Search

Agricultural by-products such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and poultry can pollute the environment, endangering human and animal health. Most agricultural waste is disposed of without treatment before being burned or deposited in landfills. Furthermore, agro waste has the potential to create a slew of new climate-related challenges by emitting more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere regularly. Around 1 billion tons of agro-waste is generated annually, posing a severe problem on several fronts, including the environment and the economy. Thereby, it is essential to effectively use these wastes during industrial operations to pave the way for producing valuable products, which serves as the conceptual framework. For instance, extracting methane from solid waste in Delhi could provide electricity to 18 million residents. Moreover, the global biofuel demand is expected to increase by 11 million gallons between 2021 and 2026. Effectively processing agro waste with rich carbohydrates such as fruit peels, vegetables, sugarcanes, coconut shells, oil palms, maize, and rice husk can produce biofuels. Furthermore, agro-wastes can be used as filler materials in making biopolymers and bio-composites, which serve as greener alternatives to traditional materials. The effective methods for converting agricultural by-products into biofuels, biocomposite materials, bioenergy, and filler materials have been thoroughly discussed in this review. Furthermore, perspectives ways to improve energy efficiency and techniques to reduce environmental impacts are discussed in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable fiber-reinforced biocomposites from steam-exploded coconut fibers and polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene succinate (PBS) plastic were developed in this study. Biocomposite filaments and samples were produced using a commercial-scale screw extruder and a 3D printer, respectively. In-depth mechanical and thermal analyses were also performed. The results showed that the tensile strengths of PLA mixed with 3% coconut fiber (PLA97/F3) and 6% coconut fiber (PLA94/F6) decreased by approximately 22% and 23%, respectively, compared to the 64% reduction of that of the original PLA after four-week storage. The bending modulus of the PLA/fiber composite was better than that of the original PLA (21–29% higher), whereas a 5–8% improvement was observed for the PLA/PBS/fiber composites. The impact strengths of PLA97/F3 and PLA77/PBS20/F3 were approximately 8.5% and 7.4% higher than those of the original PLA and PLA/PBS, respectively. During the degradation test, both PLA97/F3 and PLA77/PBS20/F3 exhibited higher tensile strengths than the original materials. Finally, this research presents encouraging results for the production of biodegradable fiber-reinforced biocomposites that are applicable to 3D printing platforms. The final products can be used as replacement or aftermarket components of automobiles. • PLA, PBS, and steam-exploded coconut fiber were used for filament production. • The 3D-printed biocomposites were subjected to mechanical and thermal tests. • Coconut fiber is effective as a natural fiber reinforcement material. • The products have higher tensile strengths than original materials during degradation test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clean and sustainable development of biomass resources has attracted tremendous attention to alleviate the increasingly serious energy depletion and environmental problems. Hence, it is urgently needed to design a green product through a cleaner production strategy to bridge the gap between materials and sustainability toward environmental protection and practicality. Herein, a bamboo fiber/polybutylene succinate (PBS) biocomposite that carries silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and antibacterial activity, as well as the performance of interface reinforcement, were prepared using a green, efficient, and scalable bionic strategy of PDA coupling with minimal environmental footprint. The proposed bamboo fiber/PBS biocomposites, which showed multifunctionality and environmental adaptability, revealed good antibacterial activity, where the average inhibition zone diameters against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria reached 5.37 ± 0.36 and 3.96 ± 0.74 mm, respectively. Simultaneously, gains in the EMI shielding effectiveness (∼29.72 dB) and mechanical properties (improved by 24.58% in tensile strength, 39.13% in tensile modulus, 14.60% in flexural strength, and 19.67% in flexural modulus) were realized. Overall, this work displays a novel pathway toward eco-friendly and multifunctional nature fiber/polymer composites for high-value utilization. A green and sustainable natural fiber-reinforced polybutylene succinate biocomposite carrying silver nanoparticles based on a clean, simple and bionic strategy was proposed for antibacterial application and electromagnetic interference shielding. [Display omitted] • An eco-friendly biocomposite was realized via a green and bionic strategy. • AgNPs were synthesized through a clean synthetic route. • Biocomposites exhibit a remarkable EMI shielding effectiveness. • Enhanced interfacial interaction was attained. • Biocomposites possess antibacterial performance towards E. coli and S. aureus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While polybutylene succinate (PBS) has gained increasing interest following the recent shift from conventional