Gustavo Henrique Denzin Tonoli

Cellulose micro/nanofibres from Eucalyptus kraft pulp: Preparation and properties

There is growing interest in cellulose nanofibres from renewable sources for several industrial applications. However, there is a lack of information about one of the most abundant cellulose pulps: bleached Eucalyptus kraft pulp. The objective of the present work was to obtain Eucalyptus cellulose micro/nanofibres by three different processes, namely: refining, sonication and acid hydrolysis of the cellulose pulp. The refining was limited by the low efficiency of isolated nanofibrils, while sonication was more effective for this purpose. However, the latter process occurred at the expense of considerable damage to the cellulose structure. The whiskers obtained by acid hydrolysis resulted in nanostructures with lower diameter and length, and high crystallinity. Increasing hydrolysis reaction time led to narrower and shorter whiskers, but increased the crystallinity index. The present work contributes to the different widespread methods used for the production of micro/nanofibres for different applications.

Performance and Durability of Cement Based Composites Reinforced with Refined Sisal Pulp

This work evaluates the influence of three different intensities of refinement of sisal pulp and the effect of accelerated aging cycles on the behavior of composites. Fiber-cements were prepared by the slurry de-watering method and pressing as a crude simulation of the Hatschek process. Mechanical behavior of composites was evaluated by four-point bending test at 28 days, and after 50 and 100 wet/dry cycles. Refinement of pulp and aging have increased the strength and bulk density of composites and decreased the toughness and porosity. The best mechanical performance after aging was achieved for samples with highly refined fibers.

Impact of bleaching pine fibre on the fibre/cement interface

The goal of this article was to evaluate the surface characteristics of the pine fibres and its impact on the performance of fibre–cement composites. Lower polar contribution of the surface energy indicates that unbleached fibres have less hydrophilic nature than the bleached fibres. Bleaching the pulp makes the fibres less stronger, more fibrillated and permeable to liquids due to removal the amorphous lignin and its extraction from the fibre surface. Atomic force microscopy reveals these changes occurring on the fibre surface and contributes to understanding the mechanism of adhesion of the resulting fibre to cement interface. Scanning electron microscopy shows that pulp bleaching increased fibre/cement interfacial bonding, whilst unbleached fibres were less susceptible to cement precipitation into the fibre cavities (lumens) in the prepared composites. Consequently, bleached fibre-reinforced composites had lower ductility due to the high interfacial adhesion between the fibre and the cement and elevated rates of fibre mineralization.

Evaluation of reaction factors for deposition of silica (SiO2) nanoparticles on cellulose fibers

This study aimed to evaluate reaction conditions for deposition of SiO2 nanoparticles on the surface of cellulose fibers and their influence on moisture adsorption of the hybrid organic-inorganic material formed. SiO2 nanoparticle deposition was carried out with the sol-gel process testing four reaction times (2, 12, 18, and 24h) and three contents of the tetraethyl-orthosilicate (TEOS) precursor (1.9, 4.2 and 8.4g g(-1) of cellulose fiber). Modification time and TEOS content directly influence the amount of Si deposited on the fiber surface, nanoparticle diameter distribution, thermal stability, and resistance to moisture adsorption. There is a tendency of slight increase of nanoparticle size and the amount of Si deposited with increasing reaction time. SiO2 nanoparticles were bonded on the surface of the cellulose fibers and are able to improve thermal stability of the material, increasing onset degradation temperature. The moisture adsorption capacity of the modified cellulose fiber was reduced up to 50%.

Hybrid Reinforcement of Sisal and Polypropylene Fibers in Cement-Based Composites

Several studies using vegetable fibers as the exclusive reinforcement in fiber-cement composites have shown acceptable mechanical performance at the first ages. However, after the exposure to accelerated aging tests, these composites have shown significant reduction in the toughness or increase in embrittlement. This was mainly attributed to the improved fiber-matrix adhesion and fiber mineralization after aging process. The objective of the present research was to evaluate composites produced by the slurry dewatering technique followed by pressing and air curing, reinforced with combinations of polypropylene fibers and sisal kraft pulp at different pulp freeness. The physical properties, mechanical performance, and microstructural characteristics of the composites were evaluated before and after accelerated and natural aging. Results showed the great contribution of pulp refinement on the improvement of the mechanical strength in the composites. Higher intensities of refinement resulted in higher modulus of rupture for the composites with hybrid reinforcement after accelerated and natural aging. The more compact microstructure was due to the improved packing of the mineral particles with refined sisal pulp. The toughness of the composites after aging was maintained in relation to the composites at 28 days of cure.

Sisal organosolv pulp as reinforcement for cement based composites

The present work describes non-conventional sisal (Agave sisalana) chemical (organosolv) pulp from residues of cordage as reinforcement to cement based materials. Sisal organosolv pulp was produced in a 1:1 ethanol/water mixture and post chemically and physically characterized in order to compare its properties with sisal kraft pulp. Cement based composites reinforced with organosolv or kraft pulps and combined with polypropylene (PP) fibres were produced by the slurry de-watering and pressing method as a crude simulation of the Hatschek process. Composites were evaluated at 28 days of age, after exposition to accelerated carbonation and after 100 soak/dry cycles. Composites containing organosolv pulp presented lower mechanical strength, water absorption and apparent porosity than composites reinforced with kraft pulp. The best mechanical performance after ageing was also achieved by samples reinforced with kraft pulp. The addition of PP fibres favoured the maintenance of toughness after ageing. Accelerated carbonation promoted the densification of the composites reinforced with sisal organosolv + PP fibres.

