Enhancing natural fiber-based polymeric composites with biochar filler particles derived from groundnut shell biomass waste

Sakthivel Sankaran, Geetha Palani, Yo Lun Yang, Herri Trilaksana

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Groundnut shells make up over 20% of the amount of weight of dried peanut pods. This causes a significant residue to form after processing, which increases with groundnut output and is usually discarded or burned. The effective use of these wastes can reduce their accumulation. This study investigates the incorporation of biochar derived produced from groundnut shells into sisal fiber-reinforced polyester composites at varying weight percentages (5wt.%, 10 wt.%, 15 wt.%, and 20 wt.%). Mechanical characterization encompassing tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness tests was conducted to evaluate composite properties. Water absorption of the composites was also tested. Results demonstrate that hybrid composites containing 15% wt. biochar, in conjunction with sisal fibers, exhibit superior mechanical properties compared to neat sisal fiber-reinforced polyester composites. Specifically, the addition of 15 wt.% biochar resulted in a maximum tensile strength of 46 MPa, hardness of 89, and impact strength of 36 J/m. However, a decrease in strength was observed beyond 15 wt.% wt. attributed to poor interface development and biochar particle agglomeration. Nonetheless, hybrid composites incorporating 20 wt.% biochar showed a peak flexural strength of 54 MPa. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing biochar derived from groundnut wastes as a filler material in composite development, offering promising opportunities for advancing sustainable materials. Furthermore, this research provides valuable insights into optimizing mechanical properties through innovative filler combinations, contributing to the ongoing evolution of eco-friendly and high-performance composite materials.

Original languageEnglish
JournalBiomass Conversion and Biorefinery
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2024

Keywords

  • Biochar
  • Groundnut shells
  • Sisal fibers

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