title: Biocomposites based on Argan nut shell and a polymer matrix: Effect of filler content and coupling agent.
abstract: This study aimed at developing a biocomposite using polypropylene (PP) as the matrix and Argan nut shell (ANS) as reinforcement. Also, styrene-(ethylene-butene)-styrene triblock copolymer grafted with maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) was used as a coupling agent. The samples were prepared by using extrusion compounding followed by injection molding to determine the effect of filler and coupling agent content on the morphological, thermal, mechanical, and hygroscopic properties of the biocomposites. SEM micrographs revealed that good ANS dispersion/distribution into PP was achieved with an important reduction of fiber pull-out, micro-spaces, and voids with coupling agent addition. This led to substantial improvement intension, torsion, and water absorption reduction due to improved interfacial adhesion. Although ANS particles did not significantly modify the thermal stability of PP, the use of a coupling agent increased it. The experimental data were compared with several theoretical models such Voigt, Reuss, Hirsch, and Tsai-Pagano to characterize the interfacial adhesion quality and to determine the elastic modulus of a single ANS particle. Finally, all the results show that Argan waste to produce PP biocomposites is an interesting avenue to effectively deal with agricultural wastes and develop valuable industrial and practical applications.
authors.affiliation: Moroccan Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research (MAScIR), Institute of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology (NANOTECH), Laboratory of Polymer Processing, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Essabir
authors.affiliation: Mohammed V-Rabat University, Faculty of Science, Laboratory of Mechanic and Materials (LMM), Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Mohammed Ouadi
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Bensalah
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering and CERMA, Université Laval, Quebec G1V0A6, Canada.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rodrigue
authors.affiliation: Moroccan Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research (MAScIR), Institute of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology (NANOTECH), Laboratory of Polymer Processing, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Rachid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bouhfid
authors.affiliation: Moroccan Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research (MAScIR), Institute of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology (NANOTECH), Laboratory of Polymer Processing, Rabat, Morocco. Electronic address: a.qaiss@mascir.com.
authors.forename: Abou El Kacem
authors.initials: Ael K
authors.lastname: Qaiss
mesh_terms: D065966:Absorption, Physicochemical; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D045424:Complex Mixtures; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D008299:Maleic Anhydrides / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010316:Particle Size; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D012212:Rheology; D029632:Sapotaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013343:Styrenes / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014783:Viscosity; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D045424:Complex Mixtures; D008299:Maleic Anhydrides; D011126:Polypropylenes; D013343:Styrenes; D014867:Water
keywords: Argan nut shell; Biocomposites; Interfacial adhesion; Mechanical properties; Polypropylene