How the chemical nature of Brazilian hardwoods affects nanofibrillation of cellulose fibers and film optical quality

A wide range of alternative cellulose fibers for the development of new green nanomaterials can be obtained from Brazil’s natural resources. The objective of the work is to evaluate the influence of the chemical composition of hardwoods on the nanofibrillation process and optical quality of nanofiber films. Wood wastes were selected from three native Amazonian species and from exotic planted Eucalyptus grandis species. Wood sawdust was submitted to chemical alkali and bleaching pretreatments. Nanofibers were produced from the bleached fibers after 10, 20, 30 and 40 passes through a Super Mass Colloider grinder, and films were produced by the casting method. Raw sawdust, alkali-treated fibers and bleached fibers were evaluated by the major chemical components, syringyl/guaiacyl ratio, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, oxygen/carbon ratio and scanning electron microscopy. Morphological characteristics of nanofibers and films were analyzed by transmission and scanning electron microscopies. Optical parameters studied for the films were the opacity, total color difference and b value. The main challenge to delignification was attributed to the low syringyl/guaiacyl ratio. The different chemical natures of Amazonian and eucalyptus hardwoods greatly affected pretreatments and, consequently, the nanofibrillation and optical quality of the films. Consequences observed for highly purified cellulose starting fibers are: (1) lower diameters for individual nanofiber elements; (2) fewer opaque and colored films produced from nanofibers; (3) a tendency to stabilization of the nanofibrillation process after 20 passes through the grinder. For species whose chemical nature hindered cellulose purification, the increased number of passes through the grinder continuously decreased the opacity.

Extruded Cement Based Composites Reinforced with Sugar Cane Bagasse Fibres

The extrusion process can produce composites with high-density matrix and fibre packing, low permeability and fibre matrix bond strengthening. This process is also compatible with the use of vegetable fibres as raw materials in the production of cost-effective construction elements such as ceiling panels. Sugar cane bagasse fibres (SCF), one of the largest cellulosic agroindustrial by-products of sugar and alcohol industry available in Brazil, are a renewable resource usually used as a biomass fuel for the boilers. The remaining bagasse is still a source of contamination to the environment, so there is a great interest on exploiting novel applications to sugar cane bagasse fibres. In this work, the effect of SCF on extruded cementitious composite performance was evaluated. Three different contents of SCF were considered, using cellulose pulp as secondary micro-reinforcement to improve the resistance to the appearance of microcracks. Composites were prepared using a laboratory Auger extruder with vacuum chamber and were tested after 28 days of water curing and after 200 accelerated ageing cycles. Modulus of rupture (MOR) and Tenacity (TE) of extruded composites were assessed by four point bending test. Water absorption and apparent volume were determined by water immersion. Microstructure behavior was evaluated by mercury intrusion porosimetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results indicated that the introduction of larger fibres increased tenacity (TE) at 28 days and favored a higher amount of macropores (0.1 to 1 mm); SEM observations confirmed that fibre degradation occurred after 200 cycles.

Desempenho de telhas de escória de alto forno e fibras vegetais em protótipos de galpões

The substitution of cement asbestos by safer and equally economical alternatives has being searched for throughout the world. The usage of vegetal staple fiber as agglomerate in tropical countries where these residues are abundant has shown it self to be viable. In this study, roofing tiles fabricated with cement base Portland CPII 32Z (ABNT NBR-5735), blast furnace slag (EAF), active silica reinforced with cellulose pulp staple fibers of sisal (Agave sisalana) were compared with cement asbestos roofing tiles with white paint and ceramic roofing tiles. Prototypes of poultry facilities were used and lamps simulated the heat produced by the birds. Indices ITU, ITGU, CTR and entalpy (H) were employed for the characterization of the thermal atmospheric comfort and the results showed that the alternative roofing tiles were similar to the ceramic tiles and could be used as a substitute for asbestos roofing tiles.

MICRO/NANOFIBRILAS CELULÓSICAS DE EUCALYPTUS EM FIBROCIMENTOS EXTRUDADOS

Uma forma alternativa para producao de fibrocimento e a extrusao, que permite entre muitas vantagens a producao de compositos cimenticios com geometrias diferenciadas e requer baixo investimento inicial para producao industrial. Nesse contexto,o objetivo desse trabalho foi obter micro/nanofibrilas celulosicas de Eucalyptus e avaliar o efeito da adicao de diferentes conteudos dessas micro/nanofibrilas nas propriedades fisico-mecânicas de fibrocimentos envelhecidos naturalmente e em ambiente climatizado. Micro/nanofibrilas celulosicas produzidas em desfibrilador mecânico foram caracterizadas quanto a sua morfologia. Compositos extrudados produzidos com 0,5% e 1,0% (em massa) de micro/nanofibrilas foram comparados com compositos sem micro/nanofibrilas. Compositos produzidos a partir das tres formulacoes foram submetidos aoenvelhecimento natural e em ambiente controlado para posterior caracterizacao por flexao estatica, vibracao flexural e propriedades fisicas. Nao houve diferenca significativa no modulo de ruptura (MOE), limite de proporcionalidade (LOP), e deformacao especifica total entre os compositos com reforco de 0,5 e 1,0% de micro/nanofibrilas e aqueles sem reforco. O modulo elastico estatico (MOE) aumentou, e a energia especifica diminuiu com 1,0% de micro/nanofibrilas. O modulo de elasticidade dinâmico (E) dos compositos aumentou com o incremento do conteudo de micro/nanofibrilas (1,0%) e do tempo de exposicao ao envelhecimento natural e controlado. O presente estudo indica que as propriedades fisicas (absorcao de agua - AA, porosidade aparente - PA e densidade aparente - DA) e mecânicas de fibrocimentos sao sensiveis a formulacao e que esse comportamento varia em funcao do tempo (135 dias). Essas informacoes devem ser consideradas uteis para o desenvolvimento de novos materiais reforcados com micro/nanofibrilas de celulose.