Browsing by Keyword "General Chemistry"
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Item Bacterial-cellulose-derived carbonaceous electrode materials for water desalination via capacitive method: The crucial role of defect sites: The crucial role of defect sites(2020-10-15) Belaustegui, Yolanda; Pantò, Fabiola; Urbina, Leire; Corcuera, Maria Angeles; Eceiza, Arantxa; Palella, Alessandra; Triolo, Claudia; Santangelo, Saveria; VALORIZACIÓN DE RESIDUOSElectrosorptive desalination is a very simple and appealing approach to satisfy the increasing demand for drinking water. The large-scale application of this technology calls for the development of easy-to-produce, cheap and highly performing electrode materials and for the identification and tailoring of their most influential properties, as well. Here, biosynthesised bacterial cellulose is used as a carbon precursor for the production of three-dimensional nanostructures endowed with hierarchically porous architecture and different density and type of intrinsic and hetero-atom induced lattice defects. The produced materials exhibit unprecedented desalination capacities for carbon-based electrodes. At an initial concentration of 585 mg L−1 (10 mmol L−1), they are able to remove from 55 to 79 mg g−1 of salt; as the initial concentration rises to 11.7 g L−1 (200 mmol L−1), their salt adsorption capacity reaches values ranging between 1.03 and 1.35 g g−1. The results of the thorough material characterisation by complementary techniques evidence that the relative amount of oxygenated surface functional species enhancing the electrode wettability play a crucial role at lower NaCl concentrations, whereas the availability of active non-sp2 defect sites for adsorption is mainly influential at higher salt concentrations.Item Bioleaching of metals from secondary materials using glycolipid biosurfactants(2021-03-15) Castelein, Martijn; Verbruggen, Florian; Van Renterghem, Lisa; Spooren, Jeroen; Yurramendi, Lourdes; Du Laing, Gijs; Boon, Nico; Soetaert, Wim; Hennebel, Tom; Roelants, Sophie; Williamson, Adam J.; VALORIZACIÓN DE RESIDUOSWith the global demand for economically important metals increasing, compounded by the depletion of readily accessible ores, secondary resources and low-grade ores are being targeted to meet growing demands. Novel technologies developed within biobased industries, such as microbial biosurfactants, could be implemented to improve the sustainability of traditional hydrometallurgy techniques. This study investigates newly developed microbial biosurfactants (acidic- and bolaform glycolipids) for the leaching of metals (particularly Cu and Zn) from a suite of mine tailings, metallurgical sludges and automotive shredder residues. Generally, acidic sophorolipids were the most performant, and optimal Cu leaching was observed from a fayalite slag (27%) and a copper sulfide mine tailing (53%). Further investigation of the leached fayalite material showed that leaching was occurring from small metallic Cu droplets in this material via a corrosion-based mechanism, and/or from Cu-Pb sulfides, selective against dominant Fe-silicate matrices. This study highlights that acidic sophorolipid microbial biosurfactants have the potential to leach Cu and Zn from low-grade secondary materials. It also provides important fundamental insights into biosurfactant-metal and mineral interactions that are currently unexplored. Together, the convergence of leaching and mining industries with bio-industries can improve material recovery and will positively impact the bio- and circular economies and the environment.Item Bone cell adhesion on ion implanted titanium alloys(2005-06-22) Braceras, I.; Onate, J.I.; Goikoetxea, L.; Viviente, J.L.; Alava, J.I.; de Maeztu, M.A.; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; Biomateriales; TECNOLOGÍA DE MEMBRANAS E INTENSIFICACIÓN DE PROCESOSThe authors have previously reported than ion implantation can have a significant effect on osseointegration of an implant, specially when the latter is introduced in areas of poorer bone density. These results indicate that this process is particularly suited for implant devices introduced in elderly patients or in those regions that have a poor quality of bone. The aim of this work is directed to study osteoblast adhesion on Ti alloy surfaces with different ion implantation treatments, so osseoconductive properties of several surfaces can be assessed. Polished discs of Ti–6Al–4V and Ti CP GR1 titanium alloy have been prepared and ion implanted with different species and parameters (dose and