Session: 16-01-01: Poster Session: NSF-Funded Research (Grad & Undergrad)

Paper Number: 99708

99708 - Investigation of Thermal Properties of Activated Coconut Shell Polymeric Composite 

One of the most significant natural fillers produced worldwide is coconut shell. Due to its high strength and modulus, as well as corrosion resistance, high toughness, low density, and low cost, coconut shell filler has emerged as a promising option for the development of new composites in recent years, according to numerous studies that have focused on the use of various natural fillers in composites. The coconut shell particles are also of great importance to the automobile and aerospace sectors due to their durability and high hardness (as opposed to glass fiber's fragility), as well as their mothproof, non-toxic, resistance to microbial and fungal degradation, and resistance to readily combustibility. The incompatibility of the filler material and the polymer matrix, problems with thermal insulation, and water absorption capacity, to name a few, have prevented coconut shell waste from being fully utilized in the development of innovative materials, particularly those used for thermal insulation. In this study, we seek to make a composite out of coconut shell-derived activated carbon utilizing epoxy resin adhesives (which will be carbonized at 400⁰C and then activated with potassium hydroxide (KOH) to increase the surface area and porosity of the precursor) using epoxy resin adhesives. Here, our composite will be examined using a wide selection of macroscopic and microscopic methods as well as with a variety of advanced techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for microstructural examination of the samples, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) for crystal structural analysis of the activated carbon, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for elemental composition of the composite material. investigation of water absorption, Thermal conductivity measurement using the ASTM C177-97 guarded hot plate method, and density measurement using a pycnometer, Differential Thermal Analyzer (DTA) for identifying and quantitatively analyzing the chemical composition of the activated carbon and the composite material by observing the thermal behavior of samples as it is heated. Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) for thermal stability examination of the activated carbon powder and the composite material. We are interested in studying the density and thermal conductivity of an activated carbon epoxy composite made from coconut shells, which depends on the size of the shell particles after sifting them through different meshes in accordance with ASTM D6913-17. Our samples' thermal conductivity should show that the activated carbon epoxy composite made from coconut shells has a lot of potential as a thermal insulator. Through this project, it will be possible to demonstrate the viability of employing coconut shell particles as cheap and environmentally friendly catalysts in the production of green composites.

Presenting Author: Emmanuel Aidoo Southern University and A&M College

Presenting Author Biography: I am Emmanuel Kwaku Aidoo, a first-year Graduate student in the Mechanical Engineering department at Southern University and A & M College, Baton Rouge, LA. My research interests include Multifunctional Composites, Nanomaterials, and Additive Manufacturing.

Authors:

Emmanuel Aidoo Southern University and A&M College