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Leather, Textile and Bio-Based Materials: Production Processes, Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Assessment

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Composites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2024) | Viewed by 9458

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Valeika Virgilijus

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Guest Editor

Department of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Kaunas University of Technology, Radvilenu pl. 19, 50254 Kaunas, Lithuania
Interests: leather processing technologies; biopolymers; application of enzymes in biotechnologies

Prof. Dr. Viktoriia Plavan

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Guest Editor

Department of Applied Ecology, Technology of Polymers and Chemical Fibers, Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, 2, Nemirovich-Danchenko str., 01011 Kyiv, Ukraine
Interests: collagen; biopolymers; materials science; polymeric materials for medical application; textile engineering; textile chemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite the rapid development of a wide range of new materials with very different properties, materials such as leather, textiles made from natural fibers, and other bio-based materials remain indispensable because of their unique properties. These are materials that people use and touch almost every day. For these reasons, the processing of these materials and the production of products from them play a very important role in the world economy, and this situation can be expected to continue for a very long time.

Although leather, natural textiles, and other bio-based materials are very established and well-known subjects of research, new research is being carried out, with the results revealing the previously unknown potential of new treatments to give unexpected properties to the objects studied. Completely new alternative processing technologies are being developed. All this shows that the possibilities for research on these well-known objects are endless.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect original contributions exploring the processing, properties, structures, and uses of bio-based materials for various purposes. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to) processes development, structural changes, mechanical characterization, exploitation properties, and analytical and numerical methods to model, simulate, and predict the behavioral properties of the materials and products produced.

Prof. Dr. Valeika Virgilijus
Prof. Dr. Viktoriia Plavan
Guest Editor

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Keywords

leather processing
collagen changes
tanning
application of enzymes
wool
textile functions
natural fibres’ biocompatibility
composites containing bio-based materials
biodegradability of biomaterials
hydrolysis of biomaterials
life cycle assessment

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1761 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Life Cycle Assessment of Production of Hydrochar via Hydrothermal Carbonization of Date Palm Fronds Biomass

by Chun-Yang Yin, Mohanad El-Harbawi and Zhong-Tao Jiang

Materials 2023, 16(20), 6653; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16206653 - 11 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 906

Abstract

This study presents novel life cycle assessment (LCA) findings on hydrochar production from Saudi-Arabia-based date palm fronds biomass waste using hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). The LCA procedure incorporated normalization, weighting, and improvement assessment. The system boundary encompassed water consumption and energy requirements within a lab setting representing a gate-to-gate process. The OpenLCA 1.11.0 software with the European Life Cycle Database 3.2 (ELCD 3.2) was utilized for the study and we employed the ReCiPe Midpoint (H) 2016 and Environmental Footprint 3.0 (EF 3.0) impact assessment methods. The results indicated that fossil fuel usage represented the most significant impact category with the HTC and drying processes identified as major contributors. It was also observed that the HTC process exerted far greater detrimental impacts on the environment than the biomass grinding process. The overwhelming impact of fossil fuel resources could be mitigated by optimizing the batches of biomass or hydrochar samples in each operation, which could alleviate fossil fuel consumption by up to 94%. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the environmental burden and contribute to sustainable hydrochar production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leather, Textile and Bio-Based Materials: Production Processes, Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Assessment)

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16 pages, 6599 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Skin Friction: Mechanical and Tribological Characterization of Different Papers Used in Everyday Life

by Luís Vilhena, Luís Afonso and Amílcar Ramalho

Materials 2023, 16(16), 5724; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16165724 - 21 Aug 2023

Viewed by 792

Abstract

The coefficient of friction for different contacting materials against skin is mainly influenced by the nature of the materials (synthetic and natural fabrics), mechanical contact parameters (interfacial pressure and sliding velocities), and physiological skin conditions (ambient humidity and skin moisture content). In the present research work, seven different types of papers used in everyday life were analyzed. The physical properties of these materials were determined through tensile tests and friction tests. By comparing mechanical properties with coefficient of friction, it was possible to conclude that the coefficient of friction is strongly correlated with the mechanical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leather, Textile and Bio-Based Materials: Production Processes, Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Assessment)

