Eco-friendly Composite Materials Research Articles

Marine Waste as a Resource: Developing Bio-Epoxy Composites for a Sustainable Future

Biowastes from discarded fishscales and seashells are rich sources of natural polymers, such as collagen, keratin, and calcium carbonate, that can be used to produce eco-friendly and biodegradable polymer composites. Therefore, utilizing the biowastes for manufacturing polymer composite can offer significant economic, environmental, and social benefits. This experimental study explores the use of Biopoxy matrix (SR33) and fish scale and seashell powders derived from biowastes as filler reinforcements while the composites were manufactured through open mold stir casting technique. Thereafter, the fillers were extracted and processed from raw waste sources, and were characterized using XRD and FTIR analyses. Mechanical and physical properties, including density, water absorption, fracture morphology, flexural, tensile, impact strength, and hardness, were also evaluated to assess the composite's performance. Additionally, thermal properties were investigated through DSC and TGA analyses. Interestingly, the results revealed that green composites with fish scale fillers at 2.5 wt.% and seashell fillers at 7.5 wt.% exhibited superior performance captured through enhanced mechanical and thermal properties versus control composite samples, suggesting their efficacy in reinforcing the biopoxy matrix. The study underscores the potential of utilizing biowaste-derived fillers for sustainable and eco-friendly composite materials. The combination of biopoxy with these specific filler concentrations presents a promising avenue for developing green composites with favorable mechanical and thermal characteristics, contributing to the ongoing efforts for sustainable material development.

Lanthanum nanoparticle decorated carbon nanotubes: Facile method of synthesis and studies of their redox stability, cytotoxicity and corrosion inhibition on the magnesium alloy in 3.5 % NaCl environment

Functionalized carbon materials can act as high-temperature coatings and eco-friendly composite materials. We have studied lanthanum-doped carbon nanotube (La-CNT) material redox behavior, cytotoxicity, and corrosion inhibition efficiency. The La-CNT material has been characterized by different techniques to confirm the presence of functional groups. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman studies were performed to investigate the functional groups and carbon defects. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and tunneling electron microscopy (TEM) studies were used to investigate the carbon nanotube microstructure, La nanoparticles were shown to interact with the carbon nanotube surface. X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were used to confirm the crystallinity of composite material. Electrochemical methods were used to investigate corrosion inhibition and redox stabilities. After corrosion study on the Mg alloy its microstructure was analyzed to confirm the composite material inhibition efficiency. The composite material showed significant cytotoxicity, and corrosion inhibition efficiency was shown to be 82 % as compared with pristine epoxy-coated Mg alloy.XPS results are suggested that alloy oxide layer formed. The DFT study supported the experimental findings.

A Short Review on the Growth of Lightweight Agronomic Surplus Biomass Composites for Ecological Applications Using Biopolymers

The need to discover novel methods for creating sustainable materials is growing due to the depletion of the Earth's resources and increasing environmental concerns. Several studies have focused on the handling of agricultural waste in an attempt to mitigate the ecological issues associated with agricultural debris removal. Large volumes of agricultural waste are generated annually, posing a significant challenge from both ecological and financial perspectives. In alignment with the principles of a sustainable economy, such waste can be employed as supplementary ingredients to produce high-value goods. The utilization of organic waste from agriculture has become indispensable for the development of sustainable and lightweight biopolymer-based composites. This brief review delves into the expanding field of lightweight agronomic surplus biomass materials suitable for environmental applications. It places particular emphasis on the utilization of biopolymers in creating these materials. The study explores how agricultural waste biomass can be sustainably repurposed and transformed into eco-friendly composite materials. It examines the innovations, materials, and methods contributing to this ecological trend, with a focus on the potential environmental benefits. This review highlights the progress achieved in the development of these hybrids, drawing attention to the numerous ways in which environmentally friendly biopolymer-based materials can be utilized.

Synthesis of in-situ magnetized MOF-cellulose membranes for high-efficiency enrichment of diamide insecticides in vegetables and determination by LC-MS/MS

This study presents a novel, eco-friendly composite adsorbent material designed for the magnetic solid-phase extraction of diamide insecticides from vegetable samples. The membrane, denoted as Fe-MMm, was incorporated with a cellulose framework embedded with Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) magnetized with Fe3O4. This innovative material streamlined the conventional solid-phase extraction process, simplifying the sample pre-treatment. By combining it with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the method achieves significantly enhanced extraction efficiency through systematic optimization of experimental parameters, including adsorbent selection, pH, ionic strength, adsorption time, and elution time. The method had a wide linear range of 0.1–1000 ng/mL and an exceptionally low detection limit ranging from 0.023 to 0.035 ng/mL. The successful identification of diamide insecticides in vegetable samples underscores the potential of Fe-MMm as a robust material for sample pretreatment in analytical applications.

