Novel regenerated cellulose fibers from rice straw

Regenerated cellulose fibers from rice straws with a diameter of 10 to 25 μm and initial modulus of 11 to 13 GPa were prepared by wet spinning in rice straw/N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide (MMNO) solution. X‐ray diffraction analysis indicates that the rice straw regenerated fibers are classified as cellulose (II). This observation indicates a potential utility of rice straw as an alternative to wood pulp as a cellulose‐based fiber material. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 1705–1708, 2001     

Catalytic organosolv fractionation of willow wood and wheat straw as pretreatment for enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis

BACKGROUND: Ethanol‐based organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass is an effective pretreatment technology for enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis to produce sugars and lignin within a biorefinery. This study focuses on the catalytic effect of H₂SO₄, HCl, and MgCl₂ on organosolv pretreatment of willow wood and wheat straw. RESULTS: The use of catalysts improved fractionation of both feedstocks. The maximum enzymatic cellulose digestibility obtained was 87% for willow wood (using 0.01 mol L^?1 H₂SO₄ as catalyst) and 99% for wheat straw (0.02 mol L^?1 HCl). Non‐catalytic organosolv fractionation at identical conditions resulted in 74% (willow wood) and 44% (wheat straw) glucose yield by enzymatic hydrolysis. Application of catalysts in organosolv pretreatment was particularly effective for wheat straw. The influence of the acid catalysts was found to be primarily due to their effect on the pH of the organosolv liquor. Acid catalysts particularly promoted xylan hydrolysis. MgCl₂ was less effective than the acid catalysts, but it seemed to more selectively improve delignification of willow wood. CONCLUSION: Application of catalysts in organosolv pretreatment of willow wood and wheat straw was found to substantially improve fractionation and enzymatic digestibility. The use of catalysts can contribute to achieving maximum utilization of lignocellulosic biomass in organosolv‐based biorefineries. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

High temperature elemental losses and mineralogical changes in common biomass ashes

The elemental losses from ashes of common biomass fuels (rice straw, wheat straw, and wood) were determined as a function of temperature from 525 °C to below 1525 °C, within the respective melting intervals. The experimental procedure was chosen to approach equilibrium conditions in an oxidizing atmosphere for the specific ash and temperature conditions. All experiments were conducted in air and used the ashes produced initially at temperatures of 525 °C as reactants. Losses during the initial ashing at 525 °C were negligible, except for a K₂O loss of 26% for wood and a Cl loss of 20% for wheat straw. Potassium losses are positively correlated with temperature for all fuel ashes. The K₂O loss for wood ash commences at 900–1000 °C. Carbonate is detected in the wood ashes to about 700–800 °C and thus cannot explain the retention of K₂O in the ashes to 1000 °C. Other crystalline phases detected in the wood ashes (pericline and larnite) contain little or no potassium. Petrographic examinations of high temperature, wood ash products have failed to reveal potassium bearing carbonates, sulfates, or silicates. The release of potassium, thus, appears to be unrelated to the breakdown of potassium-bearing crystalline phases. The straw ashes show restricted potassium loss compared to wood ash. The potassium content declines for both straw ashes from about 750 °C. Cristobalite appears in the straw ashes at about 700–750 °C and is replaced by tridymite in the rice straw ash from about 1100 °C. Sylvite (KCl) disappears completely above 1000 °C. The Cl content starts to decline at about 700 °C, approximately at the same temperature as potassium, suggesting that the breakdown of sylvite is responsible for the losses. The K–Cl relations demonstrate that about 50% of K (atomic basis) released from breakdown of sylvite is retained in the ash. The presence of chlorine in the ash is, therefore, best attributed to the presence of sylvite. Potassium is easily accommodated in the silicate melt formed at temperatures perhaps as low as 700–800 °C from dehydration, recrystallization, and partial melting of amorphous components. Loss of potassium persists for ashes without remaining sylvite and points to the importance of release of potassium from partial melt at temperatures within the melting interval for the fuel ashes.     