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18 pages, 9093 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unveiling Sustainable Potential: A Life Cycle Assessment of Plant–Fiber Composite Microcellular Foam Molded Automotive Components

by Tao Feng, Wei Guo, Wei Li, Zhenghua Meng, Yao Zhu, Feng Zhao and Weicheng Liang

Materials 2023, 16(14), 4952; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16144952 - 11 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1684

Abstract

The development and utilization of new plant–fiber composite materials and microcellular foam molding processes for the manufacturing of automotive components are effective approaches when achieving the lightweight, low-carbon, and sustainable development of automobiles. However, current research in this field has mainly focused on component performance development and functional exploration, with a limited assessment of environmental performance, which fails to meet the requirements of the current green and sustainable development agenda. In this study, based on a life cycle assessment, the resource, and environmental impacts of plant–fiber composite material automotive components and microcellular foam molding processes were investigated. Furthermore, a combined approach to digital twinning and life cycle evaluation was proposed to conduct resource and environmental assessments and analysis. The research results indicate that under current technological conditions, resource and environmental issues associated with plant–fiber composite material automotive components are significantly higher than those of traditional material components, mainly due to differences in their early-stage processes and the consumption of electrical energy and chemical raw materials. It is noteworthy that electricity consumption is the largest influencing factor that causes environmental issues throughout the life cycle, especially accounting for more than 42% of indicators such as ozone depletion, fossil resource consumption, and carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, the microcellular foam molding process can effectively reduce the environmental impact of products by approximately 15% and exhibits better overall environmental performance compared to chemical foaming. In future development, optimizing the forming process of plant–fiber composite materials, increasing the proportion of clean energy use, and promoting the adoption of microcellular foam injection molding processes could be crucial for the green and sustainable development of automotive components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leather, Textile and Bio-Based Materials: Production Processes, Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Assessment)

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13 pages, 2889 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Production of Cationic Starch-Based Flocculants and Their Application in Thickening and Dewatering of the Municipal Sewage Sludge

by Edita Lekniute-Kyzike, Joana Bendoraitiene, Vesta Navikaite-Snipaitiene, Laura Peciulyte and Ramune Rutkaite

Materials 2023, 16(7), 2621; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16072621 - 25 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1477

Abstract

Polymer flocculants are used to promote solid–liquid separation processes in wastewater treatment technologies, and bio-based flocculants possess many advantages over conventional synthetic polymers. Potato starch microgranules were chemically modified and mechanically sheared to produce modified starch flocculants. The effectiveness of produced cationic starch (CS) and cross-linked cationic starch (CCS) flocculants in the thickening and dewatering of surplus activated sewage sludge was evaluated and compared with that of synthetic cationic flocculants (SCFs) The flocculation efficiency of SCF, CS, and CCS in sludge thickening was determined by measuring the filtration rate of treated surplus activated sludge. Comparing the optimal dose of SCFs and CCS flocculants needed for thickening, the CCS dose was more than 10 times higher, but a wide flocculation window was determined. The impact of used flocculants on the dewatering performance of surplus activated sludge at optimal dose conditions was investigated by measuring capillary suction time. The filtration efficiencies (dewaterability) of surplus activated sludge using SCF, CS, and CCS were 69, 67, and 72%, respectively. The study results imply that mechanically processed cross-linked cationic starch has a great potential to be used as an alternative green flocculant in surplus activated sludge thickening and dewatering operations in municipal sewage sludge treatment processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leather, Textile and Bio-Based Materials: Production Processes, Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Assessment)

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13 pages, 1218 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wet Blue Enzymatic Treatment and Its Effect on Leather Properties and Post-Tanning Processes

by Renata Biškauskaitė and Virgilijus Valeika

Materials 2023, 16(6), 2301; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16062301 - 13 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1109

