Valorization of <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i>: From Invasive Plant to Fiber Reinforcement of Injected Composites
During the control campaigns of <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i> (invasive species widespread worldwide), the generated waste has accumulated in landfills. This study investigates its use to obtain <i>P. setaceum</i> fibers for their application as reinforcement of polymeric materi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Plants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/9/1777 |
| _version_ | 1797601957048745984 |
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| author | Patricia Cabrera-García María Dolores Marrero Antonio Nizardo Benítez Rubén Paz |
| author_facet | Patricia Cabrera-García María Dolores Marrero Antonio Nizardo Benítez Rubén Paz |
| author_sort | Patricia Cabrera-García |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | During the control campaigns of <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i> (invasive species widespread worldwide), the generated waste has accumulated in landfills. This study investigates its use to obtain <i>P. setaceum</i> fibers for their application as reinforcement of polymeric materials for injection molding, thus facilitating and promoting alternatives for the long-term sustainable management of <i>P. setaceum</i>. The extracted fibers were treated with alkaline, silane, acetic acid, and combined alkaline and silane treatments. Different composites with 20 and 40 wt% of fiber were extruded, and test samples were obtained by injection molding using recycled polyethylene as matrix. The composition of the fibers was determined by gravimetric methods, and contrasted with the analysis of the functional chemical groups using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Increases of up to 47% in the cellulose content of the treated fiber were observed. The thermal degradation was also evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis, which determined an increase in the degradation temperature, from 194 to 230 °C, after the combined alkaline–silane treatment. In order to analyze the differences in the composites, tensile, flexural, and impact properties were evaluated; in addition, differential scanning calorimetry was performed. Regarding the flexural behavior, it was possible to improve the flexural modulus up to 276% compared with that of the unreinforced polymer. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:10:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d8a0574bab6a4d61b2b6de4b006927a4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:10:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj.art-d8a0574bab6a4d61b2b6de4b006927a42023-11-17T23:31:35ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472023-04-01129177710.3390/plants12091777Valorization of <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i>: From Invasive Plant to Fiber Reinforcement of Injected CompositesPatricia Cabrera-García0María Dolores Marrero1Antonio Nizardo Benítez2Rubén Paz3Departamento de Ingeniería de Procesos, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, SpainDepartamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, SpainDepartamento de Ingeniería de Procesos, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, SpainDepartamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, SpainDuring the control campaigns of <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i> (invasive species widespread worldwide), the generated waste has accumulated in landfills. This study investigates its use to obtain <i>P. setaceum</i> fibers for their application as reinforcement of polymeric materials for injection molding, thus facilitating and promoting alternatives for the long-term sustainable management of <i>P. setaceum</i>. The extracted fibers were treated with alkaline, silane, acetic acid, and combined alkaline and silane treatments. Different composites with 20 and 40 wt% of fiber were extruded, and test samples were obtained by injection molding using recycled polyethylene as matrix. The composition of the fibers was determined by gravimetric methods, and contrasted with the analysis of the functional chemical groups using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Increases of up to 47% in the cellulose content of the treated fiber were observed. The thermal degradation was also evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis, which determined an increase in the degradation temperature, from 194 to 230 °C, after the combined alkaline–silane treatment. In order to analyze the differences in the composites, tensile, flexural, and impact properties were evaluated; in addition, differential scanning calorimetry was performed. Regarding the flexural behavior, it was possible to improve the flexural modulus up to 276% compared with that of the unreinforced polymer.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/9/1777<i>Pennisetum setaceum</i>invasive specieswaste valorizationnatural fiberschemical treatmentinjected composite |
| spellingShingle | Patricia Cabrera-García María Dolores Marrero Antonio Nizardo Benítez Rubén Paz Valorization of <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i>: From Invasive Plant to Fiber Reinforcement of Injected Composites Plants <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i> invasive species waste valorization natural fibers chemical treatment injected composite |
| title | Valorization of <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i>: From Invasive Plant to Fiber Reinforcement of Injected Composites |
| title_full | Valorization of <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i>: From Invasive Plant to Fiber Reinforcement of Injected Composites |
| title_fullStr | Valorization of <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i>: From Invasive Plant to Fiber Reinforcement of Injected Composites |
| title_full_unstemmed | Valorization of <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i>: From Invasive Plant to Fiber Reinforcement of Injected Composites |
| title_short | Valorization of <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i>: From Invasive Plant to Fiber Reinforcement of Injected Composites |
| title_sort | valorization of i pennisetum setaceum i from invasive plant to fiber reinforcement of injected composites |
| topic | <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i> invasive species waste valorization natural fibers chemical treatment injected composite |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/9/1777 |
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