Biomass Materials: Synthesis, Functionalisation, and Applications

A special issue of Biomass (ISSN 2673-8783).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (18 June 2024) | Viewed by 3327

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Devices, School of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
2. Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, P.O. Box 1186, GR-45110 Ioannina, Greece
Interests: sustainable material science; sustainable composites; thermal properties; crystallization; degradation; kinetics; structural characterization
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomass materials have emerged as a focal point in contemporary materials science, offering sustainable alternatives to conventional resources. This Special Issue, entitled "Biomass Materials: Synthesis, Functionalisation, and Applications", encapsulates the growing interest in and significance of these materials in various industries and scientific communities.

Biomass materials are derived from organic sources, including agricultural residues (such as crop stalks and husks), forestry residues (like wood chips and sawdust), algae, and even specific energy crops. Unlike fossil fuels or traditional materials, biomass materials are renewable, making them an attractive choice in the context of sustainability. They offer an eco-friendly alternative that aligns with the urgent need to reduce the environmental impact of industrial processes and energy production.

The synthesis of biomass materials involves the conversion of raw biomass into usable forms. Various techniques are employed to achieve this, depending on the source and desired end product. Common methods include pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction, torrefaction, and mechanical processes such as milling and extrusion. Each method is tailored to optimize the characteristics of the resulting biomass material, whether for energy generation, composite materials, or bio-based chemicals. Functionalisation is a critical aspect of enhancing the utility and versatility of biomass materials. By introducing specific functional groups or surface modifications, researchers can tailor these materials to meet diverse application requirements. Surface modification techniques include chemical grafting, plasma treatment, and nanoparticle deposition. Composite formation, which blends biomass materials with polymers, ceramics, or other materials, can enhance mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Additionally, functional group addition, like introducing hydroxyl, carboxyl, or amino groups, improves compatibility and reactivity with other materials. The versatility of biomass materials lends itself to a wide array of applications. Notably, biomass materials can be converted into biofuels, such as bioethanol, biodiesel, and biogas, serving as sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. In addition to the energy sector, they are used in biocomposites, reinforcing materials in industries such as construction, automotive, and aerospace. Biomass-derived bio-based chemicals, including organic acids and solvents, find applications in various chemical processes. Adsorbents made from biomass materials are effective in removing pollutants and heavy metals from water and air, addressing environmental challenges. In the realm of biomedicine, biomass materials contribute to the development of drug delivery systems, tissue engineering scaffolds, and wound dressings, capitalizing on their biocompatibility and sustainability. Furthermore, they are utilized in food packaging and preservation, reducing the environmental footprint of traditional packaging materials.

At its core, this Special Issue seeks to advance research and innovation in the development of composite materials, chemicals, and products that embody sustainability principles. The objective is to create materials that are environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable, thereby promoting a more sustainable future across industries. By focusing on biomass materials, the issue addresses critical global challenges, including resource depletion, environmental degradation, and climate change.

Prof. Dr. George Z. Papageorgiou
Dr. Evangelia Tarani
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biomass materials 
  • synthesis 
  • functionalisation 
  • applications 
  • renewable resources 
  • eco-friendly design 
  • sustainability 
  • composite materials 
  • bio-based chemicals 
  • biocomposites