energy). Afterwards, the samples have been sterilized by UV light, inoculated with 1.5×105 human bone cells and incubated during 4 h at 37 C and 5% CO2 atmosphere. Then, once fixed and rinsed, image analysis has been used to quantify the number of cells attached to the Ti discs. On a second round of tests, cell proliferation tests have been conducted during 24, 48, 144 and 192 h, respectively. Furthermore, surface analysis techniques (e.g. AFM) have been applied to learn about the qualitative behavior, i.e. morphology, of the attached cells. Cell attachment has shown to be highly sensitive to ion implantation parameters. Although some quantitative differences have been observed, the more significant differences were qualitative. AFM analysis has shown that the star-shaped bone cells attached spread more and occupied larger surfaces like in osseointegration prone surfaces, most probably due to extracellular matrix synthesized around them, while other surfaces showed mainly large and narrow shaped or round shaped bone cells often with great cellular nucleus in the middle of the cells and little extracellular matrix around. So, ion implanted surfaces that facilitate osseointegration have been identified, in terms of initial bone cell attachment quality, where although the number of attached cells were not necessarily always larger, they tended to occupy wider areas with healthier cells.Item Catalytic membrane reactor for the production of biofuels(2016-06-15) Liuzzi, Dalia; Pérez-Alonso, Francisco José; Fierro, José Luis G.; Rojas, Sergio; Van Wijk, Frank L.; Roghair, Ivo; Van Sint Annaland, Martin; Fernandez, Ekain; Viviente, Jose Luis; Tanaka, D. A.Pacheco; TECNOLOGÍAS DE HIDRÓGENO; TECNOLOGÍA DE MEMBRANAS E INTENSIFICACIÓN DE PROCESOSThe H2-distributed feeding concept using Pd/Ag-based membranes and an Ru-based catalyst in a Packed Bed Membrane Reactor (H2-PBMR) for the synthesis of biofuels via the so-called Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis has been demonstrated. The most successful approach resulted when H2-poor syngas (H2/CO = 1) typically obtained from the gasification of biomass was fed directly through the reaction chamber, i.e., to the catalyst bed, whereas the H2 needed to reach the proper stoichiometry for the FTS (H2/CO = 2) was admitted, and properly distributed, into the catalyst bed through the Pd/Ag-based membrane by flowing H2/He mixtures at the retentate side of the membrane. Under the optimum reaction conditions, the CO conversion measured with the H2-distributed feeding concept is lower than that obtained in a conventional Packed Bed Reactor with H2/CO = 2 (37.9 vs 50.7%), but significantly higher than that obtained in a conventional reactor with H2/CO = 1 (14.1%). Remarkably, the productivity towards high-molecular hydrocarbons increases by almost 70% and the methane production decreases by one order of magnitude when using the H2-distributed feeding concept in a Packed Bed Membrane Reactor.Item Chromium-free conversion coatings based on inorganic salts(Zr/Ti/Mn/Mo) for aluminum alloys used in aircraft applications(2015-08-01) Santa Coloma, Patricia; Izagirre, Usoa; Belaustegui, Yolanda; Jorcin, J.B.; Cano, F.J.; Lapeña, N.; Belaustegi, Y.; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; INGENIERÍA DE SUPERFICIES; VALORIZACIÓN DE RESIDUOS; MATERIALES PARA CONDICIONES EXTREMAS; SGNovel chromium-free conversion coatings based on Zr/Ti/Mn/Mo compounds were developed at a pilot scale to improve the corrosion resistance of the AA2024-T3 and AA7075-T6 aluminum alloys for aircraft applications. The influence of the presence of Zr and Ti in the Zr/Ti/Mn/Mo conversion bath's formulation on the corrosion resistance of the coated alloys was investigated. The corrosion resistance provided by the conversion coatings was evaluated by salt spray exposure and potentiodynamic sweeps. Optical and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) operating in the Kelvin Probe mode (SKPFM) were used to provide microstructural information of the coated samples that achieved the best results in the corrosion tests. The salt spray test evidenced the higher corrosion resistance of the coated samples compared to the bare surfaces for both alloys. The potentiodynamic tests showed that the corrosion current density decreased for coated AA7075-T6 and AA2024-T3 alloys, which indicated an obvious improvement of the corrosion resistance with all the processes for both alloys. Although the corrosion resistance of the coated samples appeared to be higher for the alloy AA7075-T6 than for the alloy AA2024-T3, both alloys