Search Results (277)

A mycelium is a network of hyphae that possesses the ability to self-assemble and grow into various shapes, acting as a natural binder that minimises the need for intensive chemical and energy processes, making it an alternative capable of forming structures that may eventually outperform traditional fibres such as animal leather and polyester. In this work, two mycelium mats were created, and their thickness, water absorption, coverage, and tear strength for the sewing process were determined. Fibre mats were grown in vitro or on a jute substrate. The mats were treated with salt, tannin or citric acid solutions, then air- or oven-dried. In general, the treatment that least modified the colour and appearance of the mycelium mats was citric acid, and when dried by airflow, the thickness averaged 1.4 mm. The highest tear strengths were 10.55 N/mm and 12.7 N/mm for the mycelium mats treated with citric acid without and with jute, respectively. A high percentage of water absorption was observed, reaching 267% (mycelium mats treated with tannins and dried at 65 °C) and 28% (mycelium mats treated with citric acid and air-dried). In general, all mycelium mats can be sewn, except for those treated with citric acid, which have a viscous texture and require slow sewing to prevent the mycelium from breaking. The Trametes fungus can be utilised in the production of mycelial materials, allowing for the optimisation of growth conditions to obtain mycelial mats that meet the requirements for use as an environmentally friendly alternative in the textile and related industries. Full article

Agricultural biowaste poses a major environmental challenge when improperly disposed of. An alternative to this is their utilization for producing natural fibers (NFs) to manufacture biocomposites, promoting a circular economy. However, the fact that a product is classified as renewable does not necessarily imply that its environmental performance is superior when compared to its conventional market counterpart. For this reason, this study conducted a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of biocomposites reinforced with coconut fiber and a polyester resin matrix, using a “cradle-to-gate” approach. Six scenarios were evaluated, grouped into S1 (2–5% fiber) and S2 (20–30% fiber), with and without chemical treatment, plus a reference scenario without fiber utilization. The IPCC 2021 GWP 100 and ReCiPe Midpoint (H) 2016 methods were applied. The results show that the scenarios without chemical treatment (RF-CCT) were environmentally more optimal, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 7.4% (RF-CCT/H) and 1.70 kg CO₂-eq (RF-CCT/L) compared to conventional practices. The main reasons for these reductions are the avoidance of emissions associated with disposal, decreased reliance on conventional materials, and the omission of chemical treatment, which in turn mitigates critical impacts such as ozone depletion potential (ODP) linked to N₂O emissions from fertilizers (93% contribution) and terrestrial/marine toxicity. Full article

Agricultural and food by-products offer valuable opportunities for circular and bio-based innovation across sectors. In the textile industry, replacing fossil-based coatings with sustainable alternatives is increasingly urgent. This study evaluates the performance of a textile coating based on coffee silverskin (CS)—an abundant by-product of coffee roasting—applied to four natural fibre substrates: cotton, lyocell, wool, and silk. A formulation combining 60% CS sludge (8% solids), treated by wet ball milling, with an aliphatic polyester-polyurethane dispersion was applied via knife coating. Standardised tests assessed mechanical resistance, air permeability, colour fastness, moisture management, and water repellency, including contact angle and drop absorption analyses. Results revealed that all substrates were compatible with the CS-based coating, which reduced air permeability and increased hydrophobicity. Notably, silk showed the most significant functional enhancement, transitioning from hydrophilic to waterproof with increased durability—indicating strong potential for technical applications such as outerwear and performance textiles. Given the renewable origin of both the substrate and coating, this study highlights the feasibility of valorising agri-food waste in high-performance, bio-based textile systems. These findings demonstrate the potential of CS as a bio-based coating for technical textiles, supporting the development of high-performance and sustainable materials within the textile industry. Full article

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is an aliphatic polyester considered a “green” material due to its natural-based origin and biodegradable properties. This is why PLA fibres may be compared with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibres in an effort to partially replace the latter in industrial production. The purpose of this study is to investigate the dyeability of poly(lactic acid) fibres using six (6) commercially available disperse dyes with different energy levels, molecular weights and chemical structures, namely Disperse Red 59 (Serisol Fast Pink RFL), Disperse Red 60 (Serilene Red 2BL), Disperse Red 92 (Serilene Red TBLS), Disperse Orange 31 (Serisol Br Orange RGL), Disperse Yellow 54 (Serilene Yellow 3GL) and Disperse Blue 79 (Serilene Navy Blue GRLS). The dyeing characteristics, such as dye exhaustion, colour strength (K/S value), colorimetric values, wash fastness, light fastness and sublimation fastness of dyed fibres, were examined at dyeing temperatures of 110 and 130 °C, while the presence of carrier agent was also investigated. The dye exhaustion values of PLA fibres were found to be lower than those of PET fabrics; however, K/S values were higher than those of the corresponding PET fabrics in some cases. Dyed PLA fibres illustrated good colour fastness, light fastness and sublimation fastness properties, comparable to similarly dyed PET fibres. Full article

