Development Of Biocomposites Research Articles

Development of biocomposites from Samanea Saman Fillers reinforced with PLA

Development of biocomposites from Samanea Saman Fillers reinforced with PLA

Recent Developments in Bio Composites from Natural Fibers and Agricultural Wastes

Editor's Corner

Development of Biocomposite Alginate-Cuttlebone-Gelatin 3D Printing Inks Designed for Scaffolds with Bone Regeneration Potential.

Fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds using natural biomaterials introduces valuable opportunities in bone tissue reconstruction and regeneration. The current study aimed at the development of paste-like 3D printing inks with an extracellular matrix-inspired formulation based on marine materials: sodium alginate (SA), cuttlebone (CB), and fish gelatin (FG). Macroporous scaffolds with microporous biocomposite filaments were obtained by 3D printing combined with post-printing crosslinking. CB fragments were used for their potential to stimulate biomineralization. Alginate enhanced CB embedding within the polymer matrix as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and micro-computer tomography (micro-CT) and improved the deformation under controlled compression as revealed by micro-CT. SA addition resulted in a modulation of the bulk and surface mechanical behavior, and lead to more elongated cell morphology as imaged by confocal microscopy and ESEM after the adhesion of MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts at 48 h. Formation of a new mineral phase was detected on the scaffold's surface after cell cultures. All the results were correlated with the scaffolds' compositions. Overall, the study reveals the potential of the marine materials-containing inks to deliver 3D scaffolds with potential for bone regeneration applications.

Characterization of the Neuropeltis acuminatas liana fiber treated as composite reinforcement

Treatment of plant fibers with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is an effective solution to dissolve their non-cellulosic substances and reduce their sensitivity to moisture or water, and to improve fiber-matrix adhesion in composites. The presence of these non-cellulosic substances in Neuropeltis acuminatas (NA) fibers still limits their use in biocomposite development. In this study, tropical fibers extracted by wet retting from the bark of NA lianas native to Cameroon, were treated for the first time with NaOH solution at weight concentrations of 3%, 5% and 8%. Thermal, FTIR, and SEM analyses reveal that NaOH treatment is effective in removing non-cellulosic substances, resulting in thermal stability up to 230.3 °C, allowable friction capacity (1.25<Sq/Sa=1.27<1.31) for the fiber-matrix bond, and a reduction in water absorption rate up to 74.7%. Tensile tests were performed on both raw and treated fibers, and the results showed that the fiber treated with 5% NaOH had higher tensile strength (321 MPa) and tensile stiffness (8.4 GPa). A large variability of mechanical properties with fiber diameter was observed. The two-parameter Weibull model was used to quantify the degree of dispersion of the mechanical properties of the fibers. A low dispersion for the fibers treated at 5% was observed, compared to those treated at 3% and 8%. These results compared to plant fibers from the literature show that it is relevant to recommend for NA fibers a surface treatment with 5% NaOH for the reinforcement of composites.

Biobased Polymer Composites: A Review

Global environmental concerns, as well as the rapid depletion of non-renewable fossil fuel-based resources, have prompted research into the development of sustainable, environmentally friendly, and biodegradable materials for use in a variety of high-end applications. To mitigate the environmental setbacks caused by nonbiodegradable materials, the development of biocomposites with improved mechanical performance is gradually gaining momentum. Natural fibers such as hemp, flax, and sisal have been well incorporated into biocomposite development. Nonetheless, the impact of functional moieties in their life cycle cannot be underestimated. In this review paper, a detailed discussion of the characteristics and components of biocomposites is presented. The treatment of composite materials (alkali and acetylation), as well as several manufacturing processes (hand layup, 3D printing, extrusion, etc.) and the applications of biocomposites, which are not limited to the aerospace industry, packaging, biomedicine, etc., are presented. Biocomposites with excellent durability, performance, serviceability, and reliability must be produced to expand their applications.

