiding principles for choosing a fungus species to obtain the desired effect. This aim was realized based on analyses of scientific articles concerning MBCs, mycological literature, and patent documents. Based on these analyses, over 70 fungi species used to manufacture MBC have been identified and the most commonly used combinations of fungi species-substrate-manufacturing technology are presented. The main result of this review was to demonstrate the characteristics of the fungi considered optimal in terms of the resulting engineering material properties. Thus, a list of the 11 main fungus characteristics that increase the effectiveness in the engineering material formation include: rapid hyphae growth, high virulence, dimitic or trimitic hyphal system, white rot decay type, high versatility in nutrition, high tolerance to a substrate, environmental parameters, susceptibility to readily controlled factors, easy to deactivate, saprophytic, non-mycotoxic, and capability to biosynthesize natural active substances. An additional analysis result is a list of the names of fungus species, the types of substrates used, the applications of the material produced, and the main findings reported in the scientific literature.

The influence of chemical modification of wood on its nucleation ability in polypropylene composites Summary-The crystallization of isotactic polypropylene in contact with pine wood was studied by hot stage polarizing microscopy. The agents applied to chemical treatment of wood were maleic, propionic, phthalic, crotonic or succinic anhydrides. Mercerization and extraction processes were used as well. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of chemical modification of pine wood on its nucleation activity in polypropylene crystallization process. The occurrence of the transcrystallization layer (TCL) was found to be strongly dependent on the type of chemical treatment of wood surface. Predominant nucleation ability was establish for unmodified pine wood. However, mercerization and extraction processes of wood slightly decreased its nucleation ability in polypropylene matrixes. Moreover, it was determined that wood modified by anhydrides can enhance the transcrystallization layer of PP in comparison with wood mercerized or extracted. Unexpectedly, wood modified with succinic anhydride did not induce transcrystallization.

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Lignocellulosic biomass, including that of energy crops, can be an alternative source to produce activated carbons (ACs). Miscanthus and switchgrass straw were used to produce ACs in a two-step process. Crushed plant material was carbonized at 600 °C and then obtained carbon was activated using NaOH or KOH at 750 °C. The content of surface oxygen groups was determined using Boehm’s method. The porosity of ACs was assayed using the nitrogen adsorption/desorption technique, while their thermal resistance using the thermogravimetric method. The ACs derived from miscanthus and switchgrass were characterized by surfaces rich in chemical groups and a highly developed porous structure. The highest specific surface areas, over 1600 m2/g, were obtained after carbon treatment with NaOH. High values of iodine number, 1200–1240 mg/g, indicate an extensive system of micropores and their good adsorption properties. The type of activator affected the contents of oxygen functional groups and some porosity parameters as well as thermal stability ranges of the ACs. Among obtained carbons, the highest quality was found for these derived from M. sacchariflorus followed by switchgrass, after activation with NaOH. Hence, while these crop species are not as effective biomass sources as other energy grasses, they can become valuable feedstocks for ACs.

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Adsorption of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 4-chloro-2-metylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) from aqueous solution onto activated carbons derived from various lignocellulosic materials including willow, miscanthus, flax, and hemp shives was investigated. The adsorption kinetic data were analyzed using two kinetic models: the pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order equations. The adsorption kinetics of both herbicides was better represented by the pseudo-second order model. The adsorption isotherms of 2,4-D and MCPA on the activated carbons were analyzed using the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The equilibrium data followed the Langmuir isotherm. The effect of pH on the adsorption was also studied. The results showed that the activated carbons prepared from the lignocellulosic materials are efficient adsorbents for the removal of 2,4-D and MCPA from aqueous solutions.

Modification of lignocellulose materials, used as fillers in the composites with polyolefins, is applied to improve their adhesion to the matrix. One of the most often applied methods of such modification is the treatment with organic acid anhydrides. Rapeseed straw was modified with anhydrides of acetic, maleic and succinic acids. Such a modification changes the straw surface leading to the exposition of the wood tissue skeleton. The character changes depending on the type of anhydride applied. Esterification of repeseed straw by organic acid anhydrides resulted in changes in its chemical structure. According to infrared analysis of modified straw, new carbonyl groups were formed, as indicated by the absorption band in the range 1750–1730 cm−1. The degree of straw modification, measured by the weight percent gain index, informs about similar reactivities of the lignocelluloses material with all three anhydrides of organic acids used as modifiers. The starting temperatures of active thermolysis for the straw modified with maleic and succinic acid anhydrides were lower than that for native straw, while that for the straw modified with acetic acid was higher. Concentration of free radicals in rapeseed straw samples was measured by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. It was found that the maximum concentration of radicals for rapeseed straw was treated with maleic anhydride.