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In this work, the fabricated polylactic acid (PLA) and hybrid natural fiber (NF) biocomposites via a melt extrusion method were investigated. NFs from locally grown plants were utilized as fillers. Polyethene glycol (PEG) was used as the plasticizer to improve the processability of the PLA. The effect of PLA/NF biocomposite processing was assessed by mechanical characterization (tensile, modulus, strain at break, and impact tests), and thermal properties (thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry [DSC] analysis). The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermo‐mechanical analysis (TMA) of the samples were also analyzed. The mechanical properties of PLA/NF biocomposites improved as compared with that of PLA. The DMA findings show that the storage modulus and loss modulus exhibited a slight reduction for PLA/NF biocomposites compared with the PLA sample. In opposite, the glass transition temperature (Tg) from DSC thermogram results showed no obvious changes in values compared with the PLA sample. Furthermore, the findings of TMA showed a significant decrease in coefficient of thermal expansion values of PLA/NF biocomposites compared with those of PLA samples. The overall findings from this work indicated that PLA/NF biocomposites have the potential to make novel biocomposites and suitable for further application especially in biomedical applications due to its good stiffness, tensile strength, and dimensional stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work was to produce poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) membranes packed with nanocrystalline cellulose (NCCs) using an phase inversions technique induced by water vapor and crystallization. Four membranes containing NCCs at concentrations ranging from 0% to 3% were produced and characterized utilizing a variety of materials research techniques. The 3% NCC‐filled membrane exhibited a conspicuous and well‐assimilated polymeric structure during morphological testing. Meanwhile, increasing the NCCs from 0% to 3% loadings may enhance membrane porosity while simultaneously decreasing pore size. The thermal resistance of the clean membrane was boosted significantly by a 1% NCC loading, but dropped significantly with 2% and 3% NCC loadings owing to the blazing behavior of sulfated nanocellulose. Additionally, when compared to other samples, the membrane with a 3% NCC loading exhibited the highest mechanical characteristics for Young's modulus (3.34 GPa), elongation at break (9.7%), and tensile strength (32.9 MPa). The continuous operation test revealed that a 3% NCC loaded membrane had maximum removal effectiveness for metal ions of chromium with 92% and manganese with 90%. Hence, the NCCs‐filled PBAT composite membranes have high potential for treatment of wastewater streams in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, thermal analysis of olive/bamboo fiber‐based epoxy hybrid composites was carried out. Three types of olive fibers, which are olive tree small branch (OTS), olive tree big branch (OTB), and olive tree leaves (OTL), along with bamboo fibers (B), were used to fabricate the composites. Thermal properties of hybrid composites were examined by the thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), and thermomechanical analyzer (TMA). It was found that the thermal stability improved with the incorporation of hybrid fibers in epoxy composites compared to pure fiber composites. Hybrid composite (OTS‐B) exhibited a lower residue (15.82%) whereas hybrid composites (OTB‐B and OTS‐B) show 54.65% and 54.53% weight loss at the maximum decomposition temperature. DMA results showed that the storage modulus and loss modulus reduced with hybrid fiber composites while the damping factor (tan delta) was increased. The storage modulus values of the pure composite sample (B) exhibited a higher increased (3150 MPa). In contrast, the pure composite sample (B) exhibited the highest loss modulus (337 MPa). From TMA analysis, OTL‐B hybrid composite presented a higher Tg and lower coefficient of thermal expansion. We concluded that finding from this work will strengthen attracting interpretation of utilization of two different fibers to fabricate hybrid composites for various lightweight purposes in a wide‐ranging choice of industrial applications such as biomedical tools, automobile, and construction fields. Additionally, a novel method can be used to develop hybrid biocomposites materials, which have potential applications in biomaterials and engineering areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the alkali‐treated and untreated hybrid fibers incorporated with bio phenolic matrix to enhance the chemical interactions, mechanical and thermal properties have been investigated. The oil palm fiber (OPF) and pineapple fiber (PALF) were utilized as reinforcements into bio phenolic resin. The improvements in chemical interactions were monitored by the Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The modifications of the surface for hybrid natural fibers (OPF/PALF) were enhanced in comparison to pure fiber composites. The composites' dynamic mechanical behavior such as storage modulus, loss modulus, and damping properties were also investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis analyzed the performance of untreated (OPF and PALF) and treated (OPF/OPF) composites at elevated temperature and observed adequate interfacial bonding as a result of the improvements in thermal stability. The results presented that alkali) NaOH(incorporation in hybrid composites (OPF/PALF) results in increased the tensile strength and modulus among all composites. Furthermore, the tensile strength and modulus improved to the maximum value for treated 50% PALF composite compared to other composites. The hybridisation of treated alkali (5% NaOH/50% PALF) fiber shows best performance on tensile strength and modulus with 33.3 and 7535.2 MPa, respectively compared to other composites. The alkali‐treated hybrid composites (NaOH/1OPF.1PALF) exhibited the greatest flexural strength (99.8 MPa) and modulus (8813.1 MPa). The enhancement of the interfacial adhesion between pure and hybrid fiber composites and bio phenolic matrix through the mercerisation of OPF and PALF fibers reinforced composite played an essential role in improving the mechanical properties of composites via alkali treatment with NaOH solution. Natural fiber reinforced composites are commercially attractive for high‐volume applications; while their properties can be improved by adding alkali solution as stabilizers. It can be recommended from the findings of