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This paper deals with the development of cellulose nanofibres (CNFs) reinforced biopolymers for use in packaging applications. Cellulose nanofibres were extracted from sawdust by a combination of chemical and mechanical treatments. The extracted cellulose nanofibres were chemically modified (fCNFs) and characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Bionanocomposites were prepared from biopolymers polylactic acid/polybutylene succinate (PLA/PBS) and cellulose nanofibres by compounding in a twin-screw extruder followed by injection moulding. The developed bionanocomposites were subjected to mechanical and thermal characterisation. As part of product development, CNF-biopolymer pellets were also extruded into filaments which were then 3D printed into prototypes. This work is a successful demonstration of conversion of waste residues into value-added products, which is aligned to the principles of circular economy and sustainable development.
Maya John; Nokuzola Dyanti; Teboho Mokhena; Victor Agbakoba; Bruce Sithole. Design and Development of Cellulosic Bionanocomposites from Forestry Waste Residues for 3D Printing Applications. Materials 2021, 14, 3462 .
AMA StyleMaya John, Nokuzola Dyanti, Teboho Mokhena, Victor Agbakoba, Bruce Sithole. Design and Development of Cellulosic Bionanocomposites from Forestry Waste Residues for 3D Printing Applications. Materials. 2021; 14 (13):3462.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaya John; Nokuzola Dyanti; Teboho Mokhena; Victor Agbakoba; Bruce Sithole. 2021. "Design and Development of Cellulosic Bionanocomposites from Forestry Waste Residues for 3D Printing Applications." Materials 14, no. 13: 3462.
Ultrafiltration of lignin from black liquor was carried out in a stirred batch cell using polyethersulfone membranes. Parameters such as operating pressure, feed concentration, stirring rate and membrane cut-off size were varied and their effects on lignin retention and permeate flux were investigated. The operating pressure, feed concentration and stirring rate were varied in the ranges 150–350 kPa, 3–9% and 200–400 rpm, respectively. The membranes used had cut-off sizes of 5 kDa, 10 kDa and 20 kDa. A one-factor-at-a-time experimental design approach was applied in this study. Retention of lignin increased with increases in operating pressure, feed concentration and stirring rate, but decreased with an increase in molecular cut-off size of the membrane. Permeate flux on the other hand increased with increases in pressure, stirring rate and molecular cut-off size of the membrane but decreased with an increase in feed concentration. The extraction of lignin from black liquor was successfully carried out and extraction efficiencies as high as 86% could be achieved depending on the experimental conditions. The study was concluded with the recommendation of conducting additional experiments using a pilot plant in a continuous mode.
Paul Kekana; Bruce Sithole; Deresh Ramjugernath. Stirred cell ultrafiltration of lignin from black liquor generated from South African kraft mills. South African Journal of Science 2016, ume 112, 7 -7.
AMA StylePaul Kekana, Bruce Sithole, Deresh Ramjugernath. Stirred cell ultrafiltration of lignin from black liquor generated from South African kraft mills. South African Journal of Science. 2016; ume 112 (Number 11/):7-7.
Chicago/Turabian StylePaul Kekana; Bruce Sithole; Deresh Ramjugernath. 2016. "Stirred cell ultrafiltration of lignin from black liquor generated from South African kraft mills." South African Journal of Science ume 112, no. Number 11/: 7-7.
Mayowa Akeem Azeez; Jerome E Andrew; B. Bruce Sithole. A preliminary investigation of nigerian Gmelina arborea and Bambusa vulgaris for pulp and paper production. Maderas. Ciencia y tecnología 2016, 1 .
AMA StyleMayowa Akeem Azeez, Jerome E Andrew, B. Bruce Sithole. A preliminary investigation of nigerian Gmelina arborea and Bambusa vulgaris for pulp and paper production. Maderas. Ciencia y tecnología. 2016; (ahead):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMayowa Akeem Azeez; Jerome E Andrew; B. Bruce Sithole. 2016. "A preliminary investigation of nigerian Gmelina arborea and Bambusa vulgaris for pulp and paper production." Maderas. Ciencia y tecnología , no. ahead: 1.
The present study indicates that solid acid catalysis of crude tall oil (CTO) over a WO3/ZrO2 catalyst is effective in converting the CTO fatty acids components into biodiesel in high yield. Preparation of the catalyst by an impregnation method was selected and WO3 activity was best at a loading mass fraction of 5% to ZrO2 support and activation at 500°C for five hours under air at atmospheric pressure. Optimal reaction conditions were reaction temperature at 250°C; methanol to CTO molar ratio at 10; reaction time four hours, catalyst mass fraction of 3%; and stirring intensity at 625 rpm. The conversion at optimal reaction conditions was 70%. The catalyst was highly active at temperatures higher than 200°C. The biodiesel produced met some, but not all, the diesel quality parameters stipulated by standard specifications such as ASTM D6751 and EN14214.
Ntandoyenkosi Malusi Mkhize; B. Bruce Sitholé; Mbuyu Germain Ntunka. Heterogeneous Acid-Catalyzed Biodiesel Production from Crude Tall Oil: A Low-Grade and Less Expensive Feedstock. Journal of Wood Chemistry and Technology 2015, 35, 374 -385.
AMA StyleNtandoyenkosi Malusi Mkhize, B. Bruce Sitholé, Mbuyu Germain Ntunka. Heterogeneous Acid-Catalyzed Biodiesel Production from Crude Tall Oil: A Low-Grade and Less Expensive Feedstock. Journal of Wood Chemistry and Technology. 2015; 35 (5):374-385.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNtandoyenkosi Malusi Mkhize; B. Bruce Sitholé; Mbuyu Germain Ntunka. 2015. "Heterogeneous Acid-Catalyzed Biodiesel Production from Crude Tall Oil: A Low-Grade and Less Expensive Feedstock." Journal of Wood Chemistry and Technology 35, no. 5: 374-385.
Understanding the cause of effluent toxicity is an important requirement for its prevention, remediation and return to compliance. One component of the strategy entails identification and fingerprinting of additives or components in additives that may be the cause of the toxicity episodes. A number of additives used in pulp and papermaking are polymeric compounds that are suspect in effluent toxicity. Their analysis and detection is difficult as they are not amenable to analysis by normal techniques applicable to mill effluents such as gas chromatography. Py-GC/MS is a powerful analytical technique that can be used to fingerprint these additives. The presence of the additives is confirmed by fingerprint pyrograms of the additives (or components in the formulations of the additives) in conjunction with mass spectrometry. The technique has been used to fingerprint and quantify polymeric additives associated with mill effluent toxicity episodes.
B. Bruce Sitholé; Jorge Pimentel; Sharon Gibbons; Chu Watanabe. Using Py-GC/MS to fingerprint additives associated with paper mill effluent toxicity episodes. Journal of Environmental Monitoring 2012, 14, 2729 .
AMA StyleB. Bruce Sitholé, Jorge Pimentel, Sharon Gibbons, Chu Watanabe. Using Py-GC/MS to fingerprint additives associated with paper mill effluent toxicity episodes. Journal of Environmental Monitoring. 2012; 14 (10):2729.
Chicago/Turabian StyleB. Bruce Sitholé; Jorge Pimentel; Sharon Gibbons; Chu Watanabe. 2012. "Using Py-GC/MS to fingerprint additives associated with paper mill effluent toxicity episodes." Journal of Environmental Monitoring 14, no. 10: 2729.