The effect of physical and chemical treatment on the mechanical properties of the cell wall of the alga Chara corallina

Planta ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 214 (3) ◽  
pp. 468-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geraldine A. Toole ◽  
Andrew C. Smith ◽  
Keith W. Waldron
Holzforschung ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinzhou Wang ◽  
Linguo Zhao ◽  
Yuhe Deng ◽  
Yanjun Li ◽  
Siqun Wang

AbstractThe effects of the penetration of polymeric diphenyl methane diisocyanate (pMDI) on the chemical structure as well as the static and dynamic mechanical properties of wood cell walls (CWs) were investigated by atomic force microscopy with infrared radiation (AFM-IR) and nanoindentation (NI). Results indicated that the possible penetration of some pMDI molecules into the CW affected the mechanical properties of wood CW significantly. The physical and chemical interactions between pMDI and CW may strengthen the connections between the cell-wall materials and thus improved the static elastic modulus and short-term creep resistance of the CW. The elastic modulus (Er) of CWs was increased from 16.5 to 17.7 GPa; the creep ratio of the CWs decreased by 15% after the penetration of pMDI. Dynamic NI properties indicated that the effective penetration of pMDI had a positive effect on the reduced storage modulus (Er′), whereas it negatively affected the loss modulus (Er″) and the damping coefficient (tanδ) of wood CW in a large frequency scale.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1801
Author(s):  
Rafał Oliwa ◽  
Joanna Ryszkowska ◽  
Mariusz Oleksy ◽  
Monika Auguścik-Królikowska ◽  
Małgorzata Gzik ◽  
...  

We investigated the effect of the type and amount of expandable graphite (EG) and blackcurrant pomace (BCP) on the flammability, thermal stability, mechanical properties, physical, and chemical structure of viscoelastic polyurethane foams (VEF). For this purpose, the polyurethane foams containing EG, BCP, and EG with BCP were obtained. The content of EG varied in the range of 3–15 per hundred polyols (php), while the BCP content was 30 php. Based on the obtained results, it was found that the additional introduction of BCPs into EG-containing composites allows for an additive effect in improving the functional properties of viscoelastic polyurethane foams. As a result, the composite containing 30 php of BCP and 15 php of EG with the largest particle size and expanded volume shows the largest change in the studied parameters (hardness (H) = 2.65 kPa (+16.2%), limiting oxygen index (LOI) = 26% (+44.4%), and peak heat release rate (pHRR) = 15.5 kW/m2 (−87.4%)). In addition, this composite was characterized by the highest char yield (m600 = 17.9% (+44.1%)). In turn, the change in mechanical properties is related to a change in the physical and chemical structure of the foams as indicated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 110
Author(s):  
Flaminio Sales ◽  
Andrews Souza ◽  
Ronaldo Ariati ◽  
Verônica Noronha ◽  
Elder Giovanetti ◽  
...  

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a polymer that has attracted the attention of researchers due to its unique properties such as transparency, biocompatibility, high flexibility, and physical and chemical stability. In addition, PDMS modification and combination with other materials can expand its range of applications. For instance, the ability to perform superhydrophobic coating allows for the manufacture of lenses. However, many of these processes are complex and expensive. One of the most promising modifications, which consists of the development of an interchangeable coating, capable of changing its optical characteristics according to some stimuli, has been underexplored. Thus, we report an experimental study of the mechanical and optical properties and wettability of pure PDMS and of two PDMS composites with the addition of 1% paraffin or beeswax using a gravity casting process. The composites’ tensile strength and hardness were lower when compared with pure PDMS. However, the contact angle was increased, reaching the highest values when using the paraffin additive. Additionally, these composites have shown interesting results for the spectrophotometry tests, i.e., the material changed its optical characteristics when heated, going from opaque at room temperature to transparent, with transmittance around 75%, at 70 °C. As a result, these materials have great potential for use in smart devices, such as sensors, due to its ability to change its transparency at high temperatures.


