Composites from northern red oak (Quercus robur) leaves and plant oil‐based resins

Abstract

Composite materials were successfully made out of plant oil-based resin and northern red oak (Quercus robur) leaves collected in the fall. The viscosities of the bio-based resins (MAESO and MAELO) were suited to high temperature resin transfer molding (RTM) and vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) processing. The leaves have a waxy epidermal surface layer that needs to be dewaxed prior to use in a composite part. We used different treatments (such as benzene-ethanol, boiling water, and strong detergent) to dewax the leaves; all three methods seem to give good results; but boiling water and strong detergent were considered the best treatments for the dewaxing of leaves and boiling water was considered the greenest dewaxing method. The compatibility between the resin and the leaves was improved with a silane treatment which resulted in composites with higher mechanical stiffness than the resin itself. With 10 wt % leaves, we obtained an improvement in the composite modulus of about 14% from which we could estimate the leaf modulus at about 5.3 GPa. An alternative method to produce biocomposites from leaves without the need for silane treatments consists in carbonizing the leaves first at 215 C for 12 h, and then at 450 C for 1 h. The composites made with leaves and bioresins derived from functionalized triglycerides have the potential for use in high volume applications with low costs such as housing, construction, civil infrastructure, toys, and furniture. The use of leaves as a biocomposite filler has several advantages including (a) reduced cost, (b) improved properties of the resin, (c) composites with high bio content, (d) removal of a waste material with subsequent prevention of burning with attendant health hazards, and (e) interesting design aesthetics for interior and exterior decoration.

Utilization of New Activated Carbon Derived from Oak Leaves for Removal of Crystal Violet from Aqueous Solution

“…In addition, the piles of leaves also create a potential fire hazard that can damage hundreds of hectares of woods annually, and release gases as well as large plumes of black smoke and other contaminants into the atmosphere. It was reported that in the United States some 30 million tons of leaves are collected and burned every year [17].…”

The potential for using the sycamore (Platus orientalis) leaves in manufacturing particleboard

“…Fresh leaf yields of 40 ton/ha/year (nearly 10 tons of dry matter) have been reported for some species in Costa Rica (Espinoza et al 1999). In the forest, leaves fall on to the ground and can be both beneficial (become food for numerous soil organisms vital to the forest ecosystem (Campanella et al 2013) or detrimental [ignition point in wildfires (Ozkaya et al 2013) and soil metal concentration concerns (Heckman and Kluchinski 1996). Foliage biomass, fuel depth, fuel bulk density, and foliage retention are of important indices in prediction of fire behavior properties in forests (Bilgili 2003).…”

“…Foliage biomass, fuel depth, fuel bulk density, and foliage retention are of important indices in prediction of fire behavior properties in forests (Bilgili 2003). In cities and towns, leaves are predominantly considered a waste; they are collected and burned and in rare cases are composted (Campanella et al 2013) and in villages usually are used by farmers as a ruminant roughage source for cows (Ozkaya et al 2013). Only in the United States, there are 30 million tons of leaves that are collected and burned every year (Campanella et al 2013).…”

“…In cities and towns, leaves are predominantly considered a waste; they are collected and burned and in rare cases are composted (Campanella et al 2013) and in villages usually are used by farmers as a ruminant roughage source for cows (Ozkaya et al 2013). Only in the United States, there are 30 million tons of leaves that are collected and burned every year (Campanella et al 2013). In some countries, burning of leaves in populated areas as well as municipal leaf deposal in sanitary landfills are prohibited (Heckman and Kluchinski 1996).…”

“…In some countries, burning of leaves in populated areas as well as municipal leaf deposal in sanitary landfills are prohibited (Heckman and Kluchinski 1996). They tend to burn slowly and consequently generating large amounts of airborne particulates (fine bits of dust, soot, and other solid materials); they can cause health problems and may also contain hazardous chemicals such as carbon monoxide (Campanella et al 2013).…”