achieved the best corrosion protection with the coatings deposited from conversion bath formulations containing no titanium salts. The microscopy analysis on the coated AA7075-T6 samples revealed that a local deposition of Zr compounds and, possibly, an oxidation process occurred in the vicinity of the alloy's intermetallic particles. The amount of the Zr deposits at these locations increased with coating's formulations without Ti, which provided the best corrosion resistance. The Cr-free conversion coatings developed in this study for the AA7075-T6 and AA2024-T3 alloys do not meet yet the strict requirements of the aircraft industry. However, they significantly improved the corrosion performance with respect to the bare alloys and could be a good starting point for further studies and optimization.Item Corrosion preserving high density plasma treatment of precipitation hardening stainless steel(2018-12-15) Braceras, Iñigo; Ibáñez, Iñigo; Domínguez-Meister, Santiago; Urgebain, Aiala; Sánchez-García, Jose Angel; Larrañaga, Aitor; Garmendia, Iñaki; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; INGENIERÍA DE SUPERFICIES; MATERIALES PARA CONDICIONES EXTREMASSpecialty alloys such as precipitation hardening stainless steels are routinely used in critical applications requiring high strength and corrosion resistance, e.g. in aeronautics, in ground transportation and the biomedical field. Nonetheless, their tribological properties remain poor, while the application of surface treatments results in loss of corrosion resistance. Therefore, typically a not fully satisfactory compromise must be adopted. In the present work, the improvement of tribological features, without loss of corrosion resistance, of the 1.4545 (15-5PH) steel has been explored with the use of high density plasmas. The work has focused on long cylindrical geometries, close to those of real applications. The microstructure and composition of the treated surfaces were studied and the corresponding corrosion resistance stablished. The characteristics of the high density plasmas as well as the sample disposition were key factors in the outcomes, which ranged from fully corroded to corrosion resistant surfaces. Results also showed in certain cases the high density plasmas causing surface cracks followed by local corrosion. Additionally tribological studies demonstrated improvement in wear resistance, and electrical contact resistance (ECR) was found to be a good indicator of the wear phenomena occurring along the tests. An equivalent electric circuit is proposed. Actually ECR could be a useful and simple way of monitoring the surface status and assist in assuring safe and dependable operational lives of the components. In conclusion, treatment conditions of cylindrical 1.4545 (15-5PH) have been defined, which provide with an improved tribological performance, preserving corrosion resistance, with ECR a useful performance monitoring parameter.Item Development of a Novel Biobased Polyurethane Resin System for Structural Composites(2022-10-27) Echeverria-Altuna, Oihane; Ollo, Olatz; Larraza, Izaskun; Elizetxea, Cristina; Harismendy, Isabel; Eceiza, Arantxa; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; POLIMEROSPolyurethanes are gaining increasing interest for their use as structural components subjected to cyclic loads, such as leaf springs. Thermoset polyurethane (PUR) based technology offers some advantages, such as fatigue resistance, low viscosity, and fast curing. However, current PUR formulations present two major drawbacks: their petrochemical origin and high reactivity. The aim of this work was to develop a novel biobased PUR (BIO-PUR) with the required mechanical properties and processability for manufacturing structural composites by resin transfer moulding (RTM). For this purpose, a high functionality and high hydroxyl index castor-oil-based polyol was used combined with a biobased glycerol (BIO-Gly) to increase the crosslinking density and improve the final properties of the BIO-PUR. The viscosity and reactivity of the different systems were studied by means of rheology tests and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermal and mechanical properties were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and flexural tests. Furthermore, the RTM process of a representative part was simulated and validated through the manufacturing and testing of plates. The properties of the BIO-PUR resin systems were strongly influenced by the addition of biobased glycerol and its effect on the crosslinking density. The combination of a high functionality