Rheological characterization of concentrated cellulose solutions in 1‐allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride

The rheological properties of high concentrated wood pulp cellulose 1‐allyl‐3‐methy‐limidazolium Chloride ([Amim]Cl) solutions were investigated by using steady shear and dynamic viscoelastic measurement in a large range of concentrations (10–25 wt %). The measurement reveals that cellulose may slightly degrade at 110°C in [Amim]Cl and the Cox–Merz rule is valid for 10 wt % cellulose solution. All of the cellulose solutions showed a shear thinning behavior over the shear rate at temperature from 80 to 120°C. The zero shear viscosity (η_o) was obtained by using the simplified Cross model to fit experimental data. The η_o values were used for detailed viscosity‐concentration and activation energy analysis. The exponent in the viscosity‐concentration power law was found to be 3.63 at 80°C, which is comparable with cellulose dissolved in other solvents, and to be 5.14 at 120°C. The activation energy of the cellulose solution dropped from 70.41 to 30.54 kJ/mol with an increase of concentration from 10 to 25 wt %. The effects of temperature and concentration on the storage modulus (G′), the loss modulus (G″) and the first normal stress difference (N₁) were also analyzed in this study. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Mechanical behavior of agro‐residue‐reinforced polypropylene composites

In this research, fully environment‐friendly, sustainable and biodegradable composites were fabricated, using wheat straw and rice husk as reinforcements for thermoplastics, as an alternative to wood fibers. Mechanical properties including tensile, flexural, and impact strength properties were examined as a function of the amount of fiber and coupling agent used. In the sample preparation, three levels of fiber loading (30, 40, and 50 wt %) and two levels of coupling agent content (0 and 2 wt %) were used. As the percentage of fiber loading increased, flexural and tensile properties increased significantly. Notched Izod results showed a decrease in strength as the percentage of fiber increases. With addition of 50% fiber, the impact strengths decreased to 16.3, 14.4, and 16.4 J/m respectively, for wheat straw‐, rice husk‐, and poplar‐filled composites. In general, presence of coupling agent had a great effect on the mechanical strength properties. Wheat straw‐ and rice husk‐filled composites showed an increase in the tensile and flexural properties with the incorporation of the coupling agent. From these results, we can conclude that wheat straw and rice husk fibers can be potentially suitable raw materials for manufacturing biocomposite products. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Regenerated cellulose membrane prepared with ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride as solvent using wheat straw

BACKGROUND: Currently, cellulose membranes are prepared by cellulose acetate hydrolysis or chemical derivatization dissolution and regeneration using cotton pulp or wood pulp. In this study, the concept ‘lignocelluloses biorefinery’ was used, and good quality long fiber was fractionated from wheat straw using clean technologies. The objective of this study is to develop wheat straw cellulose to prepare regenerated cellulose membrane with ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl) as solvent. RESULTS: Wheat straw cellulose (WSC) fractionated from wheat straw contained 93.6% α‐cellulose and the degree of polymerization (DP) was 580. WSC was dissolved directly without derivatization in [BMIM]Cl. With increase in dissolving temperature, the DP of the regenerated cellulose dropped, which resulted in a decrease in the intensity of regenerated cellulose membrane. After regeneration in [BMIM]Cl, the WSC transformed from cellulose I to cellulose II, and the crystallinity of the regenerated cellulose was lower than the original cellulose. The regenerated WSC membrane had good mechanical performance and permeability, the tensile strength and breaking elongation were 170 MPa and 6.4%, respectively, the pure water flux was 238.9 L m^?2 h^?1 at 0.3 MPa pressure, and the rejection of BSA was stabilized at about 97%. CONCLUSION: Wheat straw cellulose fractionated from wheat straw satisfied the requirement to prepare regenerated cellulose membrane using ionic liquid [BMIM]Cl as solvent. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Enzymatic hydrolysis from carbohydrates of barley straw pretreated by ionic liquids

