Thermal, Morphological and Mechanical Properties of a BioPE Matrix Composite: Case of Shell, Pulp, and Argan Cake as Biofillers
Jihane Zeghlouli,
Nicola Schiavone,
Haroutioun Askanian,
Amine Guendouz,
Cherkaoui El Modafar,
Philippe Michaud,
Cédric Delattre
Affiliations
Jihane Zeghlouli
Centre d’Agrobiotechnologie et Bioingénierie, Unité de Recherche Labellisée CNRST (Centre AgroBiotech, URL-CNRST 05), Faculté des Sciences et Techniques Marrakech, Université Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Nicola Schiavone
Institut de Chimie de Clermont Ferrand (ICCF), UMR 6296 Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Haroutioun Askanian
Institut de Chimie de Clermont Ferrand (ICCF), UMR 6296 Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Amine Guendouz
Centre d’Agrobiotechnologie et Bioingénierie, Unité de Recherche Labellisée CNRST (Centre AgroBiotech, URL-CNRST 05), Faculté des Sciences et Techniques Marrakech, Université Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Cherkaoui El Modafar
Centre d’Agrobiotechnologie et Bioingénierie, Unité de Recherche Labellisée CNRST (Centre AgroBiotech, URL-CNRST 05), Faculté des Sciences et Techniques Marrakech, Université Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Extrusion and hot compressing molding processes were used to create bio-polyethylene (BioPE) composites reinforced with argan byproducts (shell, pulp, and argan cake) as bio-fillers. The thermal stability of the composites wass analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Dynamical mechanical analysis and rheological testing were used to investigate their mechanical properties. The morphological results showed a good adhesion between the argan and BioPE matrix. More efficient mechanical properties have been distinguished in the case of argan byproduct-based composite. A higher Young’s modulus was noted for all the biocomposites compared to pure BioPE. Thermal analysis revealed that the addition of bio-filler to polymer reduced decomposition temperatures. This study provides an ecological alternative for upgrading the valorization of abundant and underutilized Moroccan biomass. Furthermore, the possibility of using argan byproducts in composite manufacturing will help open up new markets for what is currently considered waste.