and hydroxyl index biobased polyol with the biobased glycerol resulted in a high-performance BIO-PUR with the required reactivity and final properties for structural applications.Item Development of highly permeable ultra-thin Pd-based supported membranes(2016-12-01) Fernandez, Ekain; Sanchez-Garcia, Jose Angel; Melendez, Jon; Spallina, Vincenzo; van Sint Annaland, Martin; Gallucci, Fausto; Pacheco Tanaka, D. A.; Prema, Radha; TECNOLOGÍAS DE HIDRÓGENO; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; TECNOLOGÍA DE MEMBRANAS E INTENSIFICACIÓN DE PROCESOSThis paper reports the preparation and characterization of ultra-thin (∼1 μm thick) Pd-based supported membranes for hydrogen purification. Ultra-thin membranes have been prepared by a combination of PVD magnetron sputtering and electroless plating techniques. The membranes have been characterized for single gas and mix gas permeation at temperatures between 350 and 500 °C and they have shown to exhibit very high hydrogen fluxes combined with a good perm-selectivity (H2/N2 ≈ 500). These results have been compared with the performance of highly permeable membranes reported in the literature. The influence of the morphology of the deposited Pd-based layers on the membrane performance has been investigated and discussed.Item Effect of aryl phosphates on toxicity of combustion gases of flame‐retardant polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blends according to EN 45545 railway standard(2022-03-09) Sánchez, Alberto; Villanueva, Sara; ECOEFICIENCIA DE PRODUCTOS DE CONSTRUCCIÓNIn this study, the toxicity of combustion gases of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) blends that include aryl phosphates as flame-retardants (FRs) was analyzed according to the European railway standard EN 45545-2 (NBS chamber + FTIR). FRs have a significant influence on the evolution of the toxicity of gases generated during the combustion process. In the experiment, the asphyxiant hydrogen cyanide (HCN) was detected at the beginning of combustion (4 min of testing) as a product of ABS degradation. CO was generated throughout the test (8 min) because of the incomplete combustion of both the ABS and PC fractions. The presence of aryl phosphates promoted the inhibition of the flame. The reaction of PO radicals in the gas phase resulted in OH scavenging and a higher release of HCN and CO. The results suggest that aryl phosphates act in the first 4 min and do not have an effect later. FRs with lower thermal stability exhibited lower heat release and flame propagation but generated more toxic gases. This effect is attributed to the higher activity of the flame-retardant in the gas phase. Further, additional fire performance parameters, including thermal stability (thermogravimetric analysis), flammability (UL94), and heat and smoke generation (cone calorimeter), were studied. It was found that aryl phosphates reduced the fire hazard, prevented the spread of the flame, reduced heat generation, increased the time to ignition, and, at the same time, promoted the emission of toxic gases that differ in function of the selected flame-retardantItem Effect of Different Nanoparticles on Mechanical Properties and Curing Behavior of Thermoset Polyurethane Adhesives(2014-10-03) Rodriguez, R.; Perez, B.; Florez, S.; POLIMEROSThree different kinds of nanoparticles (nano-Al2O3, nano-SiO2, and nano-CaCO3) were incorporated into a thermoset polyurethane adhesive. The influence of the type of nanoparticle and concentration on nanoadhesives mechanical, rheological properties, and dispersion degree was analyzed. It was found that as nanoparticle concentration increases tensile strength and Young’s modulus increases. However, there was a maximum concentration from which mechanical properties were reduced. Nanoadhesive mechanical properties were controlled by nanoparticles specific surface area, hardness, and surface treatment. In addition, it was found that the addition of nanoparticles accelerates nanoadhesives curing rate.Item Effect of Different Types of Electrospun Polyamide 6 Nanofibres on the Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fibre/Epoxy Composites(2018-10-25) Monteserín, Cristina; Blanco, Miren; Murillo, Nieves; Pérez-Márquez, Ana; Maudes, Jon; Gayoso, Jorge; Laza, Jose; Aranzabe, Estíbaliz; Vilas, Jose; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; PRINTEX; Caracterización y Validación. MecánicosDelamination and brittle matrix fracture have long since been the biggest problems in fibre-reinforced composites. Recently, the incorporation of electrospun nanofibre