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Development of Polymer Composites Using Surface-Modified Olive Pit Powder for Fused Granular Fabrication.
Pedro Burgos Pintos1, Mirko Maturi1, Alberto Sanz de León1
1Departamento Ciencia de los Materiales, Ingeniería Metalúrgica y Química Inorgánica, IMEYMAT, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Cádiz, Campus Río San Pedro, s/n, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain.
Polymers
|November 9, 2024
Summary
Olive pit waste is transformed into bio-based composites for 3D printing. Surface modification with PBAT enhances compatibility and improves the mechanical properties of these novel polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Sustainable Manufacturing
Background:
- Olive oil industry generates significant agro-waste (olive pits).
- Valorization of agro-waste can lead to sustainable composite materials.
- Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) is a versatile thermoplastic for additive manufacturing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To valorize olive pit agro-waste by developing bio-based composite materials.
- To enhance the compatibility of olive pit powder (OPP) with PETG using surface functionalization.
- To investigate the processability and mechanical properties of 3D-printed composites for large format additive manufacturing (LFAM).
Main Methods:
- Olive pits were processed into olive pit powder (OPP).
- OPP was surface-functionalized with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) to create modified olive pit powder (MOPP).
- OPP and MOPP were compounded with PETG and 3D-printed using Fused Granular Fabrication (FGF) at various concentrations (5, 10, 15 wt.%).
Main Results:
- PBAT coating improved thermal properties (degradation temperature, specific heat capacity) and reduced melt viscosity (MFR).
- Modified olive pit powder (MOPP) composites exhibited superior mechanical properties compared to unmodified OPP composites.
- SEM analysis confirmed better integration of MOPP within the PETG matrix, indicating enhanced compatibility.
Conclusions:
- Surface functionalization of olive pit powder with PBAT is an effective strategy to improve its compatibility with PETG.
- The developed bio-based PETG/MOPP composites show promise for sustainable large format additive manufacturing (LFAM).
- This approach offers a viable route for valorizing olive pit agro-waste into functional materials.
