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Recycled polylactic acid (PLAr) was reinforced with treated nanocellulosic hemp fibers for biocomposite fabrication. Cellulosic fibers were extracted from hemp fibers chemically and treated enzymatically. Treated nanocellulosic fibers (NCF) were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Biocomposite fabrication was done with PLAr and three concentrations of treated NCF (0.1%, 0.25%, and 1% (v/v)) and then studied for thermal stability and mechanical properties. Increased thermal stability was observed with increasing NCF concentrations. The highest value for Young’s modulus was for PLAr + 0.25% (v/v) NCF (250.28 ± 5.47 MPa), which was significantly increased compared to PLAr (p = 0.022). There was a significant decrease in the tensile stress at break point for PLAr + 0.25% (v/v) NCF and PLAr + 1% (v/v) NCF as compared to control (p = 0.006 and 0.002, respectively). No significant difference was observed between treatments for tensile stress at yield.

Recycled polylactic acid (PLAr) was reinforced with treated nanocellulosic hemp fibers for biocomposite fabrication. Cellulosic fibers were extracted from hemp fibers chemically and treated enzymatically. Treated nanocellulosic fibers (NCF) were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Biocomposite fabrication was done with PLAr and three concentrations of treated NCF (0.1%, 0.25%, and 1% (v/v)) and then studied for thermal stability and mechanical properties. Increased thermal stability was observed with increasing NCF concentrations. The highest value for Young’s modulus was for PLAr + 0.25% (v/v) NCF (250.28 ± 5.47 MPa), which was significantly increased compared to PLAr (p = 0.022). There was a significant decrease in the tensile stress at break point for PLAr + 0.25% (v/v) NCF and PLAr + 1% (v/v) NCF as compared to control (p = 0.006 and 0.002, respectively). No significant difference was observed between treatments for tensile stress at yield.

Polymers based on vegetable oils can be suitable candidates for the replacement of fossil polymers, for instance, polyurethanes (PU) based on castor oil. However, the synthesis PU materials are normally carried out using organic solvents, metals, and high temperatures. To overcome these problems, the sol-gel route is an alternative approach based on mild conditions to produce organic-inorganic hybrid urethanesil (Ut) environmentally friendly. Therefore, in this study, we proposed an organic-inorganic hybrid (OIH) synthesis based on castor oil (CO)-derived Ut, as well as the incorporation and interaction of europium β-diketone [Eu(tta)3(H2O)2] in organic-inorganic hybrid matrix. The Ut self-supporting hybrid was synthesized from the reaction of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate (ICPTES) and CO in a 3:1 M ratio. The films were obtained using the sol-gel process, following the casting method. The CO-based OIH-Ut films showed high transmittance in the visible and infrared spectrum (90%), and urethanesil showed photoluminescence (PL) with emission at 416.0 nm when excited at 319.0 nm. The results also revealed an increase in the intrinsic quantum yield of PL (QLEu) for [Eu(tta)3(H2O)2]. It has been verified a QLEu value of 27% for the isolated complex, whereas when it is incorporated into OIH-Ut a value of 49% was observed. Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Processo FAPESP: 2020/03259–9 Processo FAPESP: 2022/03652–8 CAPES: 88887.499004/2020–00

Polymers based on vegetable oils can be suitable candidates for the replacement of fossil polymers, for instance, polyurethanes (PU) based on castor oil. However, the synthesis PU materials are normally carried out using organic solvents, metals, and high temperatures. To overcome these problems, the sol-gel route is an alternative approach based on mild conditions to produce organic-inorganic hybrid urethanesil (Ut) environmentally friendly. Therefore, in this study, we proposed an organic-inorganic hybrid (OIH) synthesis based on castor oil (CO)-derived Ut, as well as the incorporation and interaction of europium β-diketone [Eu(tta)3(H2O)2] in organic-inorganic hybrid matrix. The Ut self-supporting hybrid was synthesized from the reaction of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate (ICPTES) and CO in a 3:1 M ratio. The films were obtained using the sol-gel process, following the casting method. The CO-based OIH-Ut films showed high transmittance in the visible and infrared spectrum (90%), and urethanesil showed photoluminescence (PL) with emission at 416.0 nm when excited at 319.0 nm. The results also revealed an increase in the intrinsic quantum yield of PL (QLEu) for [Eu(tta)3(H2O)2]. It has been verified a QLEu value of 27% for the isolated complex, whereas when it is incorporated into OIH-Ut a value of 49% was observed. Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Processo FAPESP: 2020/03259–9 Processo FAPESP: 2022/03652–8 CAPES: 88887.499004/2020–00

Abstract The accelerating sea-ice, ice sheet and glacial melt associated with climate warming have resulted in important changes in the Arctic region over the past decades. In northern Baffin Bay, the formation of the North Open Water (NOW) polynya, which is intrinsically linked to regional sea-ice conditions and ocean circulation, has become more variable in recent years. To understand how climate-driven changes affect sea-surface conditions in the polynya, we analyzed dinoflagellate cyst assemblages from a sediment core record that covers the past ca. 3800 years, and developed an index based on the locations of modern analogues from a large regional reference dataset. Our results suggest a prolonged open-water season characterized by higher summer sea-surface salinity and temperature between ca. 3800 to 2500 years BP, followed by gradual cooling, freshening and increased sea-ice influence from 2500 to 1500 years BP, and continued sea-surface cooling with a shorter open-water season from 1500 to 156 years BP. The modern warming translates into a rapid turnover in the composition of dinoflagellate cyst assemblages during the last 50 years of our record, unprecedented for at least the past 3800 years studied here. For the uppermost part of our core (ca. 2009 to 2015 CE), the dinoflagellate cyst assemblages suggest increased stratification and sea-surface freshening resulting from increased glacial runoff and Arctic sea-ice export into the NOW region. Arctic climate projections indicate accelerated sea-ice thinning and ice sheet melt in the future, pointing to a shorter polynya season and increased polar inflows leading to fundamental changes within the NOW polynya into future years.

Abstract The accelerating sea-ice, ice sheet and glacial melt associated with climate warming have resulted in important changes in the Arctic region over the past decades. In northern Baffin Bay, the formation of the North Open Water (NOW) polynya, which is intrinsically linked to regional sea-ice conditions and ocean circulation, has become more variable in recent years. To understand how climate-driven changes affect sea-surface conditions in the polynya, we analyzed dinoflagellate cyst assemblages from a sediment core record that covers the past ca. 3800 years, and developed an index based on the locations of modern analogues from a large regional reference dataset. Our results suggest a prolonged open-water season characterized by higher summer sea-surface salinity and temperature between ca. 3800 to 2500 years BP, followed by gradual cooling, freshening and increased sea-ice influence from 2500 to 1500 years BP, and continued sea-surface cooling with a shorter open-water season from 1500 to 156 years BP. The modern warming translates into a rapid turnover in the composition of dinoflagellate cyst assemblages during the last 50 years of our record, unprecedented for at least the past 3800 years studied here. For the uppermost part of our core (ca. 2009 to 2015 CE), the dinoflagellate cyst assemblages suggest increased stratification and sea-surface freshening resulting from increased glacial runoff and Arctic sea-ice export into the NOW region. Arctic climate projections indicate accelerated sea-ice thinning and ice sheet melt in the future, pointing to a shorter polynya season and increased polar inflows leading to fundamental changes within the NOW polynya into future years.