Enhancing properties of jute/starch bio-composite material through incorporation of magnesium carbonate hydroxide pentahydrate: A sustainable approach

Abstract

This research aims to develop an environment-friendly composite material that possesses enhanced fire retardant (FR), thermal, as well as mechanical characteristics. The aim has been accomplished with the development of a jute/thermoplastic starch (TPS) based bio-composite. The fire retardancy and thermal stability of the jute/TPS composite were enhanced by the incorporation of magnesium carbonate hydroxide pentahydrate (MCHPH). Upon exposure to heat or fire, the MCHPH particles decompose in a two-stage process to yield water vapors and a char layer of MgO and CO2, which restrict access to oxygen and result in flame suppression. Moreover, the main contribution of the article is the improvement of mechanical properties simultaneously with the enhancement in the fire retardant and thermal properties, which have rarely been reported in the literature. The enhancement of mechanical properties is supported by the compatibility of MCHPH particles with jute/TPS. All the composites were developed with a constant 40 % jute fiber content, while the MCHPH concentration varied from 0 % to 9 % by weight. The tensile strength of TPS was enhanced by 595 % with the reinforcement of jute fiber and MCHPH nano-filler. Compatibility between TPS, jute, and MCHPH was discovered through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the fractured surfaces of the composites. Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed a decrease in the weight loss of the MCHPH-filled jute/TPS composites at high temperatures. The vertical burning test also revealed that the composites met the requirements for a V-0 rating. The heat release rate of the composites was reduced by 36 % after the addition of MCHPH, as measured by cone calorimetry test. The biodegradability test confirmed the eco-friendly nature of the composites by demonstrating significant weight loss in soil over a 4-weeks period. Thus, the present study provided the basis for the development of a novel green composite with commendable gains in flame resistance, thermal stability, and mechanical robustness.