Waste Nutshell Particulate Biocomposites with Geopolymer Matrix

The objective of this study was to explore the potential of creating advanced insulating biocomposites using waste almond and hazelnut shells as particulate fillers, combined with a geopolymer binder, to develop sustainable materials with minimal environmental impact. Optimal conditions for the prep...

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Main Authors: Filip Brleković, Katarina Mužina, Tatjana Haramina, Stanislav Kurajica
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Biomass
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8783/5/2/31
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author Filip Brleković
Katarina Mužina
Tatjana Haramina
Stanislav Kurajica
author_facet Filip Brleković
Katarina Mužina
Tatjana Haramina
Stanislav Kurajica
author_sort Filip Brleković
collection DOAJ
description The objective of this study was to explore the potential of creating advanced insulating biocomposites using waste almond and hazelnut shells as particulate fillers, combined with a geopolymer binder, to develop sustainable materials with minimal environmental impact. Optimal conditions for the preparation of biocomposites were determined by measuring the compressive strengths. The aforementioned optimal conditions included a geopolymer to waste nutshell mass ratio of 2, room-temperature curing, and the use of metakaolin geopolymers activated with potassium solutions. Notably, the highest compressive strengths of 4.1 MPa for hazelnut shells biocomposite and 6.4 MPa for almond shells biocomposite were obtained with milk of lime pretreatment at 80 °C for 1 h. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses revealed better adhesion, as well as improved geopolymer gel polymerization. Furthermore, thermal conductivity and diffusivity measurements demonstrated values characteristic of insulating materials, reinforcing their potential for eco-friendly construction applications.
format Article
id doaj-art-22892ad2eba74e9482f35f58d6c4226d
institution OA Journals
issn 2673-8783
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Biomass
spelling doaj-art-22892ad2eba74e9482f35f58d6c4226d2025-08-20T02:24:22ZengMDPI AGBiomass2673-87832025-05-01523110.3390/biomass5020031Waste Nutshell Particulate Biocomposites with Geopolymer MatrixFilip Brleković0Katarina Mužina1Tatjana Haramina2Stanislav Kurajica3Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Marulićev Trg 19, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Marulićev Trg 19, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lučića 5, 10002 Zagreb, CroatiaFaculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of Zagreb, Marulićev Trg 19, 10000 Zagreb, CroatiaThe objective of this study was to explore the potential of creating advanced insulating biocomposites using waste almond and hazelnut shells as particulate fillers, combined with a geopolymer binder, to develop sustainable materials with minimal environmental impact. Optimal conditions for the preparation of biocomposites were determined by measuring the compressive strengths. The aforementioned optimal conditions included a geopolymer to waste nutshell mass ratio of 2, room-temperature curing, and the use of metakaolin geopolymers activated with potassium solutions. Notably, the highest compressive strengths of 4.1 MPa for hazelnut shells biocomposite and 6.4 MPa for almond shells biocomposite were obtained with milk of lime pretreatment at 80 °C for 1 h. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses revealed better adhesion, as well as improved geopolymer gel polymerization. Furthermore, thermal conductivity and diffusivity measurements demonstrated values characteristic of insulating materials, reinforcing their potential for eco-friendly construction applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8783/5/2/31waste nutshellgeopolymersbiocompositescompressive strengththermal conductivity
spellingShingle Filip Brleković
Katarina Mužina
Tatjana Haramina
Stanislav Kurajica
Waste Nutshell Particulate Biocomposites with Geopolymer Matrix
Biomass
waste nutshell
geopolymers
biocomposites
compressive strength
thermal conductivity
title Waste Nutshell Particulate Biocomposites with Geopolymer Matrix
title_full Waste Nutshell Particulate Biocomposites with Geopolymer Matrix
title_fullStr Waste Nutshell Particulate Biocomposites with Geopolymer Matrix
title_full_unstemmed Waste Nutshell Particulate Biocomposites with Geopolymer Matrix
title_short Waste Nutshell Particulate Biocomposites with Geopolymer Matrix
title_sort waste nutshell particulate biocomposites with geopolymer matrix
topic waste nutshell
geopolymers
biocomposites
compressive strength
thermal conductivity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8783/5/2/31
work_keys_str_mv AT filipbrlekovic wastenutshellparticulatebiocompositeswithgeopolymermatrix
AT katarinamuzina wastenutshellparticulatebiocompositeswithgeopolymermatrix
AT tatjanaharamina wastenutshellparticulatebiocompositeswithgeopolymermatrix
AT stanislavkurajica wastenutshellparticulatebiocompositeswithgeopolymermatrix