veils has been shown to be an effective method for improving the mechanical properties of these composites, without causing process problems and negatively affecting other mechanical properties. Thus, these nanofibres have the potential to be used as thickness-reinforcing materials in composites. This paper investigates the effect of incorporating standalone electrospun nanofibre veils made of two different types of polyamide 6 (PA6) on the mechanical properties of carbon fibre/epoxy composites. The influence of positioning the electrospun veils at different interlaminar positions of the laminate has also been investigated.Item Effect of organic precursor in hybrid sol–gel coatings for corrosion protection and the application on hot dip galvanised steel(2019-01-15) Agustín-Sáenz, Cecilia; Martín-Ugarte, Eider; Jorcin, Jean Baptiste; Imbuluzqueta, Gorka; Santa Coloma, Patricia; Izagirre-Etxeberria, Usoa; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; VALORIZACIÓN DE RESIDUOS; MATERIALES PARA CONDICIONES EXTREMAS; SISTEMAS FOTOVOLTAICOS; INGENIERÍA DE SUPERFICIESSol-gel coating material with enhanced corrosion protection for zinc-coated steel has been obtained through the incorporation of mono-phenol and bi-phenol organic precursors in an epoxide functionalised-silica-zirconia matrix. The effect of the presence of the organic precursors in the baseline formulation has been studied; sol stability has been examined by viscosity evolution; gel densification stage has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); material composition has been analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray spectroscopy (XPS); coating thickness and roughness has been measured by profilometry. Corrosion performance in three artificial weathering tests showed outstanding performance in the delay of zinc and steel corrosion products emergence, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement permitted the identification of the coating presenting the most promising properties in terms of corrosion protection. Developed coatings have shown outstanding contribution to service life extension of zinc-coated parts.Item Effects of ion implantation on nano-topographic properties(2007-08-05) Braceras, I.; Briz, N.; García, F.; Muñoz, R.; Viviente, J.L.; Onate, J.I.; INGENIERÍA DE SUPERFICIES; SG; TECNOLOGÍA DE MEMBRANAS E INTENSIFICACIÓN DE PROCESOS; Tecnalia Research & InnovationIt is well known that surface properties at nano-scale are determinant in a number of applications, such as sensors, biomedical and optical devices. Nevertheless, relations between surface treatment parameters and their effects on topography at the nano-scale, surface energy or light reflectivity are often poorly understood. In this study, a non fluorescent glass material (Knittel) was selected and subjected to ion implantation treatments with different parameters and species, including Ar, Ne, C, N, CO and NH2. The resulting surface topography at the nano-scale was studied by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and the surface energy was evaluated with the contact angle method. Additionally, the modifications induced on optical properties, i.e. reflection, were evaluated with two different wavelength lasers. The results showed remarkable differences in surface nano-topographies and contact angles (from 15° to 70°) that were obtained. Furthermore, the effects of ion implantation parameters had also very significant consequences on background noise effects, of great importance for optical properties. It was found that the best implantation treatment corresponded to N2 + ions implanted to a dose of 3×1017 ions/cm2 at an energy of 30 keV. This treatment resulted in a adequate contact angle, producing a nano-textured surface with potential features for a good attachment and orientation of deposited bio-molecules, and a very low background fluorescence, hence allowing a high degree of scanning sensitivity, for application on DNA microarrays. The study has shown that ion implantation represents a powerful tool for modifying key properties on surfaces that play an important role in the response elicited on living tissue and bio-molecules, which is notoriously relevant for the application as bio-sensors.Item Electro-spun graphene-enriched carbon fibres with high nitrogen-contents for electrochemical water desalination(2018-02-15) Belaustegui, Yolanda; Zorita, Saioa; Fernández-Carretero, Francisco; García-Luis, Alberto; Pantò, Fabiola; Stelitano, Sara; Frontera, Patrizia; Antonucci, Pierluigi; Santangelo, Saveria; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; VALORIZACIÓN