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 5201 KiB  
Article
Valorisation of Tomato Waste as a Source of Cutin for Hydrophobic Surface Coatings to Protect Starch- and Gelatine-Blend Bioplastics
by Marta Mroczkowska, David Culliton, Kieran J. Germaine, Manasa Hegde, Edmond F. Tobin and Adriana Cunha Neves
Biomass 2024, 4(3), 990-1004; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass4030055 - 2 Sep 2024
Viewed by 811
Abstract
The valorisation of food by-products is an important step towards sustainability in food production. Tomatoes constitute one of the most processed crops in the world (160 million tonnes of tomatoes are processed every year), of which 4% is waste. This translates to 6.4 [...] Read more.
The valorisation of food by-products is an important step towards sustainability in food production. Tomatoes constitute one of the most processed crops in the world (160 million tonnes of tomatoes are processed every year), of which 4% is waste. This translates to 6.4 million tonnes of tomato skins and seeds. Currently, this waste is composted or is used in the production of low-value animal feed; higher value can be achieved if this waste stream is re-appropriated for more advanced purposes. Plant cuticle is a membrane structure found on leaves and fruit, including tomatoes, and is mainly composed of cutin. The main function of plant cuticle is to limit water loss from the internal tissue of the plant. Cutin, which can be recovered from the tomato skins by pH shift extraction, has hydrophobic (water repellent) properties and is therefore an ideal raw material for the development of a novel water-resistant coating. In this study, biomass-based bioplastics were developed. Unfortunately, although these bioplastics have good mechanical properties, their hydrophilic nature results in poor water barrier properties. To mitigate this, a very effective water-resistant coating was formulated using the cutin extracted from tomato peels. The water vapour permeability rates of the bioplastics improved by 74% and the percentage swelling of the bioplastic improved by 84% when treated with the cutin coating. With physicochemical properties that can compete with petroleum-based plastics, these bioplastics have the potential to address the growing market demand for sustainable alternatives for food packaging. Using ingredients generated from by-products of the food processing industries (circular economy), the development of these bioplastics also addresses the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Materials: Synthesis, Functionalisation, and Applications)
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17 pages, 5723 KiB  
Article
Optimization of the Factors Affecting Biogas Production Using the Taguchi Design of Experiment Method
by Sidahmed Sidi Habib, Shuichi Torii, Kavitha Mol S. and Ajimon Charivuparampil Achuthan Nair
Biomass 2024, 4(3), 687-703; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass4030038 - 2 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1164
Abstract
The present study analyzed the effect of temperature, pH, pre-treatment and mixing ratio on the anaerobic digestion process. The parameters during the anaerobic co-digestion of cow manure and food waste were then optimized using the Taguchi experimental design method. ANOVA was carried out [...] Read more.
The present study analyzed the effect of temperature, pH, pre-treatment and mixing ratio on the anaerobic digestion process. The parameters during the anaerobic co-digestion of cow manure and food waste were then optimized using the Taguchi experimental design method. ANOVA was carried out to find the significant parameters which influence biogas production. Experimental tests were carried out at laboratory-scale reactors kept at different temperatures (28 °C, 35 °C, and 50 °C). The specific methanogenic performance (SMP) during anaerobic digestion at higher temperatures was characterized with the analysis of acetate, propionate, butyrate, hydrogen, glucose, and formate, and was validated with the literature. The improvement of biogas production with different pre-treatments, i.e., ultrasonic, autoclave, and microwave techniques, was also analyzed. The results showed that the reactor that was maintained at 35 °C showed the highest biogas production, while the reactor that was maintained at a lower temperature (28 °C) produced the lower volume of biogas. As the retention time increases, the amount of biogas production increases. Methanogenic activities of microorganisms were reduced at higher temperature conditions (65 °C). Biogas production increased by 28.1%, 20.23%, and 13.27% when the substrates were treated with ultrasonic, autoclave, and microwave, respectively, compared to the untreated substrate. The optimized condition for the highest biogas production during anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and cow manure is a temperature of 35 °C, a pH of 7 and a mixing ratio (CM:FW = 1.5:0.5). ANOVA showed that temperature is the most important input parameter affecting biogas production, followed by mixing ratio. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Materials: Synthesis, Functionalisation, and Applications)
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13 pages, 7807 KiB  
Article
Investigating Degradation in Extrusion-Processed Bio-Based Composites Enhanced with Clay Nanofillers
by Ahmed Tara, Mouhja Bencharki, Angélique Gainvors-Claisse, Françoise Berzin, Omar Jbara and Sébastien Rondot
Biomass 2024, 4(3), 658-670; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass4030036 - 1 Jul 2024
Viewed by 733
Abstract
This research investigates the extrusion-based fabrication and characterization of nanocomposites derived from bio-sourced polypropylene (PP) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS: a biodegradable polymer derived from renewable biomass sources such as corn or sugarcane), incorporating Cloisite 20 (C20) clay nanofillers, with a specific focus on [...] Read more.
This research investigates the extrusion-based fabrication and characterization of nanocomposites derived from bio-sourced polypropylene (PP) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS: a biodegradable polymer derived from renewable biomass sources such as corn or sugarcane), incorporating Cloisite 20 (C20) clay nanofillers, with a specific focus on their suitability for electrical insulation applications. The research includes biodegradation tests employing the fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium to evaluate the impact of composition and extrusion conditions. These tests yield satisfactory results, revealing a progressive disappearance of the PBS phase, as corroborated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations and a reduction in the intensity of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) peaks associated with C-OH and C-O-C bonds in PBS. Despite positive effects on various properties (i.e., barrier, thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties, etc.), a high clay content (5 wt%) does not seem to enhance biodegradability significantly, highlighting the specific sensitivity of the PBS phase to the addition of clay during this process. This study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of factors conditioning nanocomposite biodegradation processes and highlights the need for an integrated approach to understanding these processes. This is the first time that research has focused on studying the degradation of nanocomposites for electrical insulation, utilizing partially bio-sourced materials that contain PBS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomass Materials: Synthesis, Functionalisation, and Applications)
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