@article{chen_long_dou_wang_meng_2021, title={Processing and characterization of thermoplastic corn starch-based film/paper composites containing microcrystalline cellulose}, ISSN={["1097-0010"]}, DOI={10.1002/jsfa.11315}, abstractNote={BACKGROUND
Different thermoplastic starch (TPS) films were prepared with or without the addition of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) obtained via melt-extrusion method, then hot-press method was used to produce environmentally friendly TPS-based film/paper composites to replace petroleum-based materials.


RESULTS
The paper-plastic composites exhibited good interfacial adhesion from the SEM images. It was seen that 5wt.% MCC was added to reinforce the mechanical properties of TPS films, so that it also improved the barrier properties of MCC@TPS/Paper composites and extended the path of water vapor through TPS films, which decreased the water vapor transmission rate of MCC@TPS/Paper composites. TPS/Paper composites and MCC@TPS/Paper composites have better physical properties (i.e. smoothness, flexibility and folding resistance) than only paper. In particular, it was found that the water contact angle of MCC@TPS/Paper composites and TPS/Paper composites were higher than single-layer paper. Furthermore, MCC reinforced paper-plastic composites demonstrated good barrier properties which can meet the requirement of lower water sensitive materials in food packaging industry.


CONCLUSION
Thermoplastic corn starch-based film/paper composites have good application properties as a potential source of bioplastic materials. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.}, journal={JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE}, author={Chen, Jie and Long, Zhu and Dou, Chang and Wang, Xia and Meng, Yahui}, year={2021}, month={Sep} }
 @article{ou_dou_yu_kim_park_lee_kelley_park_2021, title={Techno-economic analysis of sugar production from lignocellulosic biomass with utilization of hemicellulose and lignin for high-value co-products}, volume={15}, ISSN={["1932-1031"]}, DOI={10.1002/bbb.2170}, abstractNote={Sugar derived from lignocellulosic biomass is an important intermediate product, often used for the production of biofuels and value‐added chemicals. It is therefore essential to understand and reduce the production costs of sugar derived from lignocellulosic biomass. This study evaluates the economic feasibility of a biorefinery producing sugar from lignocellulosic biomass using a combination of autohydrolysis and mechanical refining pretreatment. This biorefinery is self‐sufficient in energy, producing excess electricity for sale. The minimum sugar selling price (MSSP) that achieves a zero net present value is $446/metric ton. The possibility of using the two main by‐products, dissolved hemicellulose and lignin, for the production of high‐value products, xylitol and polyol, is also evaluated. When dissolved hemicellulose is used for xylitol production, the MSSP decreases to $347/metric ton. When lignin is liquefied to produce polyol, the MSSP is further reduced to $342/metric ton. External energy (natural gas) must be purchased if xylitol and polyol are produced. An analysis of capital and operating costs reveals that, although the production of xylitol and polyol incurs additional capital investment, their correspondingly high values outweigh the additional capital costs. Sensitivity analysis results indicate that efficient recovery and recycling of expensive chemicals like acetone and glycerol are key to the success of the biorefinery. Yields of xylitol and polyol also have strong impacts on the process economics. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd}, number={2}, journal={BIOFUELS BIOPRODUCTS & BIOREFINING-BIOFPR}, author={Ou, Longwen and Dou, Chang and Yu, Ju-Hyun and Kim, Hoyong and Park, Yong-Cheol and Lee, Eun Yeol and Kelley, Stephen and Park, Sunkyu}, year={2021}, month={Mar}, pages={404–415} }