Search Results (39)

Petroleum-based plastics are non-renewable and degrade poorly, persisting in the environment and causing serious ecological pollution, so urgent development of alternatives is needed. In this study, all-bamboo fiber thermosetting plastics (BTPs) were successfully prepared through selective sodium periodate oxidation of bamboo fibers followed by hot-pressing. The results demonstrate that the oxidation treatment effectively enhanced fiber reactivity and facilitated the formation of dense composite materials during hot-pressing. Compared with petroleum-based plastics (e.g., PVC), BTPs exhibit outstanding mechanical properties: flexural strength reaches 100.73 MPa, tensile strength reaches 83.31 MPa, while the 72 h water absorption and thickness swelling rates are as low as 5.36% and 4.59%, respectively. This study also reveals the mechanism by which residual lignin affects material microstructure formation through competitive oxidation reactions. Although it imparts initial hydrophobicity, it hinders complete fiber activation, leading to the formation of micro-defects. Furthermore, BTPs can completely degrade in 1% NaOH solution within 24 h, demonstrating excellent degradability. This research provides a new strategy for developing high-performance, degradable all-bamboo-based materials and promotes the value-added utilization of bamboo resources. Full article

Developing sustainable, high-performance biomass composites is crucial for replacing non-renewable structural materials. In this study, a “bamboo steel” composite was fabricated using a multilevel modification strategy involving alkali pretreatment, toughened resin impregnation, and surface functionalization. Bamboo fibers were treated to remove hemicellulose and lignin, enhancing porosity and interfacial bonding. The bamboo scaffold was subsequently impregnated with a thermo-plastic polyurethane-modified epoxy resin to create a robust, interpenetrating network. The optimized composite (treated at 80 °C) exhibited a flexural strength of 443.97 MPa and a tensile strength of 324.14 MPa, demonstrating exceptional stiffness and toughness. Furthermore, a superhydrophobic coating incorporating silica nanoparticles was applied, achieving a water contact angle exceeding 150° and excellent self-cleaning properties. This work presents a scalable strategy for producing bio-based structural materials that balance mechanical strength with environmental durability. Full article

Bamboo rhizomes, the belowground stems of bamboo, play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning and material cycling; however, they have long been regarded as forest residues, receiving limited research attention. This review systematically summarizes current knowledge on the anatomical structure, chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties, and applications of bamboo rhizomes, thereby highlighting their potential for high–value utilization. Based on existing studies, a three-tier framework of rhizome characteristics is proposed: (1) age–driven changes, including lignin deposition, cellulose distribution, and cell wall development; (2) interspecific differences in chemical and anatomical traits, which modulate mechanical performance and durability; and (3) functional differentiation between rhizomes and culms, reflecting adaptation to belowground environments. Within this framework, the structural, chemical, and physicomechanical properties of bamboo rhizomes exhibit tight coupling, thus providing theoretical guidance for species selection, harvesting strategies, and processing. Moreover, bamboo rhizomes have been applied in handicrafts, agricultural organic fertilizers, and composite materials, and they show emerging potential in high-friction functional materials and bio–based composites. Nevertheless, systematic investigations remain limited, particularly regarding structure–property relationships, interspecific performance variability, and optimized processing technologies. Therefore, future research should focus on multidimensional characterization, elucidation of structure–property coupling mechanisms, and development of high–value processing techniques, in order to promote the transformation of bamboo rhizomes into value–added products, thereby supporting green bamboo industry development and the “Bamboo Instead of Plastic” initiative. Full article

To advance “bamboo-as-plastic-substitute” initiatives and the sustainable use of furniture materials, this study investigates flattened bamboo sheets by determining their principal-direction elastic constants and evaluating two common furniture T-joints—dowel-jointed panel-type and right-angle mortise-and-tenon frame-type—through tensile and bending load-bearing tests alongside finite element (FE) comparisons. The results show a pronounced anisotropy, with the longitudinal elastic modulus markedly higher than in other directions. At the joint level, the average ultimate load-bearing capacities were 4.06 kN (panel-type tension), 3.70 kN (frame-type tension), 0.264 kN (panel-type bending), and 0.589 kN (frame-type bending). Under identical structural configurations and boundary conditions, the tensile and bending capacities of flattened bamboo sheets were comparable to or exceeded those of the comparator materials (MDF, cherry wood, bamboo-based composites), and failures predominantly occurred in the adhesive layer rather than the bamboo substrate. Across four representative cases, FE predictions achieved a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 6.5% with a maximum relative error of 12.5%; the regression correlation was R² ≈ 0.999 based on four paired observations, which should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size. The study validates that FE models driven by experimentally measured anisotropic parameters can effectively reproduce the mechanical response of flattened bamboo T-joints, providing a basis for structural design, lightweighting, and parameter optimization in furniture applications. Further work should characterize adhesive systems, environmental durability, and interfacial failure mechanisms to enhance the model’s general applicability. Full article

