International Journal of Material Science Innovations (IJMSI) 1 (3): 133-141, 2013 ISSN 2289-4063 Academic Research Online Publisher

Research Article Characterization of Carbonized Dikanut Shell (IRVINGIA WOMBOLU) and Carbonized Rubber Seed Shell (HEVEA BRASILIENSIS) Fillers
Tenebe O.G1, Madufor I.C1, Ayo M.D2, Ichetaonye S.I3, Nwiuelo G.K1
1 2

Department of Polymer and Textile Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Department of Polymer Technology, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi. Department of Polymer and Textile Technology, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.

E-mail: teneosigab@yahoo.com. Tel: +2348069332769

ARTICLE INFO Accepted: 27June2013

Abstract Samples of dikanut and rubber seed shells were carbonized at varying temperatures (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 and 800oc) for three hours each and sieved through a 150m screen. The portion of the dikanut and rubber seed shell carbon that was passed through the screen was characterized in terms of loss on ignition, PH, moisture content, bulk density and iodine adsorption number respectively. The characterization results show that PH, iodine adsorption number and loss on ignition increases with carbonization temperature, moisture content decreases, unlike bulk density which decreases and increases with carbonization temperature.

Keywords: Dikanut Rubber seed Carbonization Shell

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1. Introduction

Apart from the base polymers, fillers are the next materials in terms of volume that is required in the rubber industry. The most commonly used fillers are calcium carbonate, china clay, carbon black, etc. of these fillers, carbon black is the one mostly used for rubber products except where colouration is of great priority [1]. Due to the expensive nature and non-renewability of carbon black, there arises the need to source for an alternative locally sourced agricultural by-products with little modifications [2]. Having discovered that agricultural by-products can serve as potential reinforcement to rubber products, there is therefore need to compare these filler reinforcements. One way of achieving these extensions of service life of these rubber products is the incorporation of additives into the polymer matrix. The use of agricultural by-products as fillers for renewable polymer additives tried by several authors has drastically taken it position in the polymer industry. Fillers, as one of the

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major additives used in natural rubber compounds are either used raw or modified. These fillers function to modify the physical and to some extent, the chemical properties of the vulcanizates [3,4].

OBJECTIVES To study the effect of carbonization temperature on the filler characteristics. To investigate the effect of carbonized dikanut and carbonized rubber seed shells Combating agricultural by-products as a route to renewable polymer additives. To compare the reinforcing potentials of the fillers.

2. Experimental procedures 2.1. Materials Rubber seed shells were obtained from Rubber Research Institute, Iyanomoh, Benin City. The dikanut shells were obtained from Leventis farms, Agenebode, Edo State. Muffle Furnace METTm-525 was used for the carbonization of the dikanut shell and rubber seed shells [5].

2.2. Filler Carbonization and Characterization The dikanut shell and rubber seed shell were washed in water and dried in air to remove sand particles and moisture respectively. After drying, half of the dikanut shell and rubber seed shells were milled to fine powder as well as the carbonized portion, and sieved through a mesh size of 100m. The fine particles that passed through were collected and used for compounding. The fillers were carbonized at varying temperatures from 100, 200, 300, 400, 500,600, 700 and 800oC and were characterized in terms of Iodine value, Moisture content, Loss on ignition, Bulk density and pH respectively [6,7].

3. Results and discussion

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Tenebe O.G et al. / International Journal of Material Science Innovations (IJMSI) 1 (3): 133-141, 2013 Table 1: Characteristics of the Powdered Fillers
Carbonization temperature (oc) Loss Ignition on Bulk Density (g/ml) Iodine Adsorption number (mg/g) Moisture content (%) PH of slurry at 28oc (1.97) [1.90] (1.00) [1.00] (0.42) [0.38] (0.12) [0.10] (0.09) [0.08] (0.04) [0.04] (0.02) [0.02] (0.01) [0.01] (2.20) [2.00] 0.90 (5.70) [4.79] (5.95) [5.20] (6.25) [5.30] (6.40) [5.75] (6.80) [6.10] (7.96) [6.20] (8.48) [7.70] (9.23) [8.77] (5.40) [4.10] 6.50

100

(6.80) [7.10]

(0.77) [0.75] (0.71) [0.65] (0.79) [0.78] (0.69) [0.68] (0.66) [0.63] (0.79) [0.70] (0.70) [0.66] (0.60) [0.61] (0.80) [0.91] 0.58

(50.54) [20.12] (50.96) [36.50] (53.30) [47.20] (55.62) [50.44] (66.75) [61.20] (78.10) [66.70] (77.81) [65.00] (74.40) [57.20] (19.96) [20.00] 80.78

200

(28.40