Natural lignocellulose fibers have been extensively investigated and applied as a reinforcement of polymer composites in industrial applications from food packing to automotive parts. Among the advantages of natural fibers stands their relatively low cost and sustainable characteristics. These are accentuated in the case of residual fibers such as those obtained from coffee husks, an agribusiness waste, usually burnt or disposed into the environment. As composite reinforcement, hydrophilic natural fibers display adhesion problems to the most hydrophobic polymer matrices. This adhesion might be improved with distinct types of fibers surface treatments. In the present work, the effectiveness of three surface treatments applied to coffee husk fiber wastes (CHFW) were investigated, aiming to improve the tensile performance of castor oil-based polyurethane (COPU) biocomposites. The effects of treatments associated with (i) chemical with sodium hydroxide, (ii) physical by temperature and pressure and hydrothermic treatment, and (iii) biological by fermentation with Phanerochaete Chrysosporium fungus were evaluated by means of Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analyses and morphology by scanning electron microscopy for different concentration of NaOH, different hydrothermic times at 121 °C/98 kPa and exposition to P. chrysosporium. The most effective treatment was the hydrothermal one at 121 °C and 98.06 kPa for 30 min. Preliminary tensile tests were performed in COPU biocomposites reinforced with 20% CHFWs subjected to the optimized conditions for each distinct type of treatment. The results indicated that the hydrothermal treatment promoted significant enhancement in the fiber/matrix interfacial bond, increasing the tensile strength up to 60% compared to COPU reinforced with in natura CHFWs fibers. It is important to mention that these composites can be applied as plastic wood for household items’ internal parts and in the automobile industry.

Growth in world demand for wood implies a search for new fast growing species with silvicultural potential, and in this scenario for native species such as Paricá . Thus, the objective of this study was determining the physical and mechanical wood properties of the Schizolobium amazonicum species (known as Paricá in Brazil). Trees were collected from commercial plantations located in the north of Brazil with ages of 5, 7, 9 and 11 years. Four logs from trees of each age in the longitudinal direction of the trees were obtained, and later a diametrical plank of each log was taken to manufacture the specimens which were used to evaluate some physical and mechanical properties of the wood. The basic density of Paricá was reduced in the basetop direction and no difference between the radial positions was observed, while the average basic density of this wood was characterized as low. The region close to the bark showed less longitudinal contraction and also greater homogeneity of this property along the trunk, while for tangential contraction the smallest variation was found in the region near the pith. Paricá wood contraction was characterized as low. Age influenced most of the mechanical properties, where logs from the base had the highest values of mechanical strength.