polymers to biobased and biodegradable polymers, its high cost, high flammability, and low thermal conductivity have limited its practical applications. In this study, PBS hybrid composites with improved heat dissipation capability and anti-dripping performance were fabricated by incorporating a novel organic-inorganic hybrid filler. The hybrid filler was fabricated by attaching silicon carbide particles to the surface of coffee husks treated with a flame retardant agent. Spectroscopic and morphological analyses confirmed that the hybrid filler was successfully fabricated. PBS composites filled with the hybrid filler exhibited better filler/matrix interfacial interaction, which resulted in a 250% enhancement on the thermal conductivity of the hybrid composite with the incorporation of small vol% of conductive SiC. They also showed superior mechanical properties: the tensile strength and Young's modulus were enhanced by 40% and 70%. During a burning test, the composite attained the UL-94 V-0 rating without any dripping and with surface char formation. Overall, the PBS hybrid composite showed promising properties that could potentially broaden the applications of PBS-based materials. [Display omitted] • Silicon carbide was attached to surface treated coffee cusk (CHs) to fabricated novel hybrid filler. • Polybutylene succinate hybrid composite was successfully fabricated. • The composites filled with hybrid fillers exhibit excellent anti-dripping performance. • The thermal conductivity of the hybrid composite showed 250% enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we investigated the possible use of Paddy straw (PS) to develop biodegradable pots for the cultivation of transplantable horticulture crops, as alternative to plastic pots. To prepare biodegradable pots, six different Biocomposites (BCs) were developed using PS (untreated and treated) as filler, corn starch (native and cross-linked) as matrix and glycerol as a plasticizer. All the six BCs were characterized on the basis of various parameters (water uptake, mechanical strength, porosity, density, etc.). Biodegradability of all the six BCs was established under lab (in vitro CO 2 emission assay) and field condition (weight loss assay), which was further validated through SEM and FTIR analysis. Under in vitro conditions, none of the BCs was found antimicrobial. Among the six BCs, pots prepared from BC3, BC4, BC5, and BC6 were found physically stable for up to 28–30 days under greenhouse conditions. The plant growth variables of cucumber plant grown in these pots were equivalent to those grown in plastic pots. However, considering the ease of preparation, only BC3 and BC4 were selected for field studies. When BC3 and BC4 pots along with 30-day old cucumber plants were transplanted to fields, both the pots have shown disintegration and degradation within 10–20 days after transplantation, facilitating the penetration of roots out of the pots. Further, plants were found to be healthy and morphologically equivalent to those grown in plastic pots. In the background of rising concern about plastic waste, agro residue burning and their effect on the environment and human health in the long run, these biodegradable pots open a new path to reduce, reuse and recycle responsibly. Fuss-free transplantation is another resounding benefit associated with these pots. In future, these biodegradable pots may provide better opportunity to manage PS ecofriendly. [Display omitted] • Paddy straw and starch based biodegradable biocomposites were prepared. • Biodegradation of biocomposites in soil was observed in 20 days. • Biocomposite pots were stable up to 30 days under greenhouse conditions. • Biocomposite pots were non-phytotoxic and transplantable. • Plants roots were able to penetrate biocomposite pots after transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the increasing demand for eco-friendly polymer materials that can be employed in advanced industrial applications, the development of biodegradable polymer composites with advantageous mechanical properties and fire resistance remains a challenge. In this work, we fabricated fully biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)/polybutylene succinate (PBS) composites reinforced with surface-treated coffee husks (CHs) with high rigidity, mechanical strength, and fire resistance. CH characterization confirmed that the surface was successfully treated with different C4 dicarboxylic acids. Morphological analysis of the composites revealed that the surface-treated CHs helped to improve both the compatibility between the matrices and the interfacial interaction between the filler and the matrices. The tensile strength and modulus of the composites increased by 96% and 278% compared to neat PBAT. Flammability and combustion tests confirmed that the combined effect of phosphorus and dicarboxylic acid surface treatment improved the fire-resistant behavior of the composites. This study thus presents a promising technique for the development of PBAT composites with suitable mechanical properties and fire resistance. [Display omitted] • Polybutylene adipate terephthalate/polybutylene succinate composites reinforced with surface-treated coffee husks (CHs). • CHs were successfully surface treated with different dicarboxylic acids. • The composites filled with treated CHs exhibit excellent fire resistance. • The tensile strength and modulus of the composites increased by 96% and 278%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]