This study evaluated dried eucalyptus leaf extract and annatto seed extract as natural dyes for cotton, polyamide, and polyester knit fabrics. The eucalyptus leaf extract was obtained by aqueous boiling extraction, while the annatto seed extract was prepared in an alcoholic medium at 60 °C. Dyeing was carried out on fabrics mordanted with lemon juice and soy milk, using a cup dyeing machine with infrared (IR) heating at 98 °C for 30 min. SEM and FTIR analyses assessed the results regarding color intensity and color fastness. The findings indicate that both extracts can serve as sustainable alternatives for textile dyeing. Full article

Cutin is a natural plant polyester, a constituent of the cuticle that covers aerial plant surfaces. Following the trends of agricultural and food waste reduction and the growing demand for plant-derived nanomaterials, cutin was extracted from tomato peels, a by-product of tomato processing. Subsequently, dispersions of cutin particles in the nano- and colloidal size range were prepared by pH-dependent precipitation. Four types of the dispersions were obtained, i.e., dispersion from cutin extract—NP E dispersion, dispersions from a solution of different cutin isolates, dialyzed cutin isolate–NP D dispersion, washed cutin isolate–NP W dispersion, and standard cutin isolate–NP S dispersion. Cutin precipitation occurred at pH lower than 7 and cutin dispersions with final pH 3–7 were formed. Zeta potential, particle size, and recovery of four cutin dispersions were investigated. All types of cutin particles bear a negative charge which increases on pH increase from 3 to 7, resulting in decrease in cutin nanoparticle size upon pH increase. In addition to that, the influence of cutin solution concentration and storage time on cutin dispersion particle size was found to be mitigated at pH ≥ 6. Among four dispersions, NP S had the highest cutin nanoparticle recovery at all pHs investigated. Full article

Two series of environmentally friendly polymer blends of bio-based poly(ethylene 2,5 furanoate) (PEF) and poly(butylene 2,5 furanoate) (PBF) with epoxidized natural rubber (epNR) have been prepared. Both bio-based polyesters were synthesized from dimethyl furan-2,5-dicarboxylate (DMFDC) and 1,2-ethylene glycol (EG) or 1,4-butylene glycol (BG) by a two-stage melt polycondensation process. The miscibility of the components in the blend was assessed using calculations based on Hoy’s method. The chemical interactions, presence of functional groups, miscibility, and possible reactions or cross-linking between polyesters and epNR were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). A significant influence of epNR addition on the melt flow index (MFI), limited viscosity number (LVN), and apparent cross-link density values was also demonstrated. Phase transition temperatures and associated thermal phenomena in polyester/epNR blends were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Oxidation onset temperature (OOT) tests were performed to obtain valuable information about the thermal-oxidative stability of the blends. Tensile tests revealed that the addition of epNR to PEF increases flexibility but at the same time reduces stiffness and tensile strength, especially at higher contents of epNR. In the case of PBF, a gradual decrease in tensile strength and elastic modulus is observed with increasing epNR content. Additionally, hardness tests showed that the addition of epNR leads to a decrease in hardness for both PEF- and PBF-based compositions. Full article

The aim of this study is to identify the textile materials used to make Bulgarian folk costumes and to support the process of conservation and restoration of ethnographic objects. In the 18th and 19th centuries, folk costumes were made almost exclusively of natural materials, while in the first half and middle of the 20th century, they included contemporary synthetic and regenerated cellulose materials, as well as blends of these materials with natural fibers. A series of historical textiles and contemporary industrial fabrics were studied using a variety of analytical approaches, including micro-chemical staining and solubility tests, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. IR measurements were carried out in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and external reflectance (ER) modes using a portable IR spectrometer, which enabled non-invasive analysis. The analysis revealed that the composition of the industrial fabrics and historical textiles encompassed synthetic fibers, such as polyester and polyamide, while others were made of regenerated cellulose fibers like viscose. Additionally, some textiles had a mixed composition of cotton and polyester or silk and viscose. The combined analytical approach provided reliable identification of both the synthetic and natural textile materials. Full article

Plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems is an increasing environmental concern, prompting the search for biodegradable polymer (BP) alternatives. However, their degradation in natural aquatic environments remains poorly investigated and understood. This four-month in situ study compared the degradation in a lentic freshwater ecosystem of two compostable items, Mater-Bi^® shopping bag and disposable dish, with their respective pure polymer matrices, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and polylactic acid (PLA). Additionally, biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and oil-based polypropylene (PP) were also tested. Changes in morphology, chemical composition and thermal and mechanical properties, as well as microbial colonization, were analyzed over time. A validated cleaning protocol was employed to ensure accurate surface analysis. Results showed detectable but limited degradation of pure polymers and their matrices in commercial products after 120 days of immersion with variations observed among polymer materials. Compostable materials exhibited significant leaching of fillers (starch, inorganic particles), leading to morphological changes and fragmentation. PHBV showed the fastest degradation among tested polyesters. PP exhibited only minor surface changes. Microbial colonization varied with polymer structure and degradability, but long-term degradation was limited by polymer properties and the gradual development of the plastisphere. This study highlights that standard laboratory tests may overestimate the environmental degradability of BPs and emphasizes the importance of in situ assessments, careful cleaning procedures and property characterizations to accurately assess polymer degradation in freshwater systems. Full article

Novel polyester–polyurethane polymeric materials were formulated by combining a natural aliphatic polyester, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB), with a synthetic aliphatic polyurethane via melt blending. The resulting fully biodegradable compositions were functionally modified through the incorporation of urea, with the aim of enabling post-consumer utilization of the material residues as nitrogen-rich fertilizers. The fabrication process was systematically established and optimized, focusing on homogeneous blending and processability. Comprehensive mechanical characterization—including tensile strength, impact resistance, and Shore hardness—was performed. Among the tested formulations, composites containing 1 wt.% urea demonstrated superior mechanical performance and optimal processing behavior. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to investigate molecular-level interactions between polymeric phases and urea, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to assess the morphological characteristics of the resulting biocompositions. Comparative analyses of the physico-mechanical properties and biodegradability were conducted among the urea-modified compositions, binary P3HB–polyurethane blends, and neat P3HB. The observed improvements in mechanical integrity and functional biodegradability suggest that the developed urea-enriched compositions are promising candidates for the fabrication of eco-friendly seedling pots via injection molding technology. Full article

This study investigates the adsorption behavior of 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC), a persistent ultraviolet filter, onto microplastic fibers (MPFs) released from domestic textiles, under environmentally relevant conditions. Two types of MPFs were used: MPF A, a heterogeneous blend of synthetic and natural fibers, and MPF B, a uniform polyester source. Adsorption experiments were conducted in municipal wastewater, Danube River surface water, and laundry effluent. Kinetic data best fit the pseudo-second-order model (R² > 0.95), and the Elovich model indicated chemisorption involving heterogeneous binding sites. MPF A exhibited superior adsorption capacities (qₑ = 85.4–90.1 µg/g) compared to MPF B (58.8–66.8 µg/g). Langmuir isotherms yielded maximum adsorption capacities of 204.9 µg/g for MPF A and 116.7 µg/g for MPF B (R² = 0.929–0.977), while D–R isotherm energies (12.0–21.7 kJ/mol) confirmed specific interactions, such as π–π stacking and hydrogen bonding. Adsorption efficiency was highest in municipal wastewater (total organic carbon—TOC = 13.12 mg/L, electrical conductivity—EC = 1152 µS/cm), followed by laundry and surface waters. These findings emphasize the critical role of polymer composition and matrix complexity in pollutant transport, suggesting MPFs are effective transporters of hydrophobic micropollutants in aquatic systems. Full article

The kinetics of liquid transport in textiles are determined by the thermodynamic boundary conditions and the substrate’s structure. The knitting process offers a wide range of possibilities for modifying the fabric structure, making it ideal for high-performance garments and technical applications. Given the highly complex nature of textiles’ interaction with liquids, this paper investigates how fabric structure affects combined wicking and drying behaviour. This facilitates comprehension of the underlying transport processes on the yarn and fabric scale, which is important for understanding the behaviour of the material as a whole. The presented experiment combines analysis of wicking through radial liquid spread using imaging techniques and analysis of the drying process through gravimetric measurement of evaporation. Eight samples of single jersey knitted fabrics were produced using polyester yarns of different texturization and fibre diameters on flat and circular knitting machines. The fabrics demonstrate significantly different wicking behaviours depending on their structure. The fabric’s drying time and rate are directly linked to the macroscopic spread of the liquid. Large inter-yarn pores hinder liquid spread. For the lowest liquid saturations, the yarn structure plays a critical role. Using fine, dense yarns can hinder convective drying within the yarn. Textured yarns tend to exhibit higher specific drying rates. The results offer a comprehensive insight into the interplay between the fabric’s structure and its wicking and drying behaviour, which is crucial for the development of functional fabrics in the knitting process. Full article

With increasing popularity of food delivery services, the microbial safety of transported meals should be ensured. An effect of the type of a meal (cooked rice; mashed potatoes; mushroom sauce), inner primary packaging (sugarcane bagasse [SB] tray; polypropylene [PP] tray), secondary container (polyester/polyethylene foam/aluminum foil [PPA] bag; PP box) on the time interval of the internal hot ready-to-eat (RTE) meal temperature decrease to the value critical for Bacillus cereus growth (40 °C) was tested during a simulated delivery; in aliquot samples of the same meals, B. cereus growth was quantified presuming a natural contamination of the meals. Type of a meal had no effect on the tested time interval (p > 0.05). Packaging a meal in the PP tray as compared to the SB tray and inserting primary trays into the PP box instead of PPA bag delayed (p < 0.05) the internal meal temperature decrease by 50 and 15 min, respectively. Average B. cereus counts in the naturally contaminated meals after the four-hour culturing at 40 °C was 2.99 log CFU·g⁻¹. It was concluded that a hot RTE meal delivered up to four hours under the tested conditions is not likely to facilitate B. cereus growth above unacceptable levels. Full article

This article presents a review of several non-exclusive pathways for the sequestration of soil organic carbon, which can be classified into two large classical groups: the modification of plant and microbial macromolecules and the abiotic and microbial neoformation of humic substances. Classical studies have established a causal relationship between aromatic structures and the stability of soil humus (traditional hypotheses regarding lignin and aromatic microbial metabolites as primary precursors for soil organic matter). However, further evidence has emerged that underscores the significance of humification mechanisms based solely on aliphatics. The precursors may be carbohydrates, which may be transformed by the effects of fire or catalytic dehydration reactions in soil. Furthermore, humic-type structures may be formed through the condensation of unsaturated fatty acids or the alteration of aliphatic biomacromolecules, such as cutins, suberins, and non-hydrolysable plant polyesters. In addition to the intrinsic value of understanding the potential for carbon sequestration in diverse soil types, biogeochemical models of the carbon cycle necessitate the assessment of the total quantity, nature, provenance, and resilience of the sequestered organic matter. This emphasises the necessity of applying specific techniques to gain insights into their molecular structures. The application of appropriate analytical techniques to soil organic matter, including sequential chemolysis or thermal degradation combined with isotopic analysis and high-resolution mass spectrometry, derivative spectroscopy (visible and infrared), or ¹³C magnetic resonance after selective degradation, enables the simultaneous assessment of the concurrent biophysicochemical stabilisation mechanisms of C in soils. Full article

The inherent hydrophobic nature of PVDF material renders it challenging to establish a stable aqueous hydration layer, thereby limiting its suitability as a substrate for the preparation of nanofiltration (NF) membranes. In this study, we developed a novel modification approach that effectively enhances the hydrophilicity of PVDF substrates through the incorporation of sulfonic acid-doped polyaniline (SPANI) and hyperbranched polyester (HPE) into the PVDF casting solution, followed by cross-linking with trimesoyl chloride (TMC). The introduction of SPANI and HPE, which contain reactive polar amino and hydroxyl groups, improved the hydrophilicity of the substrate, while the subsequent cross-linking with TMC effectively anchored these components within the substrate through the covalent linking between TMC and the reactive sites. Additionally, the hydrolysis of TMC yielded non-reactive carboxyl groups, which further enhanced the hydrophilicity of the substrate. As a result, the modified PVDF substrate exhibited improved hydrophilicity, facilitating the construction of an intact polyamide layer. In addition, the fabricated TFC NF membrane demonstrated excellent performance in the advanced treatment of tap water, achieving a total dissolved solid removal rate of 57.9% and a total organic carbon removal rate of 85.3%. This work provides a facile and effective route to modify PVDF substrates for NF membrane fabrication. Full article