Adsorption of azo dyes and Naproxen by few-layer MXene immobilized with dialdehyde starch nanoparticles: Adsorption properties and statistical physics modeling

Novel Eco-friendly composite materials (DSP-M) were organized by combining few-layer MXene with the hydrophilic biomaterial dialdehyde starch nanoparticles (DASNP) and immobilizing DASNP on the surface of few-layer MXene by the dialdehyde-based cross-linking method. In addition to the study on the adsorption performance and mechanism of prohibited dyes (Rhodamine B, RB and Congo Red, CR) in food industry, the removal and mechanism of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (Naproxen, NPX) residues in pharmaceutical field were also investigated. DSP-M was physiochemically characterized via series of analytical techniques and the dye adsorption isotherms at three temperatures were quantified. The results show that DSP-M exhibited excellent adsorption performance for all three selected adsorbates, and the Langmuir maximum monolayer adsorption capacity were 678.19 mg/L for RB, 754.41 mg/L for CR and 166.71 mg/L for NPX, respectively, and it agreed well with the Langmuir, pseudo–second order and intraparticle diffusion models. The statistical physics model was employed to further explore the adsorptive mechanism. The characteristics of DSP-M after adsorption and the simulation results indicate that the removal of RB, CR and NPX by DSP-M was mainly a physical adsorption process involved with hydrogen bonding, electrostatic force and van der Waals force.

Sustainable Composites: A Review with Critical Questions to Guide Future Initiatives

Composites, which have become very common in mass-produced items, have the potential to outperform similar materials made from any one of their individual components. This tutorial review article considers published studies that shine a light on what is required for such structures to earn the name “sustainable”. The focus is on a series of questions that deal with such issues as the carbon footprint, other life-cycle impacts, durability, recyclability without major loss of value, reusability of major parts, and the practical likelihood of various end-of-life options. To achieve the needed broader impacts of limited research dollars, it is important that researchers choose their research topics carefully. Among a great many possible options for preparing truly eco-friendly composite materials, it will be important to focus attention on the much smaller subset of technologies that have a high probability of commercial success and large-scale implementation.

Infrared Imaging Analysis of Green Composite Materials during Inline Quasi-Static Flexural Test: Monitoring by Passive and Active Approaches.

Composite materials have been used for many years in a wide variety of sectors starting from aerospace and nautical up to more commonly used uses such as bicycles, glasses, and so on. The characteristics that have made these materials popular are mainly their low weight, resistance to fatigue, and corrosion. In contrast to the advantages, however, it should be noted that the manufacturing processes of composite materials are not eco-friendly, and their disposal is rather difficult. For these reasons, in recent decades, the use of natural fibers has gained increasing attention, allowing the development of new materials sharing the same advantages with conventional composite systems while respecting the environment. In this work, the behavior of totally eco-friendly composite materials during flexural tests has been studied through infrared (IR) analysis. IR imaging is a well-known non-contact technique and represents a reliable means of providing low-cost in situ analysis. According to this method, the surface of the sample under investigation is monitored, under natural conditions or after heating, by recording thermal images with an appropriate IR camera. Here, the results achieved for jute- and basalt-based eco-friendly composites through the use of both passive and active IR imaging approaches are reported and discussed, showing the possibilities of use also in an industrial environment.

Analysis of Elastic Properties of Al/PET Isotropic Composite Materials Using Finite Element Method.

This study uses the finite element method and numerical analysis to develop an eco-friendly composite material with shielding capabilities. A preliminary study was performed to predict the mechanical properties of the composite material. Polyethylene terephthalate and aluminum powder (AP) were selected as the matrix and enhancer, respectively. The particles of AP are spherical, with a diameter of 1 μm. Material properties were investigated as the AP volume fraction (VF) increased from 5-70%. The FEM results show that the physical properties for AP VFs improve by up to 40%, but there is no significant change in the elastic modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson's ratio at an AP VF of 50-70%. However, the numerical analysis models show that the elastic properties for AP VFs improve by up to 70%. The mechanical properties improved as the VF increased, and the FEM predicted values were reliable for VFs up to 40%. However, it was confirmed that 40% is the limit of AP VF in the FEM. In addition, the FEM and numerical analysis predictions showed that the most similar numerical analysis model was the Halpin-Tsai model. The predictions of the Halpin-Tsai model allowed prediction of the maximum VF above the FEM limit. If the correction coefficients of the FEM and numerical analysis models are derived based on the predictions of this study and future experimental results, reliable predictions can be obtained for the physical properties of composite materials.

