A Novel Approach to Charcoal Fine Waste: Sustainable Use as Filling of Polymeric Matrices

Abstract

Most composites produced come from fossil fuel sources. Renewable strategies are needed for the production of composites. Charcoal fines are considered waste and an alternative for the production of biocomposites. The charcoal fines resulting from the pyrolysis of any biomass are an efficient alternative for the production of green composites. Studies to understand how the pyrolysis parameters influence the properties of this material for the production of biocomposites are necessary. Charcoal has a high carbon content and surface area, depending on final production temperatures. This study aims to evaluate charcoal fines as potential reinforcing agents in biocomposites. This study investigated for the first time charcoal fines from three pyrolysis temperatures (400, 600, and 800 °C) to identify the most suitable charcoal for use as a raw material in the production of carbon biocomposites with 30% by weight incorporated into a polyester matrix composite. Apparent density, porosity, morphology, and immediate chemical composition and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of charcoal fines were evaluated. The charcoal fines produced at 800 °C showed interesting potential as polymeric matrix fillers due to their higher porosity (81.08%), fixed carbon content (96.77%), and hydrophobicity. The biocomposites were analyzed for flexural and tensile strength and scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed an improvement in resistance at elevated temperatures, especially at 800 °C, with higher breaking strength (84.11 MPa), modulus of elasticity (4064.70 MPa), and traction (23.53 MPa). Scanning electron microscopy revealed an improvement in morphology, with a decrease in roughness at 800 °C, which caused greater adhesion to the polyester matrix. These results revealed a promising new biocomposite compared to other natural lignocellulosic polymeric composites (NLFs) in engineering applications.