Coco peat biomass driven nano composites: Synthesis, characterization and multifunctional properties

This research examines thermal, thermoelectric transport, mechanical and flammability properties of nanocomposites prepared from Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol-A, a thermosetting epoxy resin (DGEBA) and nano coco peat carbon (NCPC) filler. The filler was derived from coco peat, a byproduct of coconut tree. Nano coco peat carbon composites (1% NCPCC, 3% NCPCC & 5% NCPCC) were fabricated by incorporating 1, 3 and 5 wt % of NCPC into a mixture of calculated quantities of DGEBA resin matrix and triethylenetetramine (TETA) hardener. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) methods were helpful in the interpretation of structural features of filler and nanocomposites. Thermal degradation stages of NCPC and nanocomposites during pyrolysis were assessed with the aid of Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Thermal stability data indicated that 5% NCPCC was highly stable and 19.35% char residue was obtained at 800 °C. Resistivity of 1.442 × 10 4 Ω cm and conductivity of 6.933 × 10 -5 Ω −1 cm −1 obtained from thermoelectric measurements and Hall parameters by the van der Pauw method, signify the semiconducting behaviour of 5% NCPCC. 3% NCPCC possessed a maximum tensile strength of 44.35 MPa, determined according to ASTM D3039 standards, and 3% NCPCC exhibited the highest hardness value of 85, determined according to ASTM D2240 standards, respectively. Flammability was determined by the UL-94 vertical burning test, which showed that the 5% NCPCC composite had enhanced flame-resisting properties with a high amount of char formation, achieving V-2 grading with a Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) of 26.88.