This study investigates the co-pyrolysis behavior of two lignocellulosic biomass blends, bamboo (B), and rice straw (R) with a plastic polyethylene (P). A total of 15 samples, including binary and ternary blends, were analyzed. Firstly, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed to reveal high crystallinity in the B25R75 blend (I/I_c = 13.39). Whereas, the polyethylene samples showed persistent ZrP₂O₇ and lazurite phases (I/I_c up to 3.12) attributed to additives introduced during the manufacturing of the commercial plastic feedstock. In addition, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) spectroscopy was performed to characterize the surface morphology and elemental composition of the feedstock. Moreover, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed at temperatures up to 700 °C at three different heating rates (5, 10, and 20 °C/min) under pyrolysis conditions. Kinetic analysis used TGA data to calculate activation energy via Friedman’s isoconversional method, and the blended samples exhibited a decrease in activation energy compared to the individual components. Furthermore, the study evaluated transient interaction effects among the components by assessing the deviation between experimental and theoretical weight loss. This revealed the presence of significant synergistic behavior in certain binary and ternary blends. The results demonstrate that co-pyrolysis of bamboo and rice straw with polyethylene enhances thermal decomposition efficiency and provides a more favorable energy recovery route. Full article

Continuous fibers with outstanding mechanical performance due to the continuous enhancement effect, show wide application in aerospace, automobile, and construction. There has been great success in developing continuous synthetic fiber-reinforced composites, such as carbon fibers or glass fibers; however, most of which are nonrenewable, have a high processing cost, and energy consumption. Bio-sourced materials with high reinforced effects are attractive alternatives to achieve a low-carbon footprint. In this study, continuous bamboo fiber-reinforced polyethylene (CBF/PE) composites were prepared via a facile two-step method featuring alkali treatment followed by 3D printing. Alkali treatment as a key processing step increases surface area and surface wetting, which promote the formation of mechanical riveting among bamboo fibers and matrix. The obtained treated CBF (T-CBF) also shows improved mechanical properties, which enables a superior reinforcement effect. 3D printing, as a fast and local heating method, could melt the outer layer PE tube and impregnate molten plastics into fibers under pressure and heating. The resulting T-CBF/PE composite fibers can achieve a tensile strength of up to 15.6 MPa, while the matrix PE itself has a tensile strength of around 7.7 MPa. Additionally, the fracture morphology of printed bulks from composite fibers shows the alkali-treated fibers–PE interface is denser and could transfer more load. The printed bulks using T-CBF/PE shows increased tensile strength and Young’s modulus, with 77%- and 1.76-times improvement compared to pure PE. Finally, the effect of printing paraments on mechanical properties were analyzed. Therefore, this research presents a potential avenue for fabricating continuous natural fiber-reinforced composites. Full article

The finger-joint technique is an effective and economical method for producing bamboo scrimber composites for structural engineering and construction applications. This study investigates the failure modes and mechanical strength of finger-jointed bamboo scrimber specimens and composite beams loaded parallel and perpendicular to the finger profile orientation. Results indicate that the primary failure mode in finger-jointed bamboo scrimber specimens is damage to the finger-joint area. In V-type composite beams, primary failure was observed as the separation of laminated boards and finger joints, while in H-type beams, large cracks formed and expanded alongside finger joint damage. No statistically significant difference was observed in the modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) between the two types of finger-jointed bamboo scrimber. However, the MOR of the finger-jointed bamboo scrimber specimens decreased significantly, by more than 50% compared to the control, while the MOE increased. The ultimate load capacity and displacement of the V-type beams were higher. Under bending, the V-type beams demonstrated elastic deformation, whereas the H-type beams exhibited initial elastic deformation followed by elasto-plastic deformation. Strain distribution along the height of both beam types remained linear, consistent with the plane-section assumption. Full article

