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China has abundant straw resources; however, the utilization of straw waste resource remains challenging. In this work, corn straw fiber and corn straw ash were applied to concrete as raw material after pretreatment. Through mechanical and thermal conductivity tests, it was concluded that the tensile strength of the corn straw fiber was 160.5 MPa after alkali treatment. The corn straw fiber and corn straw powder did not enhance the compressive strength of concrete. Compared with original concrete, the thermal conductivity of concrete added with 1.5% corn straw powder decreased by 25.9%, and the thermal conductivity of concrete with 5% corn straw ash was reduced by only 5.2%. Through thermogravimetric analysis of the concrete, it was found that the internal weakly bound water and strongly bound water will be lost in the range 100 °C to 160 °C, Ca(OH)2 will decompose from 420 °C to 500 °C, and CaCO3 will decompose approximately at 800 °C. It is recommended that corn straw powder and corn straw ash can be added at 1.5% and 5% concentrations to ensure that the mechanical properties can meet the engineering requirements and achieve good insulation performance.

In recent years, under the pressure of resource shortage and white pollution, the development and utilization of biodegradable wood-plastic composites (WPC) has become one of the hot spots for scholars’ research. Here, corn straw fiber (CSF) was chosen to reinforce a poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix with a mass ratio of 3:7, and the CSF/PLA composites were obtained by melt mixing. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the corn straw fiber core (CSFC) and corn straw fiber skin (CSFS) loaded PLA composites were stronger than those of the CSFS/PLA composites when the particle size of CSF was low. The tensile strength and bending strength of CSFS/CSFC/PLA are 54.08 MPa and 87.24 MPa, respectively, and the elongation at break is 4.60%. After soaking for 8 hours, the water absorption of CSF/PLA composite reached saturation. When the particle size of CSF is above 80 mesh, the saturated water absorption of the material is kept below 7%, and CSF/PLA composite has good hydrophobicity, which is mainly related to the interfacial compatibility between PLA and CSF. By observing the microstructure of the cross section of the CSF/PLA composite, the research found that the smaller the particle size of CSF, the smoother the cross section of the composite and the more unified the dispersion of CSF in PLA. Therefore, exploring the composites formed by different components of CSF and PLA can not only expand the application range of PLA, but also enhance the application value of CSF in the field of composites.

AimsDuring our previous laboratory incubation experiments, we found that the fungus (Trichoderma reesei (T. reesei)) has the best ability to transform corn straw into humic acid-like (HAL) substance. To further investigate whether the direct application of corn straw incorporated with T. reesei is as effective as the application of corn straw fermented with T. reesei in promoting the transformation and accumulation of stable soil organic matter components, a 720-day field experiment was established.MethodsThe field experiment involved four treatments applied to the soil at equal carbon mass: corn straw incorporated with T. reesei (CS-T), corn straw (CS), fermented corn straw treated by T. reesei (FCS-T), and blank control treatment (CK). The elemental analyzer, fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric were used to comprehensively characterize the soil humic acid (HA) structure of the above treatments.ResultsThe results showed that the CS-T treatment encouraged the decomposition of unstable components of soil HA at 30 days, and formed a relatively younger HA at 180 days. The FCS-T treatment directly formed soil HA with more aliphatic compounds between 30 and 360 days. After a long transformation and accumulation, the FCS-T treatment at 720 days increased the relative HA content to 29.3% and formed more aromatic and stable HA with the H/C ratio and fluorescence index of 1.257 and 0.618, respectively.ConclusionsThe application of FCS-T could be a more suitable practice than the direct application of corn straw to increase soil HA content and aromaticity, as well as to improve soil HA stability.

