The production of new thermally insulating composite materials from solid residues such as charcoal from sugarcane bagasse (CSB) is of great importance because it takes advantage of materials that might otherwise pollute the environment. Therefore, for this study, we obtained composite materials based on a portland cement (CPC-30R) matrix and CSB particles with a 4 : 1 water-cement ratio and CSB concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15% by weight. The thermal conductivities of these materials were characterized following ASTM guideline C177, their CSB morphological properties were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their compositions were determined using energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results show that the composite materials have reduced thermal conductivities. The metallic oxide percentage composition of the CSB was also determined. It was observed that there was a reduction in thermal conductivity when CSB was used as compared to 100% CPC-30R, and the influence of the CSB concentration on thermal conductivity was measured.
In this study, a novel hybrid material based on Polyvinyl Alcohol-Chitosan (PVA-Chi) was made, reinforced with conductive fillers such as the polypyrrole (PPy), Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS), carbon black (CB), and multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT). In order to observe the mechanical and electrical responses of this composite material, for obtaining composite materials, and to characterize them for the development of applications in engineering, FTIR analysis made clear the different functional groups present in the matrix and the fillers used. Using quaternary mixtures (4 fillers) increased the contact angle, which increased hydrophobicity of the biocomposite. The Nyquist diagram of the analyzed samples showed a decrease in resistance and energy diffusion; the latter because of transferring electrons caused by the conductive polymers CB and the MWCNT. In the mechanical tension tests, Young’s modulus values of 18.386 MPa were obtained, in contrast with the material matrix of PVA-Chi, which showed values of 11.628 MPa. Morphological analysis by SEM showed the materials got were homogeneous. The materials got showed higher electrical conductivity in the OH’s presence and NH2 groups, which could have possible applications in biopolymer electrodes.
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