Thermal and Mechanical Characterization of Coir Fibre–Reinforced Polypropylene Biocomposites

In recent years, the growth of environmental awareness has increased the interest in the development of biocomposites which are sustainable materials with an excellent price–performance ratio and low weight. The current study aimed to obtain and characterize the biocomposites prepared by thermoforming using coir fibres as reinforcing material and polypropylene as matrix. The biocomposites were produced with different coir fibres/polypropylene ratios and were characterized by physical–mechanical indices, thermal analysis, crystallinity, attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and chromatic measurements. Both tensile and bending strength of biocomposites decreased when the coir fibre content increased. The melting temperature of biocomposite materials has decreased with the increase of the coir fibre loading. Regarding the thermal stability, the weight loss and degradation temperature increased with decreasing coir fibre content. The ATR-FTIR and SEM analyses underlined the modifications that took place in the structure of the biocomposites by modifying the coir fibres/matrix ratio.

Peanut shell from agricultural wastes as a sustainable filler for polyamide biocomposites fabrication

ObjectiveNatural fibers reinforcements have gained increasing attention for the development of biocomposites thanks to their biodegradability and renewability. The search for natural-based reinforcements that improve the biodegradation of plastics while maintaining their physicochemical and mechanical properties is a never-ending task. Herein, we report the preparation of new biocomposites based on polyamide 6 (PA6) matrix and peanut shell powder (PSP) reinforcement. MethodologyThe biobased composites were prepared by incorporating different amounts of PSP, from 5% to 20% by weight, and then characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscope (MEB). ResultsResults showed that the addition of PSP did not affect the density of PA6. Its crystallinity was unaffected by the addition of 5%, 10%, and 15% of PSP, while it slightly decreases after the addition of 20% PSP. All analyses showed that the matrix kept its structure after adding a PSP concentration up to 15%, while a higher amount resulted in a new structure. ConclusionResults of the present work might open a new way towards the development of efficient biocomposites through the valorization of natural fibers.

A spatial distribution effect of almond shell bio filler on physical, mechanical, thermal deflection and water absorption properties of vinyl ester polymer composite

AbstractThe present work deals with the effective utilization of almond shell bio‐waste fillers in the production of vinyl ester polymer composites. The almond shell particle surface was chemically modified by alkaline treatment. The almond shell particles with varying weight percentages of 5%–30% were used to prepare the vinyl ester polymer composite. The experimental results show that a 25% addition of alkaline‐treated almond shell particles significantly improved the mechanical properties of the composite when compared to pure vinyl ester and untreated almond‐filled composite samples. The highest tensile, flexural, impact strength, and Shore D hardness of the 25% alkaline‐treated almond shell composite were 54, 142 MPa, 31, and 79 kJ/m2, respectively. This was due to the alkaline treatment of almond shell particles, which improved the interfacial adhesion between the vinyl ester matrix and almond particles. The heat deflection temperature of the 25% alkaline treated almond shell particle‐filled vinyl ester matrix composite was 72°C. The thermal insulating characteristics of alkali‐treated almond shells were improved due to the reduction of quickly thermal degradable materials such as hemicelluloses and lignin, as indicated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic data, and more exposure of minerals to the surface, as confirmed by energy dispersive X‐ray analysis. The addition of alkaline‐treated almond shell particles improves the characteristics of the vinyl ester matrix and allows the development of biocomposites.

Sustainable Value Chain of Industrial Biocomposite Consumption: Influence of COVID-19 and Consumer Behavior

The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most unprecedented crises of recent decades with a global effect on society and the economy. It has triggered changes in the behavior and consumption patterns of both final consumer and industrial consumers. The consumption patterns of industrial consumers are also influenced by changes in consumer values, environmental regulations, and technological developments. One of the technological highlights of the last decade is biocomposite materials being increasingly used by the packaging industry. The pandemic has highlighted the problems and challenges of the development of biocomposites to adapt to new market conditions. This study aims to investigate the industrial consumption of biocomposite materials and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the main stages of the value chain of sustainable industrial consumption of biocomposites. The research results reveal there is a growing interest in the use of biocomposites. Suppliers and processors of raw materials are being encouraged to optimize and adapt cleaner production processes in the sustainable transition pathway. The study highlights the positive impact of COVID-19 on the feedstock production, raw material processing, and packaging manufacturing stages of the value chain as well as the neutral impact on the product manufacturing stage and negative impact on the retail stage. The companies willing to move toward the sustainable industrial chain have to incorporate economic, environmental, social, stakeholder, volunteer, resilience, and long-term directions within their strategies.

