Preparation and properties of biocomposite prepared from waste polystyrene and Prospopis africana biochar

Abstract

In this study, the pods of Prospopis Africana were thermochemically converted into biochar and combined with polystyrene resin in varying proportions to form composites The composites were then characterized to determine their characteristics using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), a Scanning electron microscope coupled with the energy dispersive X-ray Spectrophotometer (SEM-EDX), and a Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The FTIR analysis confirmed the changing or shifting of several peaks in the polystyrene resin and biochar samples. The hardness test showed that incorporating the Prosopis africana biochar into the solvated polystyrene matrix reduced the latter's hardness and reduced the impact value. SEM analysis showed that the biochar was firmly embedded in the polystyrene matrix, showing good adhesion between the matrix and the filler. This study has demonstrated that composites produced from Prosopis africana biochar filler and polystyrene resin matrix could be used as adsorbents and in the fabrication of materials requiring good electrical and thermal properties.