Bamboo is widely distributed around the world as an excellent renewable resource. However, the structural and morphological changes in the bamboo samples in extracting bamboo cellulose fiber using alkaline-acidic sodium chlorite are unclear, and the potential for preparation of cellulose packaging films is yet to be explored. In this paper, the changes in micro-morphology, chemical structure, and pyrolytic behavior of moso bamboo powder during alkaline and acidic sodium chlorite pretreatment were intensively investigated. The bamboo cellulose fiber (BC) diameter decreased from 14.41 to 11.79 µm with the treatment as a result of the removal of amorphous materials such as lignin and hemicellulose. The BC was dissolved in NaOH/urea aqueous solution, and all-cellulose composite films were obtained with excellent mechanical properties and high transparency. When the BC contents reached 4 wt%, the resulting films had a light transmittance of about 90% in the visible light range (400–780 nm), and the tensile strength was as high as 57.9 MPa, which was much higher than that of the polyethylene packaging film (PE, 35 MPa). In addition, the film also suggests superior biodegradability compared to PE films. Therefore, the current shortage of raw materials and environmental pollution faced by plastic packaging materials may be expected to gain new inspiration in this study. Full article

Valorization of potential thermoplastic waste is an effective strategy to address resource scarcity and reduce valuable thermoplastic waste. In this study, new ecofriendly biomass-derived wood polymer composites (WPCs) were produced from three different types of recycled polyethylene (PE) municipal waste, namely linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), medium-density polyethylene (MDPE), or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and their blend with equal composition (33/33/33 by wt.%). Bamboo particle reinforcement derived from indigenous Ethiopian lowland bamboo (LLB), which had never been utilized before in a WPC formulation, was used as the dispersed phase. Before utilization, recycled LLDPE, MDPE, and HDPE were carefully characterized to determine their chemical compositions, residual metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and thermal properties. Similarly, the fundamental mechanical properties of the WPCs, such as tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, flexural strength, modulus of rupture, and unnotched impact strength, were evaluated. Finally, the thermal stability and interphase coupling efficiency of maleic-anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) were carefully investigated. WPCs formulated by melt-blending either of the recycled PEs or the blend of recycled PE with bamboo particles showed significant improvement due to MAPP enhancing interfacial adhesion and thermally induced crosslinking, despite inherent immiscibility. These results were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The formulated WPCs may promote PE waste cascading valorization, offering sustainable alternatives and maximizing LLB utilization. Furthermore, comparison with well-known standards for polyolefin-based WPCs indicated that the prepared WPCs can be used as alternative sustainable building materials and related applications. Full article

Bamboo beams are often reinforced with built-in steel sections to enhance their strength and load-bearing capacity. In this paper, we studied the effect of different parameters, including the location of the hole, the hole size, and the thicknesses of the steel and bamboo, on the mechanical properties of reinforced beams. The damage patterns, deformation characteristics, and force-transfer mechanisms, as well as the mechanical properties of reinforced beams with different hole shapes, underwent non-linear finite element analysis. The damage sustained by the reinforced bamboo beam differed from that of the traditional bamboo beam; two diagonal points formed a plastic hinge, mainly during the process of shear damage to the hole. It was determined that the hole size and the thickness of the bamboo have the greatest influence on the mechanical properties of the reinforced beam. The damage characteristics of the composited beams with different holes are similar; the bearing capacity of reinforced beams with open square holes is reduced by 10%–25%compared with circular holes. Full article

Plastics reinforced with glass fiber have a significant likelihood of being replaced by natural fiber hybrid composites (NFHCs). Making holes helps in part assembly, which is a crucial activity in the machining of composite constructions. As a result, choosing the right drill bit and cutting parameters is crucial to creating a precise and high-quality hole in composite materials. The present study employs the Taguchi approach to examine the delamination behavior and hole quality of ramie–bamboo composite laminates consisting of epoxy and nano-fillers (SiC, Al₂O₃) with feed, spindle speed, and three distinct drill bit types. Surface roughness and delamination are significantly influenced by feed and spindle speed, as indicated by the results of the analysis of variance. It was found that the spindle speed had a major impact on the delamination factor and surface roughness, while the feed and drill bit type had a minor influence. The surface roughness (76.5%) and delamination factor (66.7%) are significantly affected by the spindle speed. Full article

As the most promising biomass material, bamboo has been widely used, but at the same time, it is subject to many problems, such as processing residues and the failure of high-value utilization of residues. In this paper, bamboo powder and polybutylene succinate (PBS) were used as the main raw materials, and by changing the ratio of bamboo powder to PBS and adding polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) in combination with PBS, the effects of the ratio, as well as the effects of the use of PP and PE, on the physical–mechanical, thermal, and degradation properties of bamboo–plastic composites were investigated, and the microscopic changes of the materials were studied by chemical component analysis. The optimal formulation of bamboo powder/PBS composite material has been identified through experimentation, yielding a flexural strength of 24.87 MPa and a compressive strength of 29.74 MPa. This material can be used for outdoor furniture, wall panels, flooring, road barriers, and other applications, providing a new environmentally friendly approach to the consumption of residual bamboo materials. Full article