Amazing Fungi for Eco-Friendly Composite Materials: A Comprehensive Review.

The continually expanding use of plastic throughout our world, along with the considerable increase in agricultural productivity, has resulted in a worrying increase in global waste and related environmental problems. The reuse and replacement of plastic with biomaterials, as well as the recycling of agricultural waste, are key components of a strategy to reduce plastic waste. Agricultural waste is characterized as lignocellulosic materials that mainly consist of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Saprobe fungi are able to convert agricultural waste into nutrients for their own growth and to facilitate the creation of mycelium-based composites (MBC) through bio-fabrication processes. Remarkably, different fungal species, substrates, and pressing and drying methods have resulted in varying chemical, mechanical, physical, and biological properties of the resulting composites that ultimately vary the functional aspects of the finished MBC. Over the last two decades, several innovative designs have produced a variety of MBC that can be applied across a range of industrial uses including in packaging and in the manufacturing of household items, furniture, and building materials that can replace foams, plastics, and wood products. Materials developed from MBC can be considered highly functional materials that offer renewable and biodegradable benefits as promising alternatives. Therefore, a better understanding of the beneficial properties of MBC is crucial for their potential applications in a variety of fields. Here, we have conducted a brief review of the current findings of relevant studies through an overview of recently published literature on MBC production and the physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological properties of these composites for use in innovative architecture, construction, and product designs. The advantages and disadvantages of various applications of mycelium-based materials (MBM) in various fields have been summarized. Finally, patent trends involving the use of MBM as a new and sustainable biomaterial have also been reviewed. The resulting knowledge can be used by researchers to develop and apply MBC in the form of eco-friendly materials in the future.

Utilization of Acacia Leaf Litter (Acacia Mangium) as an Eco-Friendly Composite Material

This study discusses the parameters of Acacia leaf litter fibers in environmentally friendly composite mixtures. This parameter is used as a reference for whether Acacia leaf litter fibers have the potential to be additives to composites. The composite sample used in this study was concrete. Acacia tree leaves are leaves that have strong fibers and high resistance. Acacia trees are trees that grow rapidly and can multiply rapidly throughout the annual season in the tropics. Acacia leaf litter fibers are used as additives to produce strong and environmentally friendly composites. Testing Acacia leaf litter fiber parameters in the form of particle distribution in samples and fiber tensile tests using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). ImageJ software carried out an analysis of the distribution of concrete constituent particles. From the analysis results, the average distribution of fine aggregate particles was 0,20 mm², coarse aggregates were 92.69 mm², and Acacia leaf fibers were 0.162 mm² for powder particles and 0.174 mm for thread-shaped particles (fiber diameter). The study results show that Acacia leaf fiber has a tensile test with a value of 6.38 kg/cm², which has good elasticity and durability so that it can be used as a composite mixture material.

Application of colloid-sand coating treated by a hydrophilic polysaccharide biopolymer material for topsoil stability control

Extensive efforts have been made to resist topsoil instability by enhancing the inter-particle cohesion for the loose structure and weak cohesion of natural sand. In this study, considering the ecological and environmental aspects, an eco-friendly composite material, namely, a hydrophilic polysaccharide biopolymer (HPB) binder, was employed for the topsoil stability. A series of laboratory tests and numerical simulations were conducted to explore the properties and cohesion mechanism of modified sand. The results indicated that the HPB could significantly improve the mechanical properties of the natural sand due to the strong inter-particle bond offered by the network membrane structure. The anti-erodibility of the modified sand was improved, and a capacity to resist erosion of the topsoil by the combined effects of surface covering, strong intergranular bonding connections, and tiny pore throats was observed. This binder provided an appropriate environment for vegetation growth and significantly decreased the erosion rates after vegetation was established. The modified slopes maintained long-term stability by the integrated system of the sand- biopolymer matrix and plant matter. This research can help in the analysis and application of modified technology to control topsoil failure..