Computer Simulations of Deep Eutectic Solvents: Challenges, Solutions, and Perspectives.

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are one of the most rapidly evolving types of solvents, appearing in a broad range of applications, such as nanotechnology, electrochemistry, biomass transformation, pharmaceuticals, membrane technology, biocomposite development, modern 3D-printing, and many others. The range of their applicability continues to expand, which demands the development of new DESs with improved properties. To do so requires an understanding of the fundamental relationship between the structure and properties of DESs. Computer simulation and machine learning techniques provide a fruitful approach as they can predict and reveal physical mechanisms and readily be linked to experiments. This review is devoted to the computational research of DESs and describes technical features of DES simulations and the corresponding perspectives on various DES applications. The aim is to demonstrate the current frontiers of computational research of DESs and discuss future perspectives.

Natural Fiber-Reinforced Polycaprolactone Green and Hybrid Biocomposites for Various Advanced Applications.

Recent developments within the topic of biomaterials has taken hold of researchers due to the mounting concern of current environmental pollution as well as scarcity resources. Amongst all compatible biomaterials, polycaprolactone (PCL) is deemed to be a great potential biomaterial, especially to the tissue engineering sector, due to its advantages, including its biocompatibility and low bioactivity exhibition. The commercialization of PCL is deemed as infant technology despite of all its advantages. This contributed to the disadvantages of PCL, including expensive, toxic, and complex. Therefore, the shift towards the utilization of PCL as an alternative biomaterial in the development of biocomposites has been exponentially increased in recent years. PCL-based biocomposites are unique and versatile technology equipped with several importance features. In addition, the understanding on the properties of PCL and its blend is vital as it is influenced by the application of biocomposites. The superior characteristics of PCL-based green and hybrid biocomposites has expanded their applications, such as in the biomedical field, as well as in tissue engineering and medical implants. Thus, this review is aimed to critically discuss the characteristics of PCL-based biocomposites, which cover each mechanical and thermal properties and their importance towards several applications. The emergence of nanomaterials as reinforcement agent in PCL-based biocomposites was also a tackled issue within this review. On the whole, recent developments of PCL as a potential biomaterial in recent applications is reviewed.

Comparative investigation of the influence of stone-dust particles and bagasse fiber on the mechanical and physical properties of reinforced recycled high-density polyethylene bio-composites

One of the main purposes of this research is to control environmental pollution and mitigate the impact of ignorantly discarded waste plastics in the environment through recycling of such plastics and using them to develop innovative composite materials. The present work investigates the influence of stone-dust particles and bagasse fiber on the mechanical and physical properties of reinforced recycled high-density polyethylene bio-composites. The bagasse fiber was first treated with 0.5 m NaOH solution at a temperature of 50°C for 2 h in order to improve the surface morphology and also modified the mechanical properties of the fiber. Likewise, the stone-dust particles were analyzed by using a standard sieve shaker to obtain particle sizes of 75 μm. Both reinforcements were used for composite development through the compression molding technique and the samples were subjected to mechanical and physical properties tests in accordance with standards. Analysis of the results revealed that flexural, hardness, wear, and hydrophobicity of the developed bio-composites were improved by stone-dust particles. The flexural strength at peak and modulus were enhanced by 88% and 92%, respectively. Also, it was discovered that, tensile, impact and thermal conductivity properties of the bio-composites were improved by bagasse fiber. The ultimate tensile strength and Young’s modulus were enhanced by 43% and 34%, respectively. Hence, the blend of these by-products showed that they are potential bio-materials for the development of bio-composites.

Propolis green biofilm for the immobilization of carbon nanotubes and metallic ions: Development of redox catalysts

• A new green thin biofilm based on propolis is proposed. • The propolis biofilm has presented high-capacity to immobilize CNTs. • The biocomposite has increased the electrical conductivity of the base electrode. • A green electrochemical device was used for synthesis of catalysts. Greener materials have been used in the construction of electrochemical devices, becoming one of the main strands of this scientific development area. Thin films based on natural and renewable sources, such as propolis, allow the development of biocomposites. Hence, we have proposed the use of a thin film based on propolis for the stable and homogeneous immobilization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which increased the electrical conductivity of the base electrode (glassy carbon electrode) by almost 500 thousand times. The CNTs/propolis biofilm proportion was optimized by multivariate analysis, providing a decrease in the number of experiments, the demand for reagents, and analysis time. The biocomposite thin film was used for the spontaneous preconcentration and anchoring of metal ions, and the electrochemical synthesis of redox mediators and catalysts. This qualifies the proposed strategies for the development of eco-friendly electrochemical devices.