BACKGROUND: Lignocellulosic biomass offers many potential advantages in comparison with the traditionally used sugars or starchy biomass since it is very widely available and does not compete with food and feed production. The abundance and high carbohydrates content of barley straw make it a good candidate for bioethanol production in Europe. Since biomass must be pretreated before enzymatic hydrolysis to improve the digestibility of both the cellulose and the hemicellulose biomass, the use of ionic liquids (IL) has been proposed as an environment‐friendly pretreatment of biomass. RESULTS: Different pretreatment conditions were investigated to determine the effects of the experimental conditions (temperature and time) on the enzymatic digestibility of pretreated material. The pretreatment of barley straw with 1‐ethyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium acetate treatment resulted in up to a 9‐fold increase in the cellulose conversion and a 13‐fold increase in the xylan conversion when compared with the untreated barley straw. CONCLUSION: Ionic liquid pretreatment of barley straw at 110°C for 30 min, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis, leads to a sugar yield of 53.5 g per 100 g raw material. It is then ready available for conversion into ethanol and is equivalent to more than 86% from potential sugars. The increase in saccharification was possible due to rupture of the lignin–hemicellulose linkages by treatment with 1‐ethyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium acetate. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Optimisation of the alkaline peroxide pretreatment for the delignification of rice straw and its applications

Alkaline peroxide pretreatment for the delignification of rice straw was optimised by varying the concentrations of H₂O₂ and NaOH and changing the temperature and duration of the pretreatment. Changes in the lignin content, content of total carbohydrates and weight loss were measured during the pretreatments. Maximum delignification of 62% was obtained by pretreating rice straw at 50°C for 5h with 1.5% (w/v) NaOH and 1% (v/v) H₂O₂, The preferential loss of hemicellulose and lignin from the straw resulted in an increase in the cellulose content of the insoluble residue after pretreatment from 47% (untreated) to 67.79% (treated). The product of this treatment is characterised by having higher cellulose digestibility than untreated rice straw. It also has use as a carbohydrate source in ruminant feed since the in-vivo digestibility by the cow increased from 56.85 % to 76.54% (P < 0.001). The treated rice straw could also be used for commercial process such as the generation of Single Cell Protein. Growth of Sporotrichum pulverulentum on treated rice straw gave a protein product of 24.41 % as compared to 3.8% on untreated rice straw.     

Effect of nitrogen–phosphorus fire retardant blended with Mg(OH)2/Al(OH)3 and nano‐SiO2 on fire‐retardant behavior and hygroscopicity of poplar

The aim of the study was to screen any possible synergistic effects related to the combination of nitrogen–phosphorus fire retardant and Mg(OH)₂/Al(OH)_3. This combination is used to improve fire performance, especially smoke suppression of poplar through ultrasonic wave impregnation after microwave treatment. In this study, nano‐SiO₂ was used to impregnate poplar treated with nitrogen–phosphorus fire retardant and form a hydrophobic layer on wood cells in order to improve hygroscopicity and reduce water uptake. Cone tests and thermal analysis showed that poplar treated with blended fire retardant had improved behavior. Results show that a 20% and 25% nitrogen–phosphorus fire‐retardant solution (blended by adding 10% Mg(OH)₂/Al(OH)₃ based on the dry weight of nitrogen–phosphorus fire retardant) was more effective for smoke suppression. The heat release rate, total heat release, and total smoke production of a 25% nitrogen–phosphorus fire‐retardant solution blended by adding 10% Mg(OH)₂/Al(OH)₃ showed significant reduction. The char residual yield showed a marked increase to 35.5%. Fourier transform infrared analysis suggested a –CH₂–Si–CH₂– and Si–O–C stretching vibration in nano‐SiO₂ treated poplar, which greatly decreased the hygroscopicity of fire‐retardant‐treated poplar. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A novel approach for extracting cellulose nanofibers from lignocellulosic biomass by ball milling combined with chemical treatment

Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were isolated from kenaf fibers and wheat straw by formic acid (FA)/acetic acid (AA), peroxyformic acid (PFA)/peroxyacetic acid (PAA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) treatment; and subsequently through ball milling treatment. Characterization of extracted cellulose and cellulose nanofibers was carried out through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TEM images showed that extracted cellulose nanofibers had diameter in the range of 8–100 nm. FTIR and XRD results implied that hemicellulose and lignin were mostly removed from lignocellulosic biomass with an increase in crystallinity, and isolation of cellulose nanofibers was successful. The TGA results showed that decomposition temperature of cellulose nanofibers increased by about 27°C when compared with that of untreated lignocellulosic biomass. No significant change was observed in the decomposition temperature of bleached celluloses after ball milling. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42990.     

Enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis of rice straw pretreated by alkali assisted with photocatalysis technology

BACKGROUND: The fermentable sugars in lignocellulose are derived from cellulose and hemicellulose, which are not readily accessible to enzymatic hydrolysis because of their biological resistance, so that pretreatment of lignocellulose is needed for this process. In this work, a novel lignocellulose pretreatment method using alkali solution assisted by photocatalysis was investigated. RESULTS: The reaction conditions of nano‐TiO₂ dosage and photocatalysis time were optimized at 2 g L^?1 and 1 h, respectively. After pretreatment under these conditions, cellulose in rice straw was increased from 37.5% to 71.5%, and lignin decreased from 18.5% to 9.0%. The results of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the physical properties and microstructure of the straw were changed by this pretreatment, which favored the following enzymatic hydrolysis. The enzymatic hydrolysis rate of the straw pretreated using this technology was verified to be 73.96%, which was 2.56 times higher than that obtained with the alkali procedure. CONCLUSION: The proposed photocatalysis pretreatment technology was more efficient at degrading the lignin and hemicellulose in rice straw than alkali pretreatment, making it more readily available for the following enzymatic hydrolysis process. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Hydrothermal catalytic conversion of biomass for lactic acid production

The production of lactic acid has increased owing to growing polymer markets, increased demand in the chemical sector and many applications in the food industry. Biomass hydrothermal decomposition is potentially a method for lactic acid production. To obtain a higher yield of lactic acid, the influence of metal ions (Zn(II), Ni(II),Co(II) and Cr(III)) on biomass decomposition in sub‐critical water (T = 300 °C) was investigated and the catalyst function in the complex reaction network of biomass degradation was discussed. In comparison with a non‐catalytic process, the addition of 400 ppm Ni(II) catalyst increased the yield of lactic acid from 3.25% to 6.62% at 300 °C and 120 s for microcrystalline cellulose. The lactic acid yield for glucose was 9.51% for 400 ppm Co(II) catalyst at 300 °C and 120 s. In the case of Cr(III) and Ni(II), the conversion of maize straw, sawdust and rice husk first increased, and then decreased from 0 to 800 ppm. For catalyst Cr(III), Zn(II) and Ni(II), the conversion of wheat bran indicated a decreasing trend. Transition metal ions have a great influence on raw materials conversion to lactic acid. In the conversion of pyruvaldehyde to lactic acid, the ionic catalyzed Cannizzaro‐type reaction would take place. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Blending of Palm Mid-Fraction,Refined Bleached Deodorized Palm Kernel Oil or Palm Stearin for Cocoa Butter Alternative

This study evaluated the physicochemical properties of palm mid‐fraction (PMF), refined bleached deodorized palm kernel oil (RBDPKO) and refined bleached deodorized palm stearin (RBDPS) as binary mixtures in terms of their fatty acid compositions (GC), triacylglycerols (HPLC), solid fat contents (p‐NMR), melting behaviors (DSC) and polymorphisms (XRD) for cocoa butter (CB) alternative formulations. All the PMF/RBDPKO and RBDPS/RBDPKO blends showed mixtures of short/long‐chain fatty acids with corresponding triacylglycerols. 10–70 % PMF in RBDPKO showed a eutectic effect between 20 and 30 °C. However, a monotectic effect was observed at 10–15 °C for 20–40 % PMF in RBDPKO and 40–80 % of RBDPS in RBDPKO. For PMF/RBDPS blends, a monotectic effect was observed at less than 30 °C. Broad endotherms at 20–38 °C were observed for 30–50 % RBDPS in RBDPKO which are closer to CB, with polymorphs of β′₁ > β′₂ ? β₂ based on XRD analysis. 50–80 % PMF in RBDPS exhibited significantly higher contents of long‐chain fatty acids with the exception of stearic and lower constituents of monounsaturated triacylglycerols compared to CB. Broad endotherms were observed at 20–38 °C for 50–80 % PMF in RBDPS which are closer to CB, with β′₁ ? β′₂ > β₂. Therefore, 20–40 % PMF in RBDPKO, 30–50 % RBDPS in RBDPKO and 50–80 % PMF in RBDPS could be used as CB substitutes because of their comparable physicochemical behaviors.     

