Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference

nsf-logo[1]

  • About
    • About AAAS
    • About the NSF
    • About the Conference
    • Partners/Supporters
    • Project Team
  • Conference
  • Abstracts
    • Abstract Submission Process
    • Presentation Schedules
    • Abstract Submission Guidelines
    • Presentation Guidelines
    • Undergraduate Abstract Locator (2020)
    • Graduate Abstract Locator (2020)
    • Faculty Abstract Locator (2020)
  • Travel Awards
  • Resources
    • App
    • Award Winners
    • Code of Conduct-AAAS Meetings
    • Code of Conduct-ERN Conference
    • Conference Agenda
    • Conference Materials
    • Conference Program Books
    • ERN Photo Galleries
    • Events | Opportunities
    • Exhibitor Info
    • HBCU-UP/CREST PI/PD Meeting
    • In the News
    • NSF Harassment Policy
    • Plenary Session Videos
    • Professional Development
    • Science Careers Handbook
    • Additional Resources
    • Archives
  • Engage
    • Webinars
    • Video Contest
    • Video Contest Winners
    • ERN 10-Year Anniversary Videos
    • Plenary Session Videos
  • Contact Us

Effect of Bagasse Filler Nanoparticles on the Thermomechanical Properties of Bio-Based Epoxy System

Undergraduate #367
Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: Materials Science

Marylyn Creer - Alabama A&M University
Co-Author(s): Boniface Tiimob, Shaik Jeelani, and Vijaya Rangari, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL Esperidiana Moura, University of Sao Pauloa, Sao Paulo, Brazil



Polymer products are used for thousands of consumer needs and for many materials utilized by the aeronautics, healthcare and medical industries. In general, polymers are without great strength but can be fortified by various filler materials. Nonbiodegradable landfill waste contributes to pollution and deadly greenhouse gases. Such emissions can cause global warming, torrential flooding and glacier melts. Biodegradable material disposal causes little or no threat to the environment and humanity. Bagasse is the sugarcane stalk that remains after sugarcane juices have been harvested and is a great candidate for use as biodegradable filler. Bagasse nanoparticles (NPs ) were used as reinforcement filler material for the Epoxy 100/1000 system. This system contains Part A epoxy resin and Part B hardener. Quantities of 1, 2, 3, and 4 wt. % bagasse NPs were experimentally used to create specimen composites within the fabricated epoxy 100/1000 matrix system. Samples were then subjected to thermomechanical and flexure testing in order to evaluate their thermal stability, strength and quality. Test results were also evaluated in order to determine the optimum amount of bagasse nanoparticles necessary to provide the greatest strength without compromising other beneficial qualities. Such tests and analyses are necessary in determining the possibility of developing a material with a bagasse content that can provide higher product quality and benefits. Fabricated neat composite specimens were subjected to flexure test to determine changes in mechanical properties resulting from the incorporation of crystalline bagasse silica nanoparticles in the biopolymer matrix. The results revealed improvement in flexure strength due to the incorporation of 2 and 3 wt. % bagasse silica NPs, as well as improvement in other thermomechanical properties. The study outcomes show that bagasse nanoparticles have the potential to improve weak thermal and mechanical properties of polymers. More studies will continue to be conducted, including exploring other dispersion methods of bagasse nanoparticles into the polymer matrix.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): NSF Grant No. DMR-1358998; NSF-CREST

Faculty Advisor: Vijaya Rangari, rangariv@mytu.tuskegee.edu

ERN Conference

The 2022 ERN Conference has been postponed.

Full Notice

What’s New

  • Congratulations to Zakiya Wilson-Kennedy on her 2021 AAAS Fellowship
  • Event Vaccination and Liability Policy
  • Webinars
  • Events|Opportunities
  • AAAS CEO Comments on Social Unrest, Racism, and Inequality
  • Maintaining Accessibility in Online Teaching During COVID-19
  • In the News
  • HBCU/CREST PI/PD Meeting

Conference Photos

ERN Conference Photo Galleries

Awards

ERN Conference Award Winners

Checking In

nsf-logo[1]

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

AAAS

1200 New York Ave, NW Washington,DC 20005
202-326-6400
Contact Us
About Us

The World's Largest General Scientific Society

Useful Links

  • Membership
  • Careers at AAAS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Focus Areas

  • Science Education
  • Science Diplomacy
  • Public Engagement
  • Careers in STEM

 

  • Shaping Science Policy
  • Advocacy for Evidence
  • R&D Budget Analysis
  • Human Rights, Ethics & Law
© 2022 American Association for the Advancement of Science