Abstract
The overproduction of plastics and the wide availability of natural fibers that become a source of contamination before ending their useful life, in a context of environmental crisis, has led researchers to study how to integrate them into the production of biocomposites. For this project, the development of a composite material that integrated expanded post-consumer polystyrene (EPS) and palm fiber (OPEFB) was proposed. OPEFB fibers were obtained from palm growers in the region, being processed by drying, grinding and sieving with a particle size (Mesh of 30,40, 50, 60 and 70). To obtain the solvent of the EPS, a volume of orange essential oil (Citrus sinensis) was distilled off by steam and the amount of d-limonene present was quantified using the gas chromatography technique coupled to mass spectrometry. Subsequently, the EPS was dissolved and a solubility of 0.5 g / mL was reached and with this volume a 1: 2 water / EPS-Citrus Sinensis emulsion was formulated which was characterized using the optical microscopy technique and two dyes of different polarity to observe its affinity with both phases, allowing it to be classified as a W/O type macroemulsion. The agglomerates were made by a process of molding, pressing and heating for baking. All the above parameters were kept constant and only the fiber size varied. The tests of resistance to compression and hardness showed that, to a smaller fiber size, less hardness, resistance to compression and stiffness, so the specimens made with mesh fibers (Mesh) No. 40 showed better performance in mechanical tests.
Highlights
Materials science and technology have made significant achievements with the development of biocomposites [1], which are developed by combining natural fiber and non-biodegradable petroleum-derived plastic
The incorporation of plastics in this type of materials contributes to solve an environmental problem caused by its uncontrolled production and irresponsible final disposition, making its stable nature and difficulty entering the degradation cycles of the biosphere become a huge disadvantage in its post-consumer phase [4]
For its profitability and availability, widely studied by Dr Stashenko and her team [ 27], Citrus sinensis was used from which the ecological emulsion composed of 50% m/m of water was formulated, starting with a solution with 1:2 ratio of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and solvent
Summary
Materials science and technology have made significant achievements with the development of biocomposites [1], which are developed by combining natural fiber and non-biodegradable petroleum-derived plastic. The use of these fibers as a reinforcement of composite materials is an alternative to extend their service life and improve waste management. This research project is planned to develop a composite material that integrates post-consumer EPS into a polymer matrix using Citrus sinensis to form an emulsion that aglodes the fibers of palm rachis and offer an ecological alternative to extend the life of these wastes
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