Scholarlink

<p>The valorization of agro-industrial waste into sustainable polymer composites represents an effective strategy to reduce plastic consumption and support circular economy. In this study, <i>Agave angustifolia</i> bagasse, a byproduct of the mezcal industry in Mexico, was evaluated as reinforcement for polypropylene (PP) composites. Formulations having 5, 7.5, and 10 wt.% alkali-treated fibers were produced by melt compounding and injection molding. Alkali treatment partially removed lignin and hemicellulose, increased fiber aspect ratio (from 5.87 to 6.47), and improved surface cleanliness, as confirmed by SEM and FTIR. Although the main decomposition peak of treated fibers shifted from 315 to 288&#xa0;°C, their thermal stability remained above PP processing temperatures. TGA of the composites revealed enhanced thermal stability at intermediate degradation stages, with PP-10TAF showing the highest resistance at 75% and 90% mass loss. Mechanical testing showed a marked reduction in elongation at break (70%) and a moderate decrease in tensile strength; however, PP-10TAF retained tensile strength comparable to PP (38 vs 39&#xa0;MPa) while exhibiting the highest elastic modulus (1275&#xa0;MPa). DMA confirmed storage modulus increases, reaching 26% in the glassy region and 89% in the rubbery region, showing enhanced stiffness across the temperatures range. TMA showed that the coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) increased by up to 72% at 7.5 wt.% fiber content, highlighting the dual role of agave fibers as reinforcing elements and thermally responsive domains. These findings broaden the potential application of agro-industrial residues in sustainable PP composites for non-structural applications including molded components and packaging elements.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

From Agricultural Waste to Functional Composites: Agave Bagasse and Polypropylene Materials with Enhanced Dimensional and Mechanical Stability

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月28日

查看全文
  • Barbara Berenice Avila-Morales,
  • Axel Ruíz-Jiménez,
  • Fernando Pérez-Ortega,
  • Magdaleno Caballero-Caballero,
  • Miguel C. Gutiérrez

摘要

The valorization of agro-industrial waste into sustainable polymer composites represents an effective strategy to reduce plastic consumption and support circular economy. In this study, Agave angustifolia bagasse, a byproduct of the mezcal industry in Mexico, was evaluated as reinforcement for polypropylene (PP) composites. Formulations having 5, 7.5, and 10 wt.% alkali-treated fibers were produced by melt compounding and injection molding. Alkali treatment partially removed lignin and hemicellulose, increased fiber aspect ratio (from 5.87 to 6.47), and improved surface cleanliness, as confirmed by SEM and FTIR. Although the main decomposition peak of treated fibers shifted from 315 to 288 °C, their thermal stability remained above PP processing temperatures. TGA of the composites revealed enhanced thermal stability at intermediate degradation stages, with PP-10TAF showing the highest resistance at 75% and 90% mass loss. Mechanical testing showed a marked reduction in elongation at break (70%) and a moderate decrease in tensile strength; however, PP-10TAF retained tensile strength comparable to PP (38 vs 39 MPa) while exhibiting the highest elastic modulus (1275 MPa). DMA confirmed storage modulus increases, reaching 26% in the glassy region and 89% in the rubbery region, showing enhanced stiffness across the temperatures range. TMA showed that the coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) increased by up to 72% at 7.5 wt.% fiber content, highlighting the dual role of agave fibers as reinforcing elements and thermally responsive domains. These findings broaden the potential application of agro-industrial residues in sustainable PP composites for non-structural applications including molded components and packaging elements.