Eco-Friendly Composite Materials: Enhancing Sustainability with Sugarcane Bagasse Biochar and Polystyrene Resin

• Published in: Sugar tech : an international journal of sugar crops & related industries 2024-04, Vol.26 (2), p.408-421
• Main Authors: Iwuozor, Kingsley O., Abdulkareem, Sulyman Age, Amoloye, Mubarak A., Emenike, Ebuka Chizitere, Ezzat, Abdelrahman O., Mustapha, Jamiu Ajibola, Egbemhenghe, Abel U., Adeniyi, Adewale George
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; Alkynes; Aromatic compounds; Bagasse; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Carbon content; Carbonyl compounds; Carbonyls; Charcoal; Composite materials; Functional groups; Hardness; Hardness tests; Life Sciences; Oxygen content; Photomicrographs; Polystyrene; Polystyrene resins; Research Article; Sugarcane; Sustainability
• ISSN: 0972-1525; 0974-0740
• DOI: 10.1007/s12355-023-01350-4

Composite materials play a vital role in enhancing sustainability across various industries. This study focuses on the development of eco-friendly composites through the integration of sugarcane bagasse biochar and polystyrene resin. The composites were prepared by manually mixing sugarcane bagasse biochar and polystyrene resin, followed by a hand-layup process. The composites contained varying biochar content, ranging from 10 to 40%, and were thermally cured and characterized. The hardness tests depicted the reinforcing impact of biochar on the resin matrix, with the pure polystyrene resin exhibiting a hardness value of 244 HB, while the biochar-reinforced composites display a gradual increase, culminating in peak hardness at 371 HRB in the 40% biochar composite. The elemental analysis showed increased carbon content up to 91.30% in composites with 40% biochar, with a lower oxygen content (9.70%). The silicon presence reduced and became undetectable in composites with 30 and 40% biochar, possibly due to alterations during curing. The incorporation of biochar into the resin induced significant shifts and modifications in FTIR peaks, indicating the presence of diverse functional groups, including hydroxyl, alkene, alkyne, carbonyl, and aromatic rings within the composites. Surface examinations conducted via SEM micrographs illustrate a transformation from a smooth and uniform surface in polystyrene resin to progressively rough and improved porous surfaces in composites with higher biochar content. The results from this study highlight the potential of sugarcane bagasse biochar and polystyrene resin composites in various applications, fostering a more environmentally responsible and resource-efficient path.