Effect of Coir Fiber Reinforcement on Properties of Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer Composite

This study explored the use of coir fibers extracted from coconut husks, an agro-waste material that constitutes sanitation and environmental pollution problems, as a reinforcing element in the production of metakaolin-based geopolymer composites with improved properties. A series of sample formulations were produced with varying coir fiber content (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 percent weight of metakaolin powder). The investigation was conducted using a 10 M NaOH alkaline solution with a 0.24 NaOH:Na2SiO3 mass ratio. Samples were cured for 28 days and tested for bulk density, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and compressive and flexural strength. Microstructural examinations such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also performed on samples. Compressive strength values up to 21.25 N/mm2 at 0.5% fiber content and flexural strength values up to 10.39 N/mm2 at 1% fiber content were achieved in this study. The results obtained showed a decreasing bulk density of geopolymer samples (2113 kg/m3 to 2045 kg/m3) with increasing coir fiber content. The geopolymer samples had UPV values varying from 2315 m/s to 2717 m/s. Coir fiber with 0.5–1.0% fiber content can be incorporated into metakaolin-based geopolymers to produce eco-friendly composite materials with improved mechanical properties for sustainable development.

Magnetically separable Fe-base deposited on different carbon sources for ultrasound/persulfate-like heterogeneous activation: Optimized synthesis and field driving process

The eco-friendly composite materials, micro-nano Fe-base/glucose-derived hydro-chars (Feb/HCs), were prepared, whose magnetic separation can be achieved in both preparation and water treatment stages. The performances of Feb/HCs after N2 heat-treatment to activate persulfate, chlorite, hydrogen peroxide, etc., in ultrasound field, obtained great improvement by extracting “O”. For comparison, other different sized and magnetic iron-carbon based composites based on different carbon sources of activated carbons, cornstalk-derived bio-chars, and glucose-derived pyrolytic carbons were prepared and applied to systematically compare the performance of activation. The Feb/HCs with optimizing preparation were utilized as activators to well treat different structures (triphenylmethane-, azo-, and xanthene-) contaminants. The detected p-Benzoquinone and 2-chloro-p-Benzoquinone could be considered as transitional and characteristic intermediates from carbocyclic compounds to chain compounds. The degradation mechanisms were evoked by pH and absorption to trigger via free/non-free radicals processes: high valence iron-oxo species, sulfate radicals, hydroxyl radicals, Cl-based substances, etc. The findings contrastively provided the potential applications of magnetically separable iron-carbon based composites for heterogeneous activation in environmental remediation.

Recent Developments in Natural Fiber as Reinforcement in Polymeric Composites: A Review

In recent years, research on replacing manufactured fibers such as glass fibers with natural fibers as reinforcement in polymeric composites has increased rapidly. Natural fibers are an important by-product with many advantages such as abundance, biodegradability, flexibility during processing, minimal health hazards, relatively high tensile and flexural modulus, low density, low cost, and recyclability. Although natural fibers possess many advantages, as mentioned above, they suffer from some drawbacks while used in polymer matrix composites. Therefore, it is necessary to modify the fiber surface by suitable chemical treatment. The fibers had to be treated with sodium hydroxide to improve the interfacial adhesion between the fiber and the matrix, which optimized the mechanical and physical properties of these composites. Maleic anhydride was added to the composites to improve fiber composite compatibility and also to improve the properties of the composites. The main objective of this review, study the different properties of a cost-effective and eco-friendly composite material. This material consisting of natural fiber as the reinforcing component and polymeric materials as the matrix. In this review, the effects of natural fiber content, alkali treatment, and the addition of coupling agent on the composite properties were performed.

Fabrication and characterization of eco-friendly composite materials from natural animal fibers

A large amount of useless portion, which is discharging from leather industries, pollutes the environment immensely. The discarded part needs to be recycled to yield other valuable products to subside environmental pollution. In this research, we utilized a rejected part (cow hair) of leather industries and unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) to fabricate valued composites to confine atmospheric pollution. A hand-lay-up technique, which is an easy and economical approach, was employed for composites fabrication. A number of cow hair fiber percentages (2, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, and 20% by weight) were taken into consideration to investigate the impact of fiber loading on composites. Prepared composites were characterized by a few mechanical properties such as tensile strength (TS), tensile modulus (TM), elongation at break (EB), bending strength (BS), and bending modulus (BM). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Electron Scanning Microscopy (SEM), and water absorption were also performed to support the data in favor of mechanical properties. Optimum mechanical properties which were supported by the other analysis were achieved for 5% cow hair containing composites.

Fabrication and Characterisation of PP/TS Biocomposites

Biocomposites are eco-friendly composite materials formed by the combination of any polymer matrix and the reinforcement of any natural fiber. This particular composite is gaining more attention in research field in order to reduce the utilization of inorganic fillers in the reinforcement of thermoplastics and biodegradable plastics. In this study, we used various amounts of turmeric spent (TS) viz, 5%, 7%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% (w/w) for the fabrication of Polypropylene/TS composites. These various composition mixtures are blended and melt on a Haake mixer, then it is placed over a compression mould of 2mm thickness and forms composite films of different composition. The developed composites were characterized using different techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, contact angle measurement and water absorption. SEM images clearly shows the presence of TS content in biocomposites. From contact angle measurement, it is clear that the 7% PP/TS composite shows better hydrophobic nature. From absorption measurement technique, the higher composition samples show better absorption capacity due to the presence of OH-group within the turmeric spent.