Summary: Environmental adaptation and cell differentiation processes are factors that influence the anatomical elements of wood. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of water deficit on lignin composition in anatomical elements and on the characteristics of vessel-neighboring cells. Six-year-old clones of Eucalyptus urophylla and Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus camaldulensis from wet and dry regions were used. All regions received a rainfall exclusion treatment. Cell wall width, cell wall thickness, and form factor of fibers close to and far from vessels were measured. In the same cells, lignin was measured in the middle lamella and vessels by a fluorescence technique. The vessel differentiation process affected cell wall thickness and lignin composition in neighboring cells. Lignin composition was increased in vessels compared to fibers or vasicentric tracheids. Middle lamella lignin was not affected by vessel differentiation or water deficit in either eucalyptus clone. E. grandis × E. camaldulensis is originally from a dry climate region and, therefore, did not suffer alterations in lignin when subjected to water stress conditions; however, this clone exhibited a higher number of vasicentric tracheids. E. urophylla is originally from a humid climate region and, when subjected to water deficit, showed increased wood lignin composition, which seems to be a strategy for better use of water resources. Alterations in lignin composition of vessel, vasicentric tracheid, and fiber cell walls resulting from exposure to water deficit conditions vary according to eucalyptus species.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of extractives soluble in hot water, besides final carbonization temperatures, on the gravimetric yield and properties of charcoal for waste of three native forest species from the Amazon region. Waste cuttings of Ipé, Grapia and Maçaranduba species, from the machine processing for joinery of a company in the State of Pará, were used. Carbonization was carried out in an adapted electric furnace with a heating rate of 1.67°C min^-1 and final temperatures of 500, 600 and 700°C. The waste was carbonized fresh after extraction in hot water to remove extractives. Gravimetric yields were analyzed, as well as chemical features and high heating value. In the evaluation of the experiment, arranged in a factorial scheme with three factors (species x temperature x material with and without extraction), and Principal Component Analysis used too. The presence of extractives (soluble in hot water) from wood waste had little influence on the gravimetric yield and immediate chemical composition of charcoal; however, it showed a greater high heating value and lower contents of hydrogen and nitrogen. The increase in the final carbonization temperature reduced the gravimetric yield in charcoal, the content of volatile materials and hydrogen, with a higher content of fixed carbon, carbon and high heating value. The treatments with the best energy characteristics were obtained from Ipé and Maçaranduba charcoals with extractives produced at 600°C, in addition to Ipê and Maçaranduba charcoals with and without extractives obtained at 700°C.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da idade, da irrigação e do espaçamento na composição química da madeira de eucalipto. O material utilizado constituiu de dois clones de Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla com idades de seis e 12 meses, provenientes de plantios em duas regiões, uma irrigada e outra não irrigada, com espaçamentos de 3 x 0,5; 1,5 x 2; 3 x 1; 3 x 2; e 3 x 3 m. Na análise química da madeira, foi realizada uma amostragem composta dos seis discos obtidos ao longo do fuste das árvores. Ao final do trabalho, foi possível verificar a influência da idade, do espaçamento e da irrigação na composição química da madeira e que o teor de holocelulose não seguiu padrão de tendência, havendo diferentes resultados em cada tratamento. Maiores valores de teor de extrativos ocorreram nos clones não irrigados e com idade de seis meses, não sendo verificadas influências dos espaçamentos. Os maiores resultados de teor de lignina foram obtidos nos maiores espaçamentos, embora não tenha sido verificado tendência de resultados de teor de lignina para idade e tratamento com irrigação. O teor de cinzas foi superior na idade de seis meses, e não se verificou tendência de resultados nos diferentes espaçamentos e regiões.

The incorporation of natural lignocellulosic fibers as reinforcements in polymer composites has witnessed significant growth due to their biodegradability, cost-effectiveness, and mechanical properties. This study aims to evaluate castor-oil-based polyurethane (COPU), incorporating different contents of coconut coir fibers, 5, 10, and 15 wt%. The investigation includes analysis of the physical, mechanical, and microstructural properties of these composites. Additionally, this study evaluates the influence of hydrothermal treatment on the fibers, conducted at 120 °C and 98 kPa for 30 min, on the biocomposites’ properties. Both coir fibers (CFs) and hydrothermal-treated coir fibers (HTCFs) were subjected to comprehensive characterization, including lignocellulosic composition analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The biocomposites were subjected to water absorption analysis, bending tests, XRD, SEM, FTIR, and TGA. The results indicate that the 30 min hydrothermal treatment reduces the extractive content, enhancing the interfacial adhesion between the fiber and the matrix, as evidenced by SEM. Notably, the composite containing 5 wt% CF exhibits a reduced water absorption, approaching the level observed in pure COPU. The inclusion of 15 wt% HTCF results in a remarkable improvement in the composite’s flexural strength (100%), elastic modulus (98%), and toughness (280%) compared to neat COPU. TGA highlights that incorporating CFs into the COPU matrix enhances the material’s thermal stability, allowing it to withstand temperatures of up to 500 °C. These findings underscore the potential of CFs as a ductile, lightweight, and cost-effective reinforcement in COPU matrix biocomposites, particularly for engineering applications.