Previously, we presented a novel approach for increasing the consumption of xylose and the lipid yield by overexpressing the genes coding for xylose isomerase (XI) and xylulokinase (XK) in Mucor circinelloides. In the present study, an in-depth analysis of lipid accumulation by xylose metabolism engineered M. circinelloides strains (namely Mc-XI and Mc-XK) using corn straw hydrolysate was to be explored. The results showed that the fatty acid contents of the engineered M. circinelloides strains were, respectively, increased by 19.8% (in Mc-XI) and 22.3% (in Mc-XK) when compared with the control strain, even though a slightly decreased biomass in these engineered strains was detected. Moreover, the xylose uptake rates of engineered strains in the corn straw hydrolysate were improved significantly by 71.5% (in Mc-XI) and 68.8% (in Mc-XK), respectively, when compared with the control strain. Maybe the increased utilization of xylose led to an increase in lipid synthesis. When the recombinant M. circinelloides strains were cultured in corn straw hydrolysate medium with the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) of 50 and initial pH of 6.0, at 30 °C and 500 rpm for 144 h, a total biomass of 12.6–12.9 g/L with a lipid content of 17.2–17.7% (corresponding to a lipid yield of 2.17–2.28 g/L) was achieved. Our study provides a foundation for the further application of the engineered M. circinelloides strains to produce lipid from lignocelluloses.

The development of the automobile industry will bring a large number of used tires, forming “black” pollution. At the same time, China is a big agricultural country, which produces a large amount of corn straw every year, the traditional straw treatment methods such as incineration and feed conversion, which have low utilization rate and pollute the environment. In this work, the corn straw was processed into cellulose to reinforce used rubber powder, preparing the corn straw cellulose (CS)/used tire rubber powder (GTR) composites. NaOH and CH 3 COOH solutions were used as treating agents, and then silane coupling agent Si69, KH550, KH590 and titanate coupling agent HY101 were used to modify compatibility between CS and GTR. The mechanical properties, combustion and composition of CS/GTR composites were studied by mechanical properties, SEM, XPS, FTIR, fire resistance and hydroscopicity test. The results showed that the corn straw pretreated with NaOH solution contained higher cellulose and had the higher strength. The tensile strength, bending strength, elongation at break and Shore A hardness of Si69–CS/GTR composites were increased by 2.03 MPa, 4.01 MPa, 18.6% and 15%, respectively, the wear decreased by 33%, the hydroscopicity decreased by 26.5%, and was of good flame retardancy when the CS was 25 phr (per hundred parts of rubber) and Si69 was 2.0 phr. A new way to prepare recycled materials from waste materials was explored by studying CS/GTR composites, and widened the application field of CS and GTR waste materials.

This study investigates the mechanical, biodegradation, and microstructural performance of cementitious composites reinforced with Corn Straw Ash (CSA) and Corn Straw Fiber (CSF) for applications in bio-inspired materials and sustainable engineering. CSA, a pozzolanic material, enhances matrix densification, while CSF provides crack-bridging and toughness improvement. Dynamic mechanical testing under cyclic loading demonstrated that CSA-CSF composites exhibit superior fatigue resistance, retaining 85% of their initial compressive strength after 1000 cycles. Biodegradation studies in simulated body fluid (SBF) and acidic environments revealed that the composites maintain 75% compressive strength in SBF over 28 days, highlighting their potential for bioactive scaffolds. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and quantitative porosity analysis showed that CSA-derived Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C-S-H) gel effectively filled voids, while CSF enhanced fiber-matrix bonding, mimicking the hierarchical structure of biological systems. The results emphasize the dual benefits of CSA-CSF composites in dynamic environments and their alignment with sustainable and bio-inspired design principles. This research provides insights into the development of materials for biomechanical applications, including tissue engineering scaffolds and earthquake-resistant structures.

Hydrophobic materials have promising applications. However, fluorine present in hydrophobic materials can lead to health risks and environmental pollution. This study investigated an environmentally friendly route to produce fluorine-free hydrophobic coatings with good wear resistance. Wear-resistant hydrophobic coatings were prepared by introducing different ratios of spirocyclic alkoxysilane into the epoxy resin. Characterization by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water contact angle measurement, scanning electron microscope, tape adhesion test, and abrasion testing showed that the multi-methyl group and double-ring rigid skeleton structure of spirocyclic alkoxysilane can remarkably improve the hydrophobic performance and wear resistance of the epoxy resin. The modified hydrophobic coatings can withstand more than 1600 instances of controlled rubbing. Furthermore, the maximum water contact angle can reach 110° after substantial abrasion. The novelty of the work is that the authors successfully synthesized spirocyclic alkoxysilane for the first-time using corn straw ash. The prepared spirocyclic alkoxysilane was then used as a modifier to prepare hydrophobic epoxy resin coating. This approach can broaden the utilization of corn straw ash. Therefore, this method can achieve a green and low-cost preparation of wear-resistant hydrophobic coatings without the introduction of fluorine.

