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In this study, a biocomposite material derived from rice husk filler (RHF) reinforced for polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) blend was developed. RHF particles obtained as a byproduct from the agricultural industry were used as environmentally friendly fillers. ENR was applied as a plasticizer and compatibilizer to improve the compatibilization between PVC matrix and RHF. Regarding the influence of RHF content, RHF particle size, and ENR amount on the properties of such biocomposite, the mechanical and thermal properties were analyzed. The obtained results implied that the combination between PVC, ENR, and RHF in an optimized ratio of 90/10/20 (wt%) can produce a novel biocomposite with enhanced properties, which can offer good advantages for various applications in requirement of environmental protection.

Density functional theory calculations were performed to elucidate the origin of catalytic activity of the pristine LnO-terminated surfaces of two Ruddlesden−Popper phase oxides of industrial interest. The direct comparison of molecular oxygen interaction with La 2 NiO 4 and Pr 2 NiO 4 allowed us to evaluate the electronic effect on the oxygen reduction reaction energetics. We have further addressed the surface catalytic activity as a function of interstitial oxygen occupancy in the rock salt layer and provided a possible explanation for the limits of the interstitial oxygen concentration. The oxide ion transport in the rock salt layer was compared for La 2 NiO 4.125 and Pr 2 NiO 4.125 . The diffusion difference was attributed to the electronic structure of the valence shells of Pr and La. The different polarizability of those elements would lead to the opposite effect on the transition state stability. In-depth understanding of the La 2 NiO 4 and Pr 2 NiO 4 (including La 2 NiO 4.125 and Pr 2 NiO 4.125 ) electronic properties allowed us to refer electronic and hole conductivities to the computed band gaps and the electronic structure of the valence bands. Our study shows that while La 2 NiO 4 and Pr 2 NiO 4 share a similar crystallographic structure, the most important properties, such as surface catalytic activity, ionic diffusivity, and electron transport, are a direct consequence of the valence shell structure of the Ln cations: La and Pr.

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