DE RESIDUOS; ADAPTACIÓN AL CAMBIO CLIMÁTICO; TECNOLOGÍAS DE HIDRÓGENOElectro-spun carbon fibres doped with very high nitrogen concentrations (19–21 wt%) are obtained operating carbonisation at low temperature (500 °C). The as-synthesised fibres are evaluated as electrode materials for the electrochemical desalination of water. The effect of the enrichment of the nitrogen doped carbon fibres with thermally reduced graphene oxide is also investigated. The fibrous electrodes are able to remove amazing amounts of NaCl (17.0–27.6 mg/g) from a salty solution with an initial concentration of 585 mg/L. The nitrogen doping, which dramatically improves the wettability, plays a crucial role in determining the outstanding electro-sorption capacities of the fibres. It allows fully profiting of the more favourable pore size distribution in the graphene-enriched fibres, endowed with higher conductivity and capacitance, for the obtainment of unprecedented electro-sorption capacities via an extremely simple synthesis process, with no need of activation treatments.Item Enhanced CO2 Methanation by New Microstructured Reactor Concept and Design(2019-06-15) Pérez, Susana; Aragón, Jorge J.; Peciña, Iñigo; Garcia-Suarez, Eduardo J.; VALORIZACIÓN DE RESIDUOS; TECNOLOGÍA DE MEMBRANAS E INTENSIFICACIÓN DE PROCESOS; Tecnalia Research & InnovationA novel multichannel minireactor with channel internal diameter in the range of millimeters has been conceptually designed and constructed. Its configuration confers to the new concept reactor some features and advantages compared to conventional fixed-bed reactors g.e. better mass-transfer, avoid hot-spots formation, increased performance (10–20%). Consequently, this new reactor concept is ideal to be applied to exothermic reactions such as the Sabatier reaction that demands continuous removal of the heat produced to avoid hot-spot formation and the sintering of the catalyst. Thanks to its configuration, this reactor could control effectively the heat generated by the reaction and several tests were carried out to validate the reactor features. The results obtained demonstrate that the catalysts activity in the reaction is improved with the application of the novel reactor respect the conventional fixed- and fluidized-bed ones and neither catalyst sintering, nor pressure drop was appreciated during the catalytic tests. At the best reaction conditions, Tecnalia’s multichannel minireactor can handle 820 Nm3/h of CO2 per square meter of channel section showing the enormous potential of the new reactor concept.Item Enzymatic Functionalization of Wood as an Antifouling Strategy against the Marine Bacterium Cobetia marina(2021-11-02) Filgueira, Daniel; Bolaño, Cristian; Gouveia, Susana; Moldes, Diego; BIOECONOMÍA Y CO2The protection of wood in marine environments is a major challenge due to the high sensitivity of wood to both water and marine microorganisms. Besides, the environmental regulations are pushing the industry to develop novel effective and environmentally friendly treatments to protect wood in marine environments. The present study focused on the development of a new green methodology based on the laccase-assisted grafting of lauryl gallate (LG) onto wood to improve its marine antifouling properties. Initially, the enzymatic treatment conditions (laccase dose, time of reaction, LG concentration) and the effect of the wood specie (beech, pine, and eucalyptus) were assessed by water contact angle (WCA) measurements. The surface properties of the enzymatically modified wood veneers were assessed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Antifouling properties of the functionalized wood veneers against marine bacterium Cobetia marina were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and protein measurements. XPS and FTIR analysis suggested the stable grafting of LG onto the surface of wood veneers after laccase-assisted treatment. WCA measurements showed that the hydrophobicity of the wood veneers significantly increased after the enzymatic treatment. Protein measurements and SEM pictures showed that enzymatically-hydrophobized wood veneers modified the pattern of bacterial attachment and remarkably reduced the bacterium colonization. Thus, the results observed in the present study confirmed the potential efficiency of laccase-assisted treatments to improve the marine antifouling properties of wood.Item Fire retardancy of polypropylene composites reinforced with rice husks: From oxygen index measurements and cone calorimetry to large-scale single-burning-item