An Attempt to Find a Suitable Biomass for Biochar-Based Polypropylene Biocomposites

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Sustainable Materials

Background:

• Polypropylene (PP) is a widely used thermoplastic polymer.
• Biomass wastes offer a sustainable resource for material development.
• Enhancing the fire resistance of PP-based materials is crucial for safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of biomass wastes and biochar as fillers in polypropylene (PP) biocomposites.
• To evaluate the impact of different biomass wastes on the mechanical, thermal, and fire properties of PP biocomposites.
• To determine the optimal biomass waste for enhancing PP biocomposite performance.

Main Methods:

• Four types of biomass waste (rice husk, coffee husk, coarse wool, landfill wood) were utilized.
• Biochar and polypropylene (PP) were combined with biomass wastes to create biocomposites.
• Cone calorimetry was used to assess combustion behavior of individual biomasses.
• Mechanical, fire, thermal, and morphological properties of the biocomposites were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Landfill wood demonstrated the most beneficial effect on both mechanical and fire properties of the biocomposites.
• The wood and biochar composite exhibited superior tensile/flexural properties and a lower peak heat release rate.
• The incorporation of waste-derived biochar and biomasses significantly decreased the fire susceptibility of neat PP.

Conclusions:

• Biomass wastes, particularly landfill wood, can be effectively utilized with biochar to enhance polypropylene (PP) biocomposites.
• These biocomposites show improved mechanical strength and reduced flammability compared to neat PP.
• The findings suggest a promising route for developing sustainable and fire-resistant materials from waste resources.