Understanding biomass interaction is critical for bottom‐up design of novel biocomposites and existing manufacturing processes. In this study, interactions between bioadhesives (lignin, carbohydrates, or proteins) and fibers (cellulosic fiber or wood fiber) are elucidated via experimental bonding strength tests and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Experimental results reveal a good, nearly linear correlation between the composite's density and tensile strength, a finding which has rarely been reported previously. Adhesives are compared to one another: soy protein isolate is found to be the best for pinewood fiber, while apple pectin and soy protein isolate are the best for α‐cellulose fiber. It is further shown that the fiber type plays an important role in defining the composite strength. In agreement with experiments, the MD simulations at nanoscale predict a linear strength to density correlation; this is driven by the hydrogen bond (H‐bond) content in the composite. The H‐bond content is also found to determine the varied performances of different adhesives.
The present research explores the features of code-switching in Hanif’s (2011) English fictional novel Our Lady of Alice Bhatti. The research explores code-switching by applying the Whorfian Hypothesis (Linguistic Relativity and Determinism) through textual analysis of Hanif’s novel (2011). One of the distinguishing features of the novel is the use of two distinct languages (English and Urdu) which majorly cause the implementation of various features of code-switching and code-mixing. The researchers have employed the qualitative research approach during data analysis. The study examines how language influences ideas and identity with the use of code-switching. A comprehensive study or analysis of the relevant literature has also presented in a comprehensive way leading towards a theoretical framework of preferred Whorfian Hypothesis (Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis) in the field of sociolinguistics. The results and findings of the also proves that the writer of the novel consciously/unconsciously utilizes the technique of code-switching of code-mixing to highlight/promote the native/local identity (ies) and cultural values through the code-mixed language. The study would be helpful for the reader to develop an appropriate understanding of code-switching in language varieties.
Curauá fibers are already well known, mainly for their good mechanical properties and synergism with polymeric matrices. Thus, in this work, we produced the curauá plant by tissue culture (micropropagation technique) and extracted the fibers, which were characterized regarding moisture, ash, extractives, lignin, hemicellulose, holocellulose, and cellulose contents, besides infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and evaluation of mechanical properties. Compared to other works, this curauá fiber presented a higher content of cellulose (77.2%) and lower hemicellulose content (6.8%).Another unique feature was the high crystallinity of the cellulose present in the fiber (73.53%), which reflected good thermal and mechanical properties. Thus, we show that the micropropagation technique is highly advantageous for the scale production of this fiber, in addition to producing a high-quality fiber for application in composites since it can better control the plant growth environment as well as macro and micronutrients.
Improvements in renewable compositions of adhesives are key for advancing the existing wood industry and developing biocomposites. Building upon prior studies on fundamental interactions between model compounds of fiber and bioadhesives, more complex bioadhesives are investigated. Cold denaturation of soy protein isolate (SPI) in dilute sodium hydroxide provide sufficient physical strength for wood composites. Due to swelling, 5% epoxy resin is added to the SPI adhesive resulting in improved physical strength and water resistance. The SPI and epoxy are evenly distributed on the fiber surface, while additional SPI fills the gaps between fibers based on fluorescence microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show that the physical strength of the composites increases with the content of SPI, with the number of hydrogen bonds (H‐bonds) as primary driver; in MD simulations, the composite strength is highest at 3% epoxy, though higher epoxy doses results in more H‐bonds. In ReaxFF MD simulations, other contributions (e.g., van der Waals energy) show no correlation. The developed bioadhesive and the interaction mechanism demonstrate here emphasize the weak physical interactions in these materials, though covalent bonds and other larger scale phenomena are important as well for macro performances of the bioadhesives.
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