Development of Bio-Composites with Enhanced Antioxidant Activity Based on Poly(lactic acid) with Thymol, Carvacrol, Limonene, or Cinnamaldehyde for Active Food Packaging.

The new trend in food packaging films is to use biodegradable or bio-based polymers, such as poly(lactic acid), PLA with additives such as thymol, carvacrol, limonene or cinnamaldehyde coming from natural resources (i.e., thyme, oregano, citrus fruits and cinnamon) in order to extent foodstuff shelf-life and improve consumers’ safety. Single, triple and quadruple blends of these active compounds in PLA were prepared and studied using the solvent-casting technique. The successful incorporation of the active ingredients into the polymer matrix was verified by FTIR spectroscopy. XRD and DSC data revealed that the crystallinity of PLA was not significantly affected. However, the Tg of the polymer decreased, verifying the plasticization effect of all additives. Multicomponent mixtures resulted in more intense plasticization. Cinnamaldehyde was found to play a catalytic role in the thermal degradation of PLA shifting curves to slightly lower temperatures. Release of thymol or carvacrol from the composites takes place at low rates at temperatures below 100 °C. A combined diffusion-model was found to simulate the experimental release profiles very well. Higher antioxidant activity was noticed when carvacrol was added, followed by thymol and then cinnamaldehyde and limonene. From the triple-component composites, higher antioxidant activity measured in the materials with thymol, carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde.

Mechanical performance of hybrid glass/kenaf epoxy composite filled with organomodified nanoclay

As increasing environmental awareness drives the development of biocomposites, the reality is that these material are still far behind in terms of application. While modifications on biocomposites do improve its properties, they are often conducted individually per study and not altogether, which may limit its potential. To expand the marketability of biocomposites, this research covers the hybridization of natural and synthetic fibre, reinforcement of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) treated kenaf fibre, reinforcement of organomodified nanoclay, and the use of modified epoxy in the production of the biocomposite. The dispersion of nanoclay in modified epoxy was conducted via sonication while the selected composite fabrication method is hand lay-up. In the flexural test, treated kenaf composites increase by 52% in flexural strength and 46% in flexural modulus, while treated nanocomposites improve by 83% in impact absorbed energy. The rough surface of treated kenaf and fractured composite surface can be seen using a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), indicating high interfacial adhesion in treated kenaf composites. Spectroscopy investigation utilising Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) revealed that hemicellulose is easier to be removed with alkalization compared to lignin. X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD) displays higher crystallinity in nanocomposites due to nanoclay.

Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Sugarcane Bagasse Pyrolyzed Biochar Reinforced Polyvinyl Alcohol Biocomposite Films

Biochar obtained from the oxygen-deficient thermochemical processing of organic wastes is considered to be an effective reinforcing agent in biocomposite development. In the present research, biocomposite film was prepared using sugarcane bagasse pyrolyzed biochar and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and its electrical and mechanical properties were assessed. The biocomposite films were produced by varying content (5 wt.%, 8 wt.% and 12 wt.%) of the biochar produced at 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C and 1000 °C and characterized using X-Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The experimental findings revealed that biochar produced at a higher pyrolyzing temperature could significantly improve the electrical conductance of the biocomposite film. A maximum electrical conductance of 7.67 × 10−2 S was observed for 12 wt.% addition of biochar produced at 1000 °C. A trend of improvement in the electrical properties of the biocomposite films suggested a threshold wt.% of the biochar needed to make a continuous conductive network across the biocomposite film. Rapid degradation of tensile strength was observed with an increasing level of biochar dosage. The lowest tensile strength 3.12 MPa was recorded for the film with 12 wt.% of biochar produced at 800 °C. Pyrolyzing temperature showed a minor impact on the mechanical strength of the biocomposite. The prepared biocomposites could be used as an electrically conductive layer in electronic devices.