This study aimed to obtain a comprehensive understanding on bamboo as a curve-member manufacturing material by comparative analysis of how different treatment methods on bending properties improve the effect on bamboo strips. In order to achieve this purpose, bamboo strips were subjected to water boiling, 15% NaOH, and 25% NH₃ impregnation; the impact of physical, mechanical and chemical properties were explored. The results revealed that: (1) Water boiling significantly affected crystallinity, cellulose, and lignin content, with a treatment duration of 10 h showing the most favorable results for flexibility and plasticity, greatly improving bending performance. (2) An amount of 15% NaOH treatment significantly increased bending MOE and plastic displacement by 73% and 122.7%. However, it led to a noticeable decrease in bending strength (MOR). A treatment above 8 h could cause irreversible damage to bamboo strips. (3) The improvement of 25% NH₃ on bamboo bending ability was lower than water boiling. The effects of chemical composition were obvious in the initial five days and changed little after five days. Generally, water boiling for over 10 h is suitable for applications with significant bending requirements. While for maintaining bamboo color, original strength, and bending performance, 25% NH₃ for five days was recommended, and 15% NaOH was not advised for improving bamboo bending performance and its applications. Full article

The enhancement of the physical and mechanical properties and the anti-mildew performance of wood–plastic composites are of great significance for broadening their application field. In this research, bamboo fibers underwent treatments with safe, environmentally friendly bio-enzymes. Subsequently, a bamboo–plastic composite (BPC) was developed using the modified bamboo fibers and polyethylene. The effects of biological enzymatic treatments on the surface free energy, the chemical composition of the bamboo fibers, water resistance, thermal stability, bending performance, impact performance, and anti-mildew performance of the BPC samples were analyzed. This study revealed that treating bamboo powder with bio-enzymes (xylanase, lipase, laccase, pectinase, hemicellulase, or amylase) decreased the surface free energy and the polar components of the bamboo fibers while improving the surface O/C atomic ratio of the bamboo fibers. These enzyme treatments enhanced the water resistance, bending performance, and anti-mildew performance of the BPC samples. However, on the whole, the thermal stability of the composites decreased. Particularly, after hemicellulase treatment, the composites had the lowest water absorption, reflecting a decrease of 68.25% compared to the control group. With xylanase modification, the 24 h water absorption thickness swelling rate of the composites was the lowest, reflecting a decrease of 71.27% compared to the control group. After pectinase modification, the static bending strength and elastic modulus of the prepared composites were the highest, with an increase of 15.45% and 13.31%, respectively, compared to the unmodified group. After xylanase modification, the composites exhibited the best anti-mildew effect, with an anti-mold effectiveness of 74.67%. In conclusion, bio-enzyme treatments can enhance the physical and mechanical properties and anti-mildew performance of BPCs. This research provides a theoretical foundation for the preparation of high-performance wood–plastic composites. Full article

Natural fiber composites are receiving more and more attention because of their greenness and low cost. Among natural fibers, bamboo is characterized by fast growth, a short cultivation period, high strength and good toughness, and is one of the strongest natural fibers in the world. A bamboo-fiber-reinforced polymer composite (BFRPC) has the characteristics of high mechanical strength, low density, degradability, etc. It has the industrial applicability comparable to metal materials, the same strong corrosion resistance as composites such as glass and carbon fibers, and the same immunity to electromagnetic interference and low thermal conductivity as natural materials. Its unidirectional specific strength and unidirectional specific modulus is higher than that of glass fiber, second only to the extremely high price of carbon fiber, which is playing an increasingly important role in the field of composite materials, and can be widely used in the fields of wind power, construction, aviation, automotive, medical care and so on. At present, it has been initially used in packaging, automotive and transportation fields, and is expected to replace petroleum-based plastics in various fields. In addition to their environmental protection and green production, they have excellent physical properties. This paper provides an overview of the mechanical properties of bamboo-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites and thermoset composites that have been developed so far, such as tensile strength, flexural properties and impact strength. In addition, the prospects of bamboo-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites for automotive, packaging and agricultural applications are presented. Full article