Terephthalaldehyde–Phenolic Resins as a Solid-Phase Extraction System for the Recovery of Rare-Earth Elements

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are involved in most high technology devices and have become critical for many countries. The progress of processes for the extraction and recovery of REEs is therefore essential. Liquid–solid extraction methods are an attractive alternative to the conventional solvent extraction process used for the separation and/or purification of REEs. For this purpose, a solid-phase extraction system was investigated for the extraction and valorization of REEs. Ion-exchange resins were synthesized involving the condensation of terephthalaldehyde with resorcinol under alkaline conditions. The terephthalaldehyde, which is a non-hazardous aromatic dialdehyde, was used as an alternative to formaldehyde that is toxic and traditionally involved to prepare phenolic ion-exchange resins. The resulting formaldehyde-free resole-type phenolic resins were characterized and their ion-exchange capacity was investigated in regard to the extraction of rare-earth elements. We herein present a promising formaldehyde and phenol-free as a potential candidate for solid–liquid extraction REE with a capacity higher than 50 mg/g and the possibility to back-extract the REEs by a striping step using a 2 M HNO3 solution.

Prospects for obtaining phenol-formaldehyde oligomers

The article provides an overview of recent studies in the development of new methods for the synthesis and use of phenolformaldehyde oligomers. Prospects for carrying out scientific work in this direction, associated with the availability of raw materials, technological and applied aspects, have been substantiated. The main areas of application of phenolic resins have been identified. Special attention is paid to coatings, adhesives, binders, as well as carbon foams based on them. New methods for the modification of phenol-formaldehyde oligomers are described, as well as new compositions of modifying agents for the purposeful change in the complex of their properties.

CONDENSED TANNINS OF THE SPECIES PINUS TAEDA: EXTRACTION, CHARACTERIZATION AND POTENTIAL FORMULATION OF WOOD BIOADHESIVE

The species Pinus taeda was evaluated as a source of condensed tannins for the potential formulation of phenolic adhesives from the extraction of the wood cortex. Extraction yield, percentage of tannins and non-tannins, and reactivity to the formaldehyde by the Stiasny number were analyzed in the responses of the extraction processes with extractive agents sodium sulfite (Na2SO3), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and urea [(NH2)2CO] in the percentages of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 in relation to the weight of the bark of this species. The extracts were analyzed using the techniques of IR - Infrared Spectroscopy, SEM - Scanning Electron Microscopy, DRX- X-ray Diffractometry, and EDS - Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry. In another step, the formation time of the commercial tannin gel and of the P. taeda were compared in relation to formaldehyde. The results show that the specie have condensed tannins, and sustain that they are catechins. These catechins form polymers identified by SEM in less time in relation to the formaldehyde in the formation of the gel, suggesting that the tannins can be extracted from the species as a potentially new commercial source that lumber companies can use to manufacture phenolic resins.

Comparison of organic acid-based organosolv lignins extracted from the residues of five annual crops

Organosolv lignins were extracted from corn stover, wheat, rice straw, reed straw, and sugarcane bagasse using a mixture of acetic and formic acids, at relatively low temperature and atmospheric pressure. Lignin content, residual carbohydrates, ash levels, proteins, and molecular weights were determined in each extracted lignin. The lignin content of all samples was relatively high, confirming the performance of the pretreatment process. The low molecular weights were in a narrow range, in accordance with the organosolv lignin molar masses. However, some differences between studied lignins were highlighted, in particular in rice straw lignin, which contained the highest silica, calcium, and nitrogen contents. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies (31P and semi-quantitative Heteronuclear Single Quantum Correlation) underlined the structural similarities and differences between these organosolv lignins. Corn stover and sugarcane bagasse lignins were rich in non-methoxylated (H-Unit) or mono-methoxylated (G-Unit) phenolic units, making them the best promising candidates for production of phenolic resins. Wheat straw lignin was richer in aliphatic OH than in phenolic OH. This is an advantage for use as polyol substitute in polyurethane synthesis. Reed straw lignin was less specific, with a balanced content of OH groups. However, it contained a high concentration of β-O-4 linkages, which is favorable for depolymerization.

Quantum Leap on the Way to the Energy Turnaround with Fuel Cells: Super-Thin Films of Graphite Bipolar Plates: Thin, Flexible and Highly Conductive

Efficient bipolar plates are needed to store electricity from renewable energies. Here the focus is concentrating on graphite-compound-Bipolar plates, which are one of the most used components in a Fuel Cell Stack system. Among other things, polypropylene is a suitable matrix material, but other polymer materials such as PPS and PVDF and phenolic resins can also be considered. However, for a correspondingly high conductivity in the fuel cell system, the plastic must be filled with up to more than 80 % graphite. To ensure that the compound is not brittle afterwards and is as easy to process as possible, an impact modify cation was further developed that makes it possible to produce thin films.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES PREDICTION OF PHENOLIC RESIN: A MOLECULAR DYNAMICS STUDY

Carbon-carbon composites (CCCs) widely used in the aerospace and automotive industries due to their excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Phenolic resins have a relatively high carbon yield, which makes them a suitable candidate for CCCs manufacturing. Molecular Dynamics (MD) can further reduce costs by predicting properties of a material before manufacturing and testing. In the present work, a Molecular Dynamics (MD) model of a crosslinked phenolic resin was developed to predict mechanical properties by implementing the fix bond/react algorithm in LAMMPS. The predicted mass density (ρ) and Young’s Modulus (E) agree well with experimental values and highlights the validity of the topologybased approach to building stable molecular models of phenolic resins.

Investigation of pore size distribution by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) technique applied on different OSB panels

Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) is a technique used to characterize the pore size distribution and resin penetration in lignocellulosic materials, such as oriented strand board specimens (OSB), a multilayer panel utilized in structural applications. The method is based on the isostatic injection, under very high pressure, of a non-wetting fluid (mercury) into the porous material to determine parameters such as pore size distribution and percentage of porosity of the specimens. In this study, five different OSB were analyzed; they contained different wood species, resin type, and resin content. The panels manufactured with castor oil polyurethane resin showed porosity values in the range of 54.7 and 27.8%. This was a promising result compared with those obtained for panels made with phenolic resins, which are currently commercialized in Brazil.