1966 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Stewart ◽  
Edward A. C. Follett

Phragmites communis, Eriophorum vaginatum, Calluna vulgaris, and Sphagnum palustre are representative of plants whose remains are frequently encountered in Scottish peat deposits. The effects of preservation in peat on the surface features of their leaves were followed by electron microscopy. Wax projections were observed on the surfaces of mature living leaves of Phragmites and Eriophorum but not on Calluna or Sphagnum. Details of cell wall outlines and stomata (or pores) were clearly defined in Phragmites, Eriophorum, and Sphagnum, but obscured in Calluna. The previous year's leaves differed by displaying a general absence of wax projections, an erosion of the cuticular surface, which took the form of either a loss in definition of the cell wall outlines or a definite etching of the surface, and the presence of numerous microorganisms. The surface features of preserved leaves exhibited to a greater degree this erosion of cell wall outline and cuticular surface. This preliminary study has indicated that major alterations in the submicroscopic features of cuticularized leaf surfaces occur at the leaf litter stage. The primary agents responsible for this degradation would appear to be microorganisms in conjunction with the physical and chemical processes of peat formation.


Holzforschung ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Stanzl-Tschegg ◽  
Wilfried Beikircher ◽  
Dieter Loidl

Abstract Thermal modification is a well established method to improve the dimensional stability and the durability for outdoor use of wood. Unfortunately, these improvements are usually accompanied with a deterioration of mechanical performance (e.g., reduced strength or higher brittleness). In contrast, our investigations of the hardness properties in the longitudinal direction of beech wood revealed a significant improvement with thermal modification. Furthermore, we applied instrumented indentation tests on different hierarchical levels of wood structure (growth ring and cell wall level) to gain closer insights on the mechanisms of thermal treatment of wood on mechanical properties. This approach provides a variety of mechanical data (e.g., elastic parameters, hardness parameters, and viscoelastic properties) from one single experiment. Investigations on the influence of thermal treatment on the mechanical properties of beech revealed similar trends on the growth ring as well as the on the cell wall level of the wood structure.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Sadot Herrera-Sosa ◽  
Gonzalo Martínez-Barrera ◽  
Carlos Barrera-Díaz ◽  
Epifanio Cruz-Zaragoza

In polymer reinforced concrete, the Young’s modulus of both polymers and cement matrix is responsible for the detrimental properties of the concrete, including compressive and tensile strength, as well as stiffness. A novel methodology for solving such problems is based on use of ionizing radiation, which has proven to be a good tool for improvement on physical and chemical properties of several materials including polymers, ceramics, and composites. In this work, particles of 0.85 mm and 2.80 mm obtained from waste tire were submitted at 250 kGy of gamma radiation in order to modify their physicochemical properties and then used as reinforcement in Portland cement concrete for improving mechanical properties. The results show diminution on mechanical properties in both kinds of concrete without (or with) irradiated tire particles with respect to plain concrete. Nevertheless such diminutions (from 2 to 16%) are compensated with the use of high concentration of waste tire particles (30%), which ensures that the concrete will not significantly increase the cost.


Holzforschung ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianfeng Xu ◽  
Xiaoyan Li ◽  
Ling Long ◽  
Ru Liu

AbstractIn this work, a novel waterborne hyperbranched polyacrylate (HBPA) dispersed organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) emulsion was synthesized and used for the treatment of wood in a vacuum environment in order to enhance the physical and mechanical properties of the wood. The sapwood of Cathay poplar (Populus cathayana Rehd.) and Radiata pine (Pinus radiata D.Don) were used as the samples for experimentation. The results showed that the physical and mechanical properties of the wood improved significantly due to the successful penetration of the OMMT and HBPA into the wood cell wall. From it was also observed that OMET completely exfoliated from the HBPA matrix and formed a hydrophobic film covering on the inside walls of the cell lumen. Further, it was observed that the poplar sample displayed better mechanical properties than the pine sample because the pine has a more compact structure when compared to poplar and contains rosin. Furthermore, it was also observed that the mechanical properties of the modified wood sample gradually improved with an increase in the concentration of the emulsion. However, excessive concentration (>4 wt%) did not lead to further improvement.


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