Extraction,purification and characterization of wax from flax (Linum usitatissimum) straw

The chemical composition and selected physical parameters of wax extracted from flax straw with supercritical CO₂ (SC‐CO₂) and hexane have been determined. From the GC/MS results, clear variations in composition and component distributions were observed between SC‐CO₂‐ and hexane‐extracted samples. The major components of the SC‐CO₂ and hexane extracts from three flax cultivars were: fatty acids (36–49%), fatty alcohols (20–26%), aldehydes (10–14%), wax esters (5–12%), sterols (7–9%) and alkanes (4–5%). Purification of SC‐CO₂‐extracted wax with silica gel chromatography yielded 0.4–0.5% (dry matter) and was composed primarily of wax esters (C₄₄, C₄₆ and C₄₈) and alkanes (C₂₇, C₂₉ and C₃₁). UV‐Vis scans of the purified wax samples exhibited two main peaks indicating the presence of conjugated dienes and carotenoids or related compounds. Fourier transform infrared results showed prominent peaks at 2918 (‐C‐H), 2849 (‐C‐H), 1745 (‐C=O), 1462 (‐C‐H), 1169 (‐C‐O) and 719 cm^–1 (‐(CH₂)_n‐), with NorLin wax showing a slightly deviating pattern compared to the other samples. Thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry revealed a mean melting point of 55–56 °C and oxidation temperatures of 146–153 °C for purified wax from flax straw processed using different procedures.     

All‐straw‐fiber composites: Benzylated straw as matrix and additional straw fiber reinforced composites

With the aim to utilize the waste biomass of wheat straw, all‐straw‐fiber composites were elaborately manufactured though producing plastic benzylated wheat straw (BWS) as matrix and reinforced by additional straw fibers (ASF). The extent of benzylation for wheat straw was greatly improved with the aid of ball milling pretreatment for 4 h. BWS yielded higher weight percent gain (WPG) under the same reaction conditions with the benzylation of wood flour, lower glass transition temperature (T_g) as well as better flowability upon heating compared to benzylated mulberry branches (BMB) with comparable WPG. All‐straw‐fiber composites performed higher ASF loading capacity and better mechanical properties with optimum ASF content than BMB based composites and by benzylation decreased water absorption significantly. SEM provided evidence for strong adhesion in the interface between BWS and ASF. From the overall performance, the All‐straw‐fiber composites can be regarded as a potential alternative to wood plastic composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:419–426, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from irrigated lowland rice paddies after wheat straw application and midseason aeration

Straw application and midseason drainage play role in controlling methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from rice paddy fields, but little information is available on their integrative effect on CH₄ and N₂O emissions. A two-year field experiment was conducted to study the combined effect of timing and duration of midseason aeration and wheat straw incorporation on mitigation of global warming potential (GWP) of CH₄ and N₂O emissions from irrigated lowland rice paddy fields. Results showed that incorporation of wheat straw increased CH₄ by a factor of 5–9 under various water regimes, but simultaneously decreased N₂O emission by 19–42 % during the rice growing season. Without straw incorporation, prolonged aeration significantly reduced the net 100-year GWP of CH₄ and N₂O emissions by 6 %, but also decreased rice production when compared with normal aeration. With straw incorporation, the lowest GWP was found by early aeration, which reduced GWP by 7 and 20 % in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Estimation of net GWPs of CH₄ and N₂O emissions indicated that early midseason drainage with straw incorporation offered the potential to mitigate CH₄ and N₂O emissions from irrigated lowland rice paddies in China.     

