Processing and characterization of coconut shell powder filled UHMWPE

Published Date
doi:10.1016/j.msea.2003.09.065 

Author 

Siddhartha K. Pradhan ^a,,

E.S. Dwarakadasa ^b

Philip J. Reucroft ^a

aDepartment of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, 177 Anderson Hall, Lexington, KY 40506, USA

bDepartment of Metallurgy, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India

Received 20 June 2003. Revised 8 September 2003. Available online 20 November 2003. 

Abstract 

A novel polymer matrix composite using coconut shell powder (CSP) as a filler material has been processed by a powder metallurgy technique. A mixture of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) powder and CSP was compacted at 200 °C in a die-punch arrangement. The composite material remained tough when the CSP content was 20–30 vol.%, as revealed by notch impact tests and fractography studies. However, the compressive strength of the UHMWPE–CSP composite decreased rapidly beyond 20 vol.% CSP. In this paper, preliminary results are presented to throw light on mechanical properties and on some aspects of the processing method used.

Keywords

UHMWPE

Filled polymer composite

Coconut shell powder

---

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 6.

Fig. 7.

• * 
  Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-859-420-5211; fax: +1-859-323-1929.

For further details log on website :
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039914015001678

Multivariate analysis of coconut residues by near infrared spectroscopy

Published Date
1 June 2015, Vol.138:263–272, doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2015.03.014

Author  

M.K.D. Rambo ^a,b

A.R. Alves ^c

W.T. Garcia ^c

M.M.C. Ferreira ^a,,

aInstitute of Chemistry, University of Campinas – UNICAMP, CEP 13083-970 Campinas, Brazil

bDepartment of Chemistry, University of Tocantins – UFT, CEP 77838-824 Araguaína, Brazil

cSugarcane Research Center – CTC, CEP 13418-900 Piracicaba, Brazil

Received 2 December 2014. Revised 6 March 2015. Accepted 7 March 2015. Available online 12 March 2015. 

Highlights

• Characterization of coconut residues.
• •
  Physicochemical analysis of several processing stages.
• •
  Potential use of NIRS and chemometrics for determining biomass composition.
• •
  Biorefineries opportunities.

Abstract 

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was used to determine the content of Klason lignin, acid-soluble lignin, total lignin, extractives, ash, acid-insoluble residue, glucose, xylose, rhamnose, galactose, arabinose, mannose and total sugars in coconut residues. The samples were analyzed at several processing stages: wet unground (WU), dried unground (DU) and dried and sieved (DS). Partial least squares models were built, and the models for the analytes exhibited R²>0.80, with the exceptions of rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, mannose and ash from all fractions, and the lignin content from the WU fraction, which were predicted poorly (R²<0.70). There were some significant differences between the models for the main lignocellulosic components at the various stages of biomass. These results proved that NIR spectroscopy is useful for analysis at biorefineries, and it can be used as a faster and more economical alternative to the standard methods.

Graphical abstract

Near Infrared Spectra for coconut samples and plot of reference versus predicted values from the calibration and external validation models for the total sugars.

Keywords

• Biomass residue
• Chemical composition
• Chemometrics
• Figures of merit
• Monosaccharide

---

 Table 1

Table 1.

Fig. 1.

 Table 2

Table 2.

 Table 3

Table 3.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

 Table 4

Table 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 6.

 Table 5

Table 5.

• ⁎ 
  Corresponding author.

For further details log on website :
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925838810027672

Potential of using coconut shell particle fillers in eco-composite materials

Published Date
3 February 2011, Vol.509(5):2381–2385, doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2010.11.025

Author 

J. Sarki ^a,b,

S.B. Hassan ^a,b,

V.S. Aigbodion ^a,b,,

J.E. Oghenevweta ^a,b

aDepartment of Fire and Safety, Kaduna International Airport, Kaduna-State, Nigeria

bDepartment of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria

Received 6 October 2010. Revised 30 October 2010. Accepted 3 November 2010. Available online 10 November 2010. 

Abstract

Morphology and mechanical properties of coconut shell particles reinforced epoxy composites were evaluated to assess the possibility of using it as a new material in engineering applications. Coconut shell filled composites were prepared from epoxy polymer matrix containing up to 30 wt% coconut shell fillers. The effects of coconut shell particle content on the mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the composite surfaces indicates that there are fairly good interfacial interaction between coconut shell particles and epoxy matrix. It was shown that the value of tensile modulus and tensile strength values increases with the increase of coconut shell particles content, while the impact strength slightly decreased, compared to pure epoxy resin. This work has shown that coconut shell particles can be used to improve properties of epoxy polymer composite to be used in eco-buildings.

Research highlights

▶ The production and characterization of the composites has been done.

Keywords

Coconut shell

Composites

Epoxy

Morphology and mechanical properties

---

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 6.

Fig. 7.

Fig. 8.

Fig. 9.

Fig. 10.

 Table 1

Table 1.

• ⁎ 
  Corresponding author at: Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria. Tel.: +234 8028433576.

For further details log on website :
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359431115010261

Synthesis of coconut shell nanoparticles via a top down approach: Assessment of milling duration on the particle sizes and morphologies of coconut shell nanoparticles

Published Date
15 November 2015, Vol.159:514–519, doi:10.1016/j.matlet.2015.07.063

Featured Letter

Author 

• Sefiu Adekunle Bello ^a,b,,,
• Johnson Olumuyiwa Agunsoye ^a
• Suleiman Bolaji Hassan ^a

• aDepartment of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
• bDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria

Received 12 April 2015. Revised 30 June 2015. Accepted 12 July 2015. Available online 14 July 2015.

Highlights

• A novel synthesis of coconut shell nanoparticles via a top down approach was studied.
• •
  Coconut shell powders were milled for a maximum of 70 h and analysed.
• •
  Absorbance of Co Kα X-ray by particles occurred in the nano-wavelength range.
• •
  There was a decrease in particle sizes with an increment in milling duration.
• •
  New phase was formed due to increased particle surface area during milling.

Abstract

Coconut shell nanoparticles (CSNPs) were synthesised from coconut shell powders using a top down approach. Effects of milling time on the particle morphologies and sizes of CSNPs were studied. CS powders were milled for a maximum of 70 h using ceramic balls and a planetary mill. Milled samples taken at 16, 46 and 70 h were analysed using scanning electron microscope with attached energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, X-ray diffractometer and UV–vis spectrophotometer. SEM micrographs revealed a difference in morphologies and appearances of the CSNPs. Particle size determination depicted a decrease in CSNPs' sizes with an increment in milling duration. The CSNP size determination from SEM aided with software and XRD aided with Scherrer's equation agrees with each other. This implies that the SEM observed CSNP sizes are in line with XRD crystalline sizes. The decrease in particles' Co Kα X-ray absorbance with increment in milling duration is an indication of reduction in CSNPs' opaqueness. This agrees with fading of brownish colour of CS powders as the milling duration increased. The smaller the wavelength at which maximum absorbance of the Co Kα X-ray occurred the smaller the CSNPs' sizes. Hence, an increase in surface area as the CSNPs' sizes decreased during milling led to particle agglomeration and formation of new compounds.

Keywords

Synthesis

Compounds

Cobalt

X-ray

Milling duration

Nanofillers

---

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

• ⁎ 
  Corresponding author at: Kwara State University, Materials Science and Engineering, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria.

For further details log on website :
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1359431115010261