A comprehensive review of renewable and sustainable biosourced carbon through pyrolysis in biocomposites uses: Current development and future opportunity

Highly order-structured carbon-based materials such as graphite, graphene, and carbon nanotubes hold promise in delivering the next generation of carbon-based advanced composite materials due to their superior performance in many applications. Recently, partially graphitic biosourced carbon (BioC) has shown to be a new, sustainable, inexpensive and practical alternative carbonaceous functional filler for polymer and biocomposite development (i.e. thermoplastic, thermoset, elastomer and foam). The thermochemical conversion of different types of biomass in a limited oxygen environment (pyrolysis) can be controlled and optimized to produce engineered BioCs with tunable surface area, morphology, polarity, porosity, intrinsic modulus and carbon content, which are being explored in different applications. Renewable BioCs exhibit variable surface chemistry that can be further modified to achieve better compatibility with polymers. BioC can be used as a reinforcing agent and as a multi-functional filler (e.g. electrical conductivity, antimicrobial, fire retardant, etc.) for polymer composite uses, which opens a new generation of biobased composite materials in the commercial market. This article provides an in-depth review of the current state-of-the-art fabrication, characterization, and performance of the BioC-based biocomposites. Further, the effect of the different synthesized BioCs on the polymers’ behavior and performance are reviewed in-depth. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives for these BioC-based biocomposites are discussed.

Aero-structural numerical analysis of a blended wing body unmanned aerial vehicle using a jute-based composite material

Research and development of biocomposites for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) structures have become relevant throughout the last decade, due to their cost and lightweight accompanied with good mechanical properties. Moreover, Blended Wing Body configurations (BWB) have aroused special interest, because of their aerodynamic efficiency, manufacturing simplicity and increased fuel economy. In this context, the present study investigates the strength distribution in a semi-monocoque structure of a blended wing body UAV using a composite material based on pre-load jute fibers. For this aim, a three-dimensional numerical simulation with a unidirectional fluid–solid coupling is implemented in a steady analysis at cruise conditions. The air pressure distribution is calculated using computational fluids dynamics (CFD), which then incorporates the aerodynamic loads within the structural module and using finite element method (FEM) determines the static stress distribution and deformation. The properties and manufacturing characteristics of jute-based composite material used in the numerical analysis were incorporated in the analysis and the numerical model was validated against experimental data. Based on the comparison between the structure built by pre-load jute fibers-based composite material and EPO foam, the results show that the proposed material reduces the deformation in 65% and performs better mechanically.

Application of Bacterial Cellulose in the Textile and Shoe Industry: Development of Biocomposites

Several studies report the potential of bacterial cellulose (BC) in the fashion and leather industries. This work aimed at the development of BC-based composites containing emulsified acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) that are polymerized with the redox initiator system hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and L-ascorbic acid and ferrous sulfate as a catalyst. BC was fermented under static culture. The polymerization of the emulsified organic droplets was tested before and after their incorporation into BC by exhaustion. The composites were then finished with an antimicrobial agent (benzalkonium chloride) and dyed. The obtained composites were characterized in terms of wettability, water vapor permeability (WVP), mechanical, thermal and antimicrobial properties. When AESO emulsion was polymerized prior to the exhaustion process, the obtained composites showed higher WVP, tensile strength and thermal stability. Meanwhile, post-exhaustion polymerized AESO conferred the composite higher hydrophobicity and elongation. The composites finished with the antimicrobial agent showed activity against S. aureus. Finally, intense colors were obtained more uniformly when they were incorporated simultaneously with the emulsified AESO with all the dyes tested.

Surface Modifications of Natural Fibers for use in Preparation of Biocomposites

This century has observed unusual improvements in green materials through the development of biocomposites due to anxieties about the atmosphere and sustainability issues. These biocomposites can be effectively disposed of at the final existence without harming the environment, which is impossible with man-made fiber-based polymer composites. The natural fiber is not a problem-free option, and they maintain some shortfall features that are the considerable moisture assimilation and very anisotropicity. This review paper intends to give a short outline of various surface modification methods to improve the fiber–matrix adhesion influencing the significant enhancement of the mechanical properties of the biocomposites.