Graft copolymerization of acrylic acid onto cellulose: Effects of pretreatments and crosslinking agent

The graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and 2‐acrylamido 2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (AASO₃H) onto cellulose, in the presence or absence of crosslinking agent N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide (NMBA), by using different concentrations of ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) initiator in aqueous nitric acid solution at either 5 or 30°C was investigated. To investigate the effect of pretreatment of cellulose on the copolymerization, before some grafting reactions cellulose was pretreated with either 2 or 20 wt % NaOH solutions or heated in distilled water/aqueous nitric acid (2.5 × 10^?3 M) at 55°C. To determine how the excess of initiator affects the grafting and homopolymerization, separate reactions were carried out by removing the excess of ceric ions by filtration of the mixture of initiator solution and cellulose before the monomer addition. Extraction‐purified products were characterized by grafting percentage and equilibrium swelling capacity. Pretreatment of cellulose with NaOH solutions decreased the grafting percentage of copolymers. In the case of AA–AASO₃H mixtures, nonpretreated cellulose gave a higher grafting percentage than NaOH‐pretreated cellulose. Filtration also lowered the grafting of AA on the cellulose in the cases of pretreatment with either water or nitric acid. Copolymers with the highest grafting percentage (64.8%) and equilibrium swelling value (105 g H₂O/g copolymer) were obtained in grafting reactions carried out in the presence of NMBA at 5°C. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 2267–2272, 2001     

Mechanical and thermal properties of poplar wood polyacrylonitrile composites

Wood polyacrylonitrile composite (WPC) from poplar wood was synthesized. The synthetic process was carried out through benzoyl peroxide (0.05 mol l^?1) catalyzed impregnation polymerization of acrylonitrile (6.075 mol l^?1) into poplar wood in benzene medium at 70 ± 1 °C. Modification of the properties of WPC over untreated wood was evaluated in terms of compression, impact strength and simultaneous differential thermogravimetry‐thermogravimetric‐differential thermal analysis (DTG‐TG‐DTA) in air. Compression, impact strength and resistance of wood against thermo‐oxidation were improved with impregnation of polyacrylonitrile. Impregnation of polyacrylonitrile into poplar wood was ascertained through UV‐vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

An experimental study of biomass ignition

An experimental study has been conducted to determine the ignition temperature of biomass at 21% O₂, both under pulse ignition conditions and under thermogravimetric conditions. In the pulse ignition experiments, samples of about 2 g wheat straw were placed in an isothermal reactor. The ignition temperature was determined from the transient CO and CO₂ profiles to approximately 255 °C at a superficial gas velocity of 14 cm/s (STP). The ignition temperature increased for decreasing superficial gas velocity.Thermogravimetric experiments at 20% O₂ and heating rates of 5 °C/min with finely milled biomass indicated ignition temperatures of approximately 220 °C for wheat straw, 235 °C for poplar wood, and 285 °C for eucalyptus wood. These values are significantly lower than values obtained for coal under similar conditions and confirm the relationship between volatile matter content and ignition temperature previously reported for coal.A mechanistic model for ignition of biomass is proposed. We believe that the ignition process is initiated by oxidation reactions on the straw surface. These reactions raise the surface temperature above that of the surrounding gas and promote ignition of the volatiles. Once ignited, the volatiles may form a homogeneous diffusion flame away from the particle surface. The superficial gas velocity affects the particle heating rate as well as the transport of oxygen to the surface. For this reason the ignition process is not entirely controlled by kinetics at low temperatures.     

Synthesis of water‐reducible acrylic–alkyd resins based on modified palm oil

Water‐reducible acrylic–alkyd resins were synthesized from the reaction between monoglycerides prepared from modified palm oil and carboxy‐functional acrylic copolymer followed by neutralization of carboxyl groups with diethanolamine. Modified palm oil was produced by interesterification of palm oil with tung oil at a weight ratio of 1 : 1, using sodium hydroxide as a catalyst, whereas carboxy‐functional acrylic copolymer was prepared by radical copolymerization of n‐butyl methacrylate and maleic anhydride. The amount of acrylic copolymer used was from 15 to 40% by weight, and it was found that homogeneous resins was obtained when the copolymer content was 20–35 wt %. All of the prepared water‐reducible acrylic–alkyd resins were yellowish viscous liquids. Their films were dried by baking at 190°C and their properties were determined. These films showed excellent water and acid resistance and good alkali resistance. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1170–1175, 2005