Effect of incorporation of microstructured carbonized cellulose on surface and mechanical properties of epoxy composites

Abstract

In this study, we reported the use of cellulose derived microstructured biochars for the production of reinforced plastics. Cellulose nanocrystals and wasted cotton fibers were used as cellulose template structures and converted into carbonaceous materials under pyrolytic conditions. Biochars particles were produced with the shape of deformed spheres or rods and dispersed into an epoxy matrix with a loading ranging from 1 wt % to 10 wt %. Biochar-based composites showed remarkably elongation properties of up to 8.2% using 2 wt % of carbonized cellulose nanocrystals and a very low friction coefficient of 0.22 using 10 wt % of carbonized cotton fibers. © 2019Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48896. HIGHLIGHTS:• Carbon spheres and carbon rods were produced through pyrolytic conversion of cellulose nanocrystals and wasted cotton fibers.• Mechanical properties of carbon spheres and carbon rods epoxy composites were studied showing the differences induced by the particle shapes. • An ultimate tensile strength improvement of 57% was reached using 5 wt % of carbonized cellulose nanocrystals.• A maximum elongation improvement of 100% was reached using 2 wt % of carbonized cellulose nanocrystals.• A friction coefficient reduction of 61% was reached using 10 wt % of carbonized cotton fibers.

Innovative Biochar-Based Composite Fibres from Recycled Material

“…In a rough comparison with fibres loaded with 20 wt.% CNTs, biochar containing composites displayed far lower conductivity, and this was understandable because of the significant difference in the conductivities of the fillers themselves. In line with Noori et al [ 25 ], biochar produced at 1000 °C showed an electric behaviour close to that of metal, but it was still far from the conductive values of CNTs. Another advantage of the Biochar material is seen here, namely the possibility of its greater compaction in the composite.…”

“…Derived from recycled cotton fibres, Biochar is synthesized as described [ 24 , 25 ]. To produce the composite in the form of fibres, the screw extruder (purpose-designed and assembled at the Faculty of Mechatronics, WUT) was used.…”

3D printing of spent coffee ground derived biochar reinforced epoxy composites

“…Table 1 further gives the values corresponding to the rate of max decomposition, onset of degradation, and residue percentage as shown in Figure 7. 44 The results from DMA graphs shown in Figure 8 illustrate storage modulus versus temperature of neat epoxy resin compared with biochar infused epoxy resin. The peak of the storage modulus curve is of interest to highlight the initial stiffness of the material at room temperature.…”

Effect of biomass derived biochar materials on mechanical properties of biochar epoxy composites

“…Authors concluded that porous nature of the biochar particles reduced the void content and enhanced the interfacial bonding. Mattia Bartoli et al 27 incorporated microstructured biochar materials from cellulose and waste cotton fibers into epoxy composites and studied mechanical behavior of developed composites. From experimental results it was noticed addition of 5% biochar materials to epoxy composites improved tensile strength by 57% and 10% biochar epoxy composites exhibited low friction coefficient i.e., 0.22.…”