tests: From oxygen index measurements and cone calorimetry to large-scale single-burning-item tests(2018-10-05) Schirp, Arne; Barrio, Aitor; BIOECONOMÍA Y CO2Rice husks containing 12 wt % inorganic silica were incorporated together with halogen‐free fire retardants in a polypropylene matrix and extruded into facade profiles. An increase in the amount of rice husks resulted in an increase in the oxygen index. The cone calorimetry measurements showed that all of the fire retardants tested significantly reduced the peak heat‐release rate (pHRR) and maximum average rate of heat emission (MARHE) of the formulations and moderately reduced total heat release. The best results in terms of MARHE were achieved for the formulation including 24% melamine‐coated ammonium polyphosphate. pHRR and MARHE were reduced with increasing amount of rice husks. Single‐burning‐item (SBI) tests were performed for the extruded profiles based on rice husks and, for comparison, wood flour. In the best case, a B‐s2, d0 classification was obtained. The results obtained from cone calorimetry and SBI tests were in agreement. Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46654.Item The future of isosorbide as a fundamental constituent for polycarbonates and polyurethanes(2021) Gómez-de-Miranda-Jiménez-de-Aberasturi, Olga; Centeno-Pedrazo, Ander; Prieto Fernández, Soraya; Rodriguez Alonso, Raquel; Medel, Sandra; María Cuevas, Jose; Monsegue, Luciano G.; De Wildeman, Stefaan; Benedetti, Elena; Klein, Daniela; Henneken, Hartmut; Ochoa-Gómez, José R.; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; BIOECONOMÍA Y CO2; GENERAL; POLIMEROSIsosorbide is a biobased compound which could become in the near future an advantageous competitor of petroleum-derived components in the synthesis of polymers of different nature. When the reactivity of isosorbide is not enough, it can be successfully transformed into secondary building blocks, such as isosorbide bis(methyl carbonate), which provides extra functionalities for polymerization reactions with diols or diamines. The present review summarizes the possibilities for isosorbide as a green raw material to be used in the synthesis of polycarbonates and polyurethanes to obtain products of similar or enhanced properties to the commercial equivalents.Item Growth of nano-textured graphene coatings across highly porous stainless steel supports towards corrosion resistant coatings(2015-02-01) Dumée, Ludovic F.; He, Li; Wang, Ziyu; Sheath, Phillip; Xiong, Jianyu; Feng, Chunfang; Tan, Mike Yongjun; She, Fenghua; Duke, Mikel; Gray, Stephen; Pacheco, Alfredo; Hodgson, Peter; Majumder, Mainak; Kong, Lingxue; TECNOLOGÍA DE MEMBRANAS E INTENSIFICACIÓN DE PROCESOSIn this paper, we demonstrated for the first time the growth of 3D networks of graphene nano-flakes across porous stainless steel substrates of micron sized metal fibres, and its anti-corrosion properties. The controlled formation of graphene-grade coatings in the form of single sheets to complex and homogeneously distributed 2-4 μm long nano-pillars is demonstrated by Scanning Electron Microscopy. The morphology and stability of these structures are shown to be particularly related to the temperature and feed gas flow rate during the growth. The number of layers across the graphene materials was calculated from the Raman spectra and is shown to range between 3 and more than 15 depending on the growth conditions and to be particularly related to the time and flow rate of the experiment. The presence of the graphene was shown to massively enhance the specific surface area of the material and to contribute to the increased corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity of the material without compromising the properties or structure of the native stainless steel materials. This new approach opens up a new route to the facile fabrication of advanced surface coatings with potential applications in developing new thermal exchangers, separation and bio-compatible materials.Item High selectivity ZIF-93 hollow fiber membranes for gas separation(2015-07-18) Cacho-Bailo, Fernando; Caro, Guillermo; Etxeberría-Benavides, Miren; Karvan, Oʇuz; Téllez, Carlos; Coronas, Joaquín; TECNOLOGÍA DE MEMBRANAS E INTENSIFICACIÓN DE PROCESOS; Tecnalia Research & InnovationZeolitic imidazolate framework-93 (ZIF-93) continuous membranes were synthesized on the inner side of P84 co-polyimide hollow fiber supports by microfluidics. MOFs and polymers showed high compatibility and the membrane exhibited H2-CH4 and CO2-CH4 separation selectivities of 97 (100 °C) and 17 (35 °C), respectively.