Details of the Researcher

PHOTO

Rova Lovisa Erika Larsdotter
Section
Graduate School of Engineering
Job title
Assistant Professor
e-Rad No.
11042549

Papers 14

  1. Biodegradation assessment of polybutylene succinate by linking CO2 evolution to tensile strength reduction

    Lovisa Rova, Zhenjin Wang, Suprokash Koner, Hiroki Kurita, Mei-Fang Chien, Fumio Narita

    Polymer Degradation and Stability　2026/12

    DOI： 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.112443 　

  2. Fabrication and performance evaluation of TiO2 nanoparticle modified cellulose/PBS biocomposites

    K. Islam, L. Rova, M. M. Bashar, M. L. Rahman, T. A. Ruhane, M. A. Khan, Z. Wang, H. Kurita, F. Narita, S. C. Das

    Scientific Reports　2026/08/09

    DOI： 10.1038/s41598-026-65858-x 　

    ISSN： 2045-2322

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    <jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p> In this study, jute fiber cellulose (JFC) was extracted from raw jute fibers using an alkaline (NaOH + H <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> O <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> ) chemical treatment. Titanium dioxide (TiO <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> ) nanoparticle-dispersed cellulosic biocomposite films (JFC-TiO <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> ) were subsequently fabricated and coated with biodegradable polybutylene succinate (PBS). Mechanical characterization showed that the uncoated JFC films exhibited a Young’s modulus of 0.27 GPa, an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 8.2 MPa, and an elongation at break of 4.1%. The incorporation of TiO <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> nanoparticles decreased the mechanical properties of the uncoated films. However, when laminated with PBS, the presence of TiO <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> enhanced the stiffness and strength of the composites. The JFC-TiO <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> -PBS film containing 0.5 mg TiO <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> achieved a Young’s modulus of 0.33 GPa, a UTS of 33 MPa, and an elongation at break of 19.7%. These data compared favorably with other cellulose-based biocomposites, surpassing the mechanical performance of banana plant and water hyacinth paper, with UTS of 27.5 and 14.8 MPa, respectively. In addition, the current study exhibited superior elongation to that of tree bark composites (2.0%). Biodegradation testing confirmed efficient compost decomposition of the JFC-TiO <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> films, with the 1.0 mg and 2.5 mg TiO <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> samples reaching biodegradation levels of 62% and 73%, respectively, after 45 days. Additional characterizations, including Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and water contact angle (WCA) measurements were conducted to evaluate structural and surface properties. Particularly, the PBS-coated JFC-TiO₂ films exhibited superior water resistance, with a WCA of 87.6°, compared with commercial coated paper, addressing a key limitation of conventional cellulosic packaging materials. Owing to their natural origin, biodegradability, and enhanced physico-mechanical performance, these JFC-based biocomposite films show strong potential for sustainable packaging and other environmentally responsible materials applications. </jats:p>

  3. Quantitative coupling between mechanical deterioration and biodegradation in bamboo-poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) composites: Toward predictive modeling across compost and aquatic environments

    Snigdha Das, Lovisa Rova, Zhenjin Wang, Hiroki Kurita, Fumio Narita

    Polymer Degradation and Stability　2026/07

    DOI： 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.112107 　

    ISSN： 0141-3910

  4. Quantitative relationship between mechanical degradation and biodegradation in washi-reinforced PHBH laminated composites

    Snigdha Das, Lovisa Rova, Zhenjin Wang, Hiroki Kurita, Fumio Narita

    Polymer Degradation and Stability　2026/07

    DOI： 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2026.112083 　

    ISSN： 0141-3910

  5. Sustainable cellulose-reinforced polybutylene succinate biocomposites: Fabrication, thermal stability, mechanical properties, and biodegradability evaluation

    Bantamlak Birlie Kassie, Hiroki Kurita, Fumio Narita, Lovisa Rova, Marcin Barburski, Dehenenet Flatie Tassaw

    Industrial Crops and Products　2026/03

    DOI： 10.1016/j.indcrop.2026.123024 　

  6. Designed to disintegrate: A mechanical framework for bio-based biodegradable polymer composites

    Lovisa Rova, Lalit Mohan Pandey, M. Mahbubul Bashar, Zhenjin Wang, Hiroki Kurita, Fumio Narita

    MechanoEngineering　2026/03/01

    DOI： 10.1063/5.0287995 　

  7. Evaluating and interpreting biodegradability of a tree bark–based green composite through tensile properties

    Lovisa Rova, Zhenjin Wang, Hiroki Kurita, Fumio Narita

    npj Materials Degradation　2026/01/20

    DOI： 10.1038/s41529-026-00740-9 　

    ISSN： 2397-2106

  8. Biodegradation Assessment of Polybutylene Succinate by Linking CO₂ Evolution to Tensile Strength Reduction

    Lovisa ROVA, Zhenjin Wang, Suprokash KONER, Hiroki KURITA, Mei-Fang Chien, Fumio NARITA