this study that the alkali treatment (5% NaOH) can be used to enhance the efficiency of agriculture waste biomass. Additionally, the hybridization of bio‐fiber composites has potential to develop novel type of biodegradable and sustainable composites suitable for various industrial and engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The processing of olive (Olea europaea L.) oil results in large quantities of solid waste consisting primarily of tree pruning remainders from olive trees growing. This has led to the idea of utilizing the leftovers into a value‐added product; natural composite materials are utilized as alternatives to environmentally damaging synthetic materials. This study deals with the evaluation of the filling properties of the residue; olive tree small branch (OTS), olive tree big brunch (OTB) and olive tree leaves powder, for epoxy matrix biocomposite. Olive powder reinforced epoxy composite was processed at 40% filler loading. In this paper, the various forms of impacts of filler within epoxy on the physical and mechanical of epoxy composites were scrutinized by tensile, flexural, impact, thickness swelling, and water absorption tests. From the observation, it was discovered that the tensile and flexural strength of epoxy composite reinforced with OTS and OTB increased by about 27% and 47%, respectively. The impact strength values of OTS and OTB epoxy composites were 8.61, 7.88, and 5.97 J/m, respectively, while the virgin epoxy increased up to 16 J/m. The microstructure of the composites is also analyzed using scanning electron microscopy to analyze interfacial bonding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work deals with the mechanical behavior of dual bonding filler; chitosan (CTS) and date palm (DP) fibre in bio-epoxy composites. The primary objective of this research was to find out if the addition of CTS particles to a DP/bio-epoxy composite could enhance its mechanical properties. Bio-composites are being developed to better understand and manipulate the unique features of these versatile polysaccharides. CTS was included into the bio-epoxy matrix through solution mixing. Bio-epoxy composites with 40% DP fibre loading were developed by dispersing different CTS filler ratios - 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. For the purpose of comparison, a control sample was prepared without the inclusion of the CTS filler. The mixture was then manually disseminated for 7–10 min before being uniformly drenched into a steel cast mould with dimensions of 150 mm (width) 150 mm (length) 3 mm (thickness) and taken to the hot press, after which it underwent heating at a temperature of 110 °C for a duration of 10 minutes, while being subjected to a significant pressure of 250 bar. Tensile properties, impact properties, flexural properties, morphological characterization, water absorption, and thickness swelling were all measured on the prepared bio-composites. Among the CTS fractions, DP/CTS20 has the highest tensile strength (24.04 MPa) and tensile modulus (4.93 GPa), flexural strength (45.11 MPa), and impact strength (2.70 J/m2). The scanning electron microscope exposes the properties of fibres and polymers, as well as the reason for tensile test deficiency. Remarkably, bio-composites with higher CTS content have elevated moisture content and dimensional instability. Generally, we diagnosis that DP/CTS20 had the best tensile, flexural, and impact properties, as well as the highest water absorption and thickness swelling of any CTS compositions. The discovery improved our knowledge of bio-composite implementation trends, allowing us to assess their potential for more dependable implementations of much more sustainable green products. Furthermore, material enhancements such as bio-epoxy toughening to change the ductility behavior to improve energy absorption or natural fibre pretreatment can improve interbonding between the matrix and filler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this communication, biodegradable and highly elastic silk fibroin/poly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone)/polyethylene oxide (SF/PLCL/PEO) tri-polymers composite film was fabricated by sol–gel casting technology. The tri-polymers composite film exhibited a high cycle performance and rapid degradation rate by regulating the content of blending of the three polymer contents. The viability of cardiomyocyte cells was demonstrated for both SF/PLCL and SF/PLCL/PEO composite films after 1 day of culture, although the tri-polymers composite film demonstrated superior cell growth, attachment and spreading after culturing for 7 days. Study findings support the potential application of this biocompatible tri-polymers composite film as a heart patch substitute with multi-functionalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current work aims to study the mechanical and dynamical mechanical properties of non-woven bamboo (B)/woven kenaf (K)/epoxy (E) hybrid composites filled with nanoclay. The nanoclay-filled BK/E hybrid composites were prepared by dispersing 1 wt.% nanoclay (organically-modified montmorillonite (MMT; OMMT), montmorillonite (MMT), and halloysite nanotube (HNT)) with high shear speed homogenizer followed by hand lay-up fabrication technique. The effect of adding nanoclay on the tensile, flexural, and impact properties of the hybrid nanocomposites were studied. Fractography of tensile-fractured sample of hybrid composites was studied by field emission scanning electron microscope. The dynamic mechanical analyzer was used to study the viscoelastic properties of the hybrid nanocomposites. BK/E-OMMT exhibit enhanced mechanical properties compared to the other hybrid nanocomposites, with tensile, flexural, and impact strength values of 55.82 MPa, 105 MPa, and 65.68 J/m, respectively. Statistical analysis and grouping information were performed by one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) and Tukey method, and it corroborates that the mechanical properties of the nanoclay-filled hybrid nanocomposites are statistically significant. The storage modulus of the hybrid nanocomposites was improved by 98.4%, 41.5%, and 21.7% with the addition of OMMT, MMT, and HNT, respectively. Morphology of the tensile fracture BK/E-OMMT composites shows that lesser voids, microcracks and fibers pull out due to strong fiber–matrix adhesion compared to other hybrid composites. Hence, the OMMT-filled BK/E hybrid nanocomposites can be utilized for load-bearing structure applications, such as floor panels and seatbacks, whereby lightweight and high strength are the main requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]