Analytical Investigation of Microcrystalline Wood Charcoal Reinforced Polyester Composites Using ED-XRF, FTIR and SEM-EDS Techniques

Polyester based particle reinforced composites were developed using varying weight fractions (ranging from 0 to 30 wt%, at 5 wt% interval) of microcrystalline wood charcoal powder (75µm). Quantitative, qualitative and functional characterization of developed wood charcoal (WC) particles reinforced polyester matrix composites was carried out successfully using energy dispersive x-ray spectrophotometer (EDXRF), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) enhanced with ancillary EDS for elemental identification capability. The primary elements and oxides identified in wood charcoal by EDXRF include iron, copper, zinc, calcium and CaO, Fe2O3, CuO, ZnO respectively. These elements and oxides were noted to induce improvement on the properties of reinforced polymer composites. EDS elemental mapping also confirmed the major elements identified by EDXRF analysis. Composites reinforced with microcrystalline wood charcoal exhibited strong interfacial bonding and interlocking due to even dispersion of the filler particles as revealed by SEM images. Interactions of the microcrystalline wood charcoal fillers with the polyester matrix molecules were revealed by FTIR functional characterization as minor shifts in the frequency bands of functional groups normally present in unsaturated polyester resin.