Bio-Based Composites from Industrial By-products and Wastes as Raw Materials

Abstract

Innovative bio-based composites combining humins as biorefinery by-product with keratin or lignin as wastes or industrial side-products were developed. The bio-composites were prepared using three types of matrix formulations allowing the synthesis of elastic to rigid thermosets. These matrices were combined with chicken feathers powder, non-woven chicken feathers mat or lignin to produce bio-composites. A maximum quantity of bio-fillers was used, around 10 wt.%. The effect of the bio-fillers on the matrix’s crosslinking was studied by rheology and DSC. Then, the obtained materials were analyzed by TGA, DMA, tensile tests, water absorption and SEM. The results show a very good compatibility of the humins matrix with the bio-fillers, without any preliminary modification of the matrix, that is exceptional for the point of view of a composite. The overall performances of the neat matrix were maintained or improved through the composites. Therefore, bio-composites with potentially interesting thermal and mechanical properties have been synthesized. In the case of the elastic ductile matrix the Young’s modulus value was improved from 1 to 22 MPa, while for the rigid matrix the increase was from 106 to 443 or 667 MPa, in the case of composites with non-woven chicken feathers mat or lignin. To our knowledge this is the first study combining humins matrix with keratin. The obtained bio-composites are sustainable materials linked via the used raw materials to the circular economy and biomass valorization.

Sustainable Composites From Nature to Construction. Hemp and Linseed Reinforced Biocomposites Based on Biobased Epoxy Resins

“…There are several technologies allowing the production of thermoset composite materials such as pultrusion, resin transfer moulding or liquid resin infusion (LRI), among many others [37]. LRI was chosen since it is versatile from a technological point of view, and for its economic feasibility allowing to obtain a product that will be high competitive in the market.…”

“…Another relevant compound used in this study, a biorefinery derived side-product, are the humins, which are generated in the production of furandicarboxylic acid) [37][38][39][40]. Humins are composed mainly of aromatic rings, containing different functionalities varying in function of biorefinery processing: aldehydes, hydroxyls, carboxylic and ketones.…”

“…These reactive groups make the humins promising building block and an important compound for the development of thermosetting resins . [30,37,38,40,41,42 ].…”

Sustainable Composites from Nature to Construction: Hemp and Linseed Reinforced Biocomposites Based on Bio-Based Epoxy Resins

“…Another relevant compound used in this study is a biorefinery-derived side-product: humins, which are generated in the production of furandicarboxylic acid [ 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ]. Humins are mainly composed of aromatic rings, containing different functionalities which vary depending on the biorefinery processing: aldehydes, hydroxyls, carboxylic and ketones.…”

“…Humins are mainly composed of aromatic rings, containing different functionalities which vary depending on the biorefinery processing: aldehydes, hydroxyls, carboxylic and ketones. These reactive groups make the humins a promising building block and an important compound for the development of thermoset resins [ 37 , 44 , 45 , 47 , 48 , 49 ].…”