Abstract

Due to their variety, specific activity, and mild reaction conditions, enzymes have a wide application in beam house processes such as soaking, dehairing, bating, and de-greasing. Recently, due to improvements in biotechnology, re-bating after chroming has received increased attention. The aim of this work was to investigate the application of enzyme preparation in the re-bating process and its effect on the semifinished and finished product, as well as its influence on post-tanning operations. The enzymatic treatment of chromed semifinished leather (wet blue) led to a higher shrinkage temperature (1–6 °C), greater water vapour absorption (0.3–5.5%), better chromium compounds exhaustion during re-chroming (4–21%), and better dye penetration. Moreover, collagen was affected during the enzymatic process; the results showed a greater concentration influence in the operation compared to the process time. On the other hand, no effect on the physical and mechanical properties and fat-liquoring process was observed. Overall, these results indicate that some properties and processes are improved; however, before use for re-bating, every enzyme should be carefully investigated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leather, Textile and Bio-Based Materials: Production Processes, Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Assessment)

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13 pages, 4092 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermoresponsive Shape-Memory Biobased Photopolymers of Tetrahydrofurfuryl Acrylate and Tridecyl Methacrylate

by Justinas Jaras, Aukse Navaruckiene and Jolita Ostrauskaite

Materials 2023, 16(6), 2156; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16062156 - 07 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1140

Abstract

A series of thermoresponsive shape-memory photopolymers have been synthesized from the mixtures of two biobased monomers, tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate and tridecyl methacrylate, with the addition of a small amount of 1,3-benzendithiol (molar ratio of monomers 0–10:0.5:0.03, respectively). Ethyl (2,4,6 trimethylbenzoyl) phenylphosphinate was used as photoinitiator. The calculated biorenewable carbon content of these photopolymers was in the range of (63.7–74.9)%. The increase in tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate content in the photocurable resins resulted in a higher rate of photocuring, increased rigidity, as well as mechanical and thermal characteristics of the obtained polymers. All photopolymer samples showed thermoresponsive shape-memory behavior when reaching their glass transition temperature. The developed biobased photopolymers can replace petroleum-derived thermoresponsive shape-memory polymer analogues in a wide range of applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leather, Textile and Bio-Based Materials: Production Processes, Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Assessment)

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22 pages, 3766 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrospraying of Bio-Based Chitosan Microcapsules Using Novel Mixed Cross-Linker: Experimental and Response Surface Methodology Optimization

by Lydia Uko, Hussien Noby, Abdelrahman Zkria and Marwa ElKady

Materials 2022, 15(23), 8447; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15238447 - 27 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1133

Abstract

Chitosan microcapsules draw attention due to their biodegradability, biocompatibility, antibacterial behavior, low cost, easy processing, and the capability to be used for different applications. This study utilized the electrospraying technique for the chitosan microcapsules formulation. As a novel cross-linking agent, a mixture of oxalic acid and sodium phosphate dibasic was utilized as a collecting solution for the first time in the electrospraying of chitosan microcapsules. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was utilized to optimize the spherical morphology and size of the experimentally obtained microcapsules. The different parameters, including chitosan concentration, applied voltage, flow rate, and tip-to-collector (TTC) distance, affecting the microcapsules’ size, sphericity, yield, and combined effects were optimized using Surface Responses Methodology (RSM). The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was utilized to obtain the impact of each parameter on the process responses. Accordingly, the results illustrated the significant impact of the voltage parameter, with the highest F-values and least p-values, on the capsule size, sphericity, and yield. The predicted optimum conditions were determined as 5 wt% chitosan concentration, 7 mL/h flow rate, 22 kV, and 8 cm TTC distance. The predicted responses at the optimized conditions are 389 µm, 0.72, and 80.6% for the capsule size, sphericity, and yield, respectively. While the validation of the model prediction was conducted experimentally, the obtained results were 369.2 ± 23.5 µm, 0.75 ± 0.04, and 87.3 ± 11.4%, respectively. The optimization process was successfully examined for the chitosan microcapsules manufacturing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leather, Textile and Bio-Based Materials: Production Processes, Environmental Impact and Life Cycle Assessment)

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