Mechanical and physical properties of polyethylene/sour cherry shell powder bio-composite as potential food packaging.

Eco‐friendly composite materials have received more attention in recent years, and research has shown that biostructures have great potential as a solution to meet the needs of sustainability in product design and potential food packaging. In this study, the mechanical, thermal, morphological, water absorption properties and water vapor permeability of bio‐composites based on polyethylene and sour cherry shell powder (SCS) (0% –7.5%) have been investigated. It was observed that 2.5% of sour cherry shell increased elastic modulus and tensile strength and improved mechanical properties. Composites without adding sour cherry shell show 1.28% water absorption. Decreased water absorption was observed for treated composites containing 2.5% of sour cherry shell, and its amount was 1.26%. The presence of sour cherry shell increased the bio‐composite resistance to moisture absorption, but the addition had little effect on the thermal process properties of polyethylene. Vapor permeability in sour cherry shell / polyethylene bio‐composites, which was a significant difference between samples with sour cherry shells (2.5%–7.5%) and samples without sour cherry shells. Results indicated that polyethylene/sour cherry shell composites could be used to replace polyethylene in application such as stretch film, shrink film, and bags of fruit.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AND FLEXURAL RIGIDITY OF EPOXY GRANITE COMPOSITE MATERIAL

In Egypt, large quantities of coarse granite wastes are produced annually during the quarrying operations of granite rocks. This waste represents a potentially useful source of material for a variety of applications such as a filler material in epoxy granite composite material. In this work a new eco-friendly composite material studied as a substitute for machine tools traditional materials, like cast iron, to produce better efficiency with lower cost. This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties of granite epoxy composite by using the local epoxy (kemapoxy 150) and the granite residues in the Egyptian quarries. The investigated processing variable was epoxy content, and the mechanical characterization ware carried out by compressive and flexural tests according to the ASTM standard method B. Commercially available, Aswan red granite was procured, crushed, and sieved to three size ranges from 0.150 to 8 mm, respectively. Epoxy ratios of 80:20, 85:15 have been used with granite aggregate size mix with small, medium, and coarse size proportions of 50:25:25 respectively for preparing the specimens with granite granular size range (0.150-8) mm. The results show that Epoxy granite composite with granite to epoxy ratio of 80:20% wt. induced the highest compressive strength (72.15 MPa) while the composite with the ratio of 85:15% wt. induced the highest flexural strength (20.1 MPa). Epoxy granite composite show superior results with respect to cement concrete, polyester concrete, and natural granite.

Application of waste products of crop processing in the production of building materials for agricultural facilities

The article examines the use of waste from the crop-growing branch of agriculture in the manufacture of eco-friendly composite materials used in the reconstruction, modernization and construction of objects of the agro-industrial complex (AIC). As fillers for the manufacture of composite construction and finishing materials, waste products from the processing of agricultural crops of plant origin, such as fiber-like particles obtained from the straw of annual plants and remaining after harvesting raw cotton in the form of cotton stalks, are proposed.

Optimization Sugarcane and Paddy Waste as Bio-Composite Material to Absorb Impact Force

Agricultural waste such as sugarcane and paddy are common during harvesting to production process. Sometimes they burned after the harvest process, as consequently the environmental problem got multiply. Demand for Composite Material got inflate recently, because they are lighter and stronger than Polyethylene Plastic. Filler in composite materials is expensive and requires precise design. The aim of this research is to create cheap and eco-friendly composite materials, besides raised value of agricultural waste. The composite material using sugarcane bagasse as fibre, paddy chaff powder applied as filler and polyester resin as matrix. In this study, we varied the fibre direction with composition of sugarcane bagasse and paddy chaff powder. In this research fibre direction has three levels they are 0, 45 and 90 degrees. Composition between sugarcane bagasse, paddy chaff powder and polyester resin ratio has three levels they are 15:15:70, 12.5:12.5:75 and 10:10:80. ANOVA test shown fibre direction has significant influence to ability of the material to absorb impact energy 78.14 percent than fibre composition 12.10 percent. The highest impact absorb value is 0.3 degrees Joule on composition ratio paddy chaff: sugarcane: polyester resin is 15:15:70 and 45 degrees fibre direction.