Plastic/Natural Fiber Composite Based on Recycled Expanded Polystyrene Foam Waste

Abstract

A novel reinforced recycled expanded polystyrene (r-EPS) foam/natural fiber composite was successfully developed. EPS was recycled by means of the dissolution method using an accessible commercial mixed organic solvent, while natural fibers, i.e., coconut husk fiber (coir) and banana stem fiber (BSF) were used as reinforcement materials. The treatment of natural fibers with 5% (w/v) sodium hydroxide solution reduces the number of –OH groups and non-cellulose components in the fibers, more so with longer treatments. The natural fibers treated for 6 h showed rough surfaces that provided good adhesion and interlocking with the polymer matrix for mechanical reinforcement. The tensile strength and impact strength of r-EPS foam composites with treated fibers were higher than for non-filled r-EPS foam, whereas their flexural strengths were lower. Thus, this study has demonstrated an alternative way to produce recycled polymer/natural fiber composites via the dissolution method, with promising enhanced mechanical properties.

A mini-review on expanded polystyrene waste recycling and its applications

“…They further revealed that the alkaline treatment of coconut shells helped to improve the mechanical properties of the WPC. Furthermore, Sriprom, Sirivallop [80] used coconut husk fibre and banana stem fibre reinforcements to produce wood-plastic composites based on recycled expanded polystyrene waste. Their results affirm that treating fibre with sodium hydroxide increased the adhesion of fibres to the matrix.…”

“Polymers from Renewable Resources”: Key Findings from This Topic Special Issue

“… Eight articles described different materials and processes with environmentally friendly attributes. Sriprom and collaborators [ 12 ] worked on a novel, reinforced, recycled expanded polystyrene (r-EPS) foam/natural fiber composite obtained via a dissolution method. Coconut husk fiber (coir) and banana stem fiber (BSF) were used as the reinforcement materials in order to enhance the mechanical properties.…”

Cellulose Fibers-Based Porous Lightweight Foams for Noise Insulation

“…The focus of this analysis was on the identification of feasible solutions to compensate for decreased strength, caused by the reduced density and poor water resistance of foam-formed cellulose composites. An innovative foam/natural fiber composite was successfully developed within the work [ 46 ]. The authors demonstrated an alternative way to produce composites with promising enhanced mechanical properties.…”