    2026

    DOI： 10.2139/ssrn.6986025 　

  9. Transforming Tree Bark Waste into a Green Composite: Mechanical Properties and Biodegradability

    Lovisa Rova, Juson Kokubo, Zhenjin Wang, Hiroki Kurita, Fumio Narita

    Journal of Composites Science　2024/11/11

    DOI： 10.3390/jcs8110465 　

    ISSN： 2504-477X

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    <jats:p>In this study, a “green composite” material made from 60% tree bark and 40% polylactic acid (PLA) was fabricated and evaluated according to its mechanical properties and biodegradability. Biodegradation tests were performed in compost, simulated aquatic environments, and natural soil. In compost, the composite degraded steadily and reached 47% biodegradation after 11 weeks. In soil, the material quickly lost much of its tensile strength, and after 6 weeks, there were signs that the surface and the internal structure had started to deform. Biodegradation in aquatic environments also caused a loss of tensile strength after only a few weeks. Because of the high filler content, excellent biodegradability, and light weight, the composite material has a low environmental footprint. The material could be used in agricultural equipment such as plant pots.</jats:p>

  10. Japanese washi-paper-based green composites: Fabrication, mechanical characterization, and evaluation of biodegradability

    Lovisa Rova, Alia Gallet--Pandellé, Zhenjin Wang, Hiroki Kurita, Fumio Narita

    Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing　2024/09

    DOI： 10.1016/j.compositesa.2024.108261 　

    ISSN： 1359-835X

  11. Reproducibility and Compressive Strength Enhancement of Printed Silk Fibroin–Polyethylene Glycidyl Methacrylate Composite Hydrogels Via Cellulose Nanofibers

    L. Rova, M. Saito, H. Kurita, T. Kanno, A. Gallet-Pandellé, F. Narita

    Strength of Materials　2023/11

    DOI： 10.1007/s11223-024-00610-2 　

    ISSN： 0039-2316 1573-9325

  12. Fabrication of negative magnetostrictive Japanese traditional paper (washi) with cobalt ferrite particles

    Hiroki Kurita, Lovisa Rova, Takumi Keino, Fumio Narita

    Journal of Applied Physics　2023/10/28

    DOI： 10.1063/5.0159421 　

  13. Negative magnetostrictive paper formed by dispersing CoFe2O4 particles in cellulose nanofibrils

    Takumi Keino, Lovisa Rova, Alia Gallet--Pandellé, Hiroki Kurita, Fumio Narita

    Scientific Reports　2023/04/15

    DOI： 10.1038/s41598-023-31655-z 　

    ISSN： 2045-2322

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    <jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p> Polymers are often combined with magnetostrictive materials to enhance their toughness. This study reports a cellulose nanofibril (CNF)-based composite paper containing dispersed CoFe <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> O <jats:sub>4</jats:sub> particles (CNF–CoFe <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> O <jats:sub>4</jats:sub> ). Besides imparting magnetization and magnetostriction, the incorporation of CoFe <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> O <jats:sub>4</jats:sub> particles decreased the ultimate tensile strength and increased the fracture elongation of the CNF–CoFe <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> O <jats:sub>4</jats:sub> composite paper. CNF was responsible for the tensile properties of CNF–CoFe <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> O <jats:sub>4</jats:sub> composite paper. Consequently, the magnetic and magnetostrictive properties and tensile properties of CNF–CoFe <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> O <jats:sub>4</jats:sub> composite paper can be controlled by changing the mixture ratio of CNF and CoFe <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> O <jats:sub>4</jats:sub> particles. </jats:p>

  14. Variation of the Tensile Properties of Basalt-Fiber-Reinforced Polybutylene Succinate Matrix Composites during Microbial Degradation

    Lovisa Rova, Hiroki Kurita, Shinji Kudo, Sho Hatayama, Teruyoshi Kanno, Alia Gallet--Pandellé, Fumio Narita

    Polymers　2023/04/05

    DOI： 10.3390/polym15071796 　

    ISSN： 2073-4360

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    <jats:p>Little is known about how the strength of biodegradable polymers changes during decomposition. This study investigated the changes in the tensile properties of polybutylene succinate (PBS) and basalt-fiber (BF)-reinforced PBS (PBS-BF) composite sheets during degradation in bacterial solutions. Seven days after the start of the experiment, the elongation at break of the PBS specimens decreased significantly, and the PBS-BF composite specimens were characterized by barely any change in ultimate tensile strength (UTS) after immersion in the bacteria-free medium for 7 and 56 days. Meanwhile, when immersed in the bacterial solution, the UTS of the PBS-BF composite specimens showed a tendency to decrease after 7 days. After 56 days, the UTS decreased to about half of its value immediately after fabrication. The degradation of the material was attributed to infiltration of the bacterial solution into structurally weak areas, causing decomposition throughout the material.</jats:p>

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