This work aimed to study the removal of malachite green dye from wastewaters through adsorption using raw corn straw (RCS) and ultrasound-assisted modified corn straw (MCS). RCS and MCS were prepared and characterized in detail. The characterization indicated that RCS and MCS presented favorable structures for malachite green adsorption and that the ultrasound treatment provided a disorganization of the adsorbent’s crystalline regions and also caused the formation of cavities and protuberances. The adsorption study was performed by equilibrium isotherms, kinetic curves, thermodynamic parameters, and application in real effluents composed of dye mixtures and inorganic compounds. The Elovich model was suitable for the adsorption kinetics and the Freundlich model was appropriate to represent the equilibrium. The maximum experimental adsorption capacities were 200 mg g −1 for RCS and 210 mg g −1 for MCS, obtained at 328 K. MCS was more effective than RCS to treat real effluents, attaining around 92% of color removal.

PurposeTo mitigate and improve soil wind erosion before spring ploughingin Horqin Sandy land in north China, the amount of wind erosion and nutrient loss under various cover crops are monitored and quantified in spring of 2022 and 2023 (from March 26 to April 26).Materials and methodsWe monitored soil sediment transport and wind erosion associated with different cover crops (winter rye mulch, corn straw stubble and pepper stubble) using Big Spring Number Eight (BSNE) stepped sand samplers, and determined the soil physicochemical properties in the spring of 2022 and 2023.Results and discussionErodible particles were observed to a height of 1 m but principally from 0 to 60 cm; the number of particles decreased with height. Soil sand transport and wind erosion decreased in the order pepper stubble field > corn straw stubble field > winter rye-mulched field. Compared to pepper stubble and corn straw stubble, winter rye mulching reduced soil sediment transport and wind erosion by more than 96%. Compared to pepper stubble and corn stubble fields, winter rye-mulched fields had the lowest nutrient losses. In terms of economic benefit, winter rye-mulched fields required the lowest amount of fertiliser to remedy wind erosion-induced losses of total nitrogen and phosphorus.ConclusionA rotation of a rye winter crop after autumn harvest may effectively reduce wind erosion in the Horqin Sandy Land of northern China.

The effect of corn straw biochar on inhibiting the re-acidification of acid soils derived from different parent materials due to increased soil pH buffering capacity (pHBC) was investigated using indoor incubation and simulated acidification experiments. The incorporation of the biochar increased the pHBC of all four soils due to the increase in soil cation exchange capacity (CEC). When 5% biochar was incorporated, the pHBC was increased by 62, 27, 32, and 24% for the Ultisols derived from Tertiary red sandstone, Quaternary red earth, granite, and the Oxisol derived from basalt, respectively. Ca(OH)2 and the biochar were added to adjust the soil pH to the same values, and then HNO3 was added to acidify these amended soils. The results of this simulated acidification indicated that the decrease in soil pH induced by HNO3 was lower for the treatments with the biochar added than that of the treatments with Ca(OH)2 added. Consequently, the biochar could inhibit the re-acidification of the amended acid soils due to the increased resistance of the soils to acidification when the pH of amended soil was higher than 5.5. The inhibiting effectiveness of the biochar on soil re-acidification was greater in the Ultisol derived from Tertiary red sandstone due to its lower clay and organic matter contents and CEC than the other three soils. The incorporation of the biochar also decreased the potentially reactive Al, i.e., exchangeable Al, organically bound Al, and sorbed hydroxyl Al, compared with the treatments amended with Ca(OH)2. Therefore, the incorporation of corn straw biochar not only inhibited the re-acidification of amended acid soils through increasing their resistance to acidification but also decreased the potential of Al toxicity generated during re-acidification.