Fabrication of Graphene Oxide Reinforced Biocomposite: Recycling of Postconsumed Footwear Leather

Abstract

The increasing concerns about solid waste disposal have led to the development of innovative strategies for repurposing waste materials. This paper describes a simple solution casting process for recycling postconsumed footwear leather fiber (PCF) into a biocomposite film reinforced with graphene oxide (GO) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). PVP was utilized as a compatibilizer to strengthen the interfacial bonding of GO and leather fiber via π–π interactions. UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the material dispersibility bonding between GO and PCF, structural properties, thermal properties, and surface morphology of the biocomposite films, respectively. Compared to pure PCF film, the oxygen transmission rate of the prepared biocomposite films is elevated by 64% as well as the biodegradability rate is intensified up to 60%. In addition, the film’s tensile strengths are raised by 216%, while their elongation at break is increased by 164.64% as compared with PCF. The versatility of these eco-friendly and biodegradable composite films extends to its possible applications in packaging and interior design. The outcomes of the research reveal the viability of manufacturing affordable and sustainable biocomposites through the utilization of waste leather from consumed footwear.

Biodegradable composite from discarded hair keratin and graphene oxide with improved mechanical, thermal and barrier properties: an eco‐friendly solution to waste materials

“…The mechanical properties of a composite depend on fibers, matrix, their ratio and the fabrication methodology. The variation in the matrix and the fiber/matrix ratio used in those studies may have contributed to the differences in the mechanical properties of the composites 3,22,42,46 . However, better mechanical properties were observed which is a major finding of the current investigation.…”

“…The fabricated composites with keratin and GO showed a tensile strength of 96.47 MPa and 63.28% elongation at break. Tensile strengths of 129.50, 148.70 and 149.00 MPa were found for composites fabricated with industrial flax linens‐GO, polyacrylonitrile‐reduced GO and post‐consumer footwear‐GO, respectively 40–42 . With respect to tensile strength, the following data showed better tensile strength than one of the studies represented in Table 3 43 .…”

“…Tensile strengths of 129.50, 148.70 and 149.00 MPa were found for composites fabricated with industrial flax linens-GO, polyacrylonitrile-reduced GO and post-consumer footwear-GO, respectively. [40][41][42] With respect to tensile strength, the following data showed better tensile strength than one of the studies represented in Table 3. 43 Addition of GO in the composite fabrication accelerates a strong interfacial interaction with keratin protein from the hair used in this study.…”

“…A graphene nano‐sized particle has a large surface area as well as a higher contact area to enhance the interaction with the matrix, which ensures better mechanical properties of the fabricated composite. The difference of fiber in the composite fabrication process is another reason behind the difference in mechanical properties 3,24,42–45 . This could be due to the use of industrial flax linen in the previous study, which had better strength than pure keratin.…”

“…The difference of fiber in the composite fabrication process is another reason behind the difference in mechanical properties. 3,24,[42][43][44][45] This could be due to the use of industrial flax linen in the previous study, which had better strength than pure keratin. This suggests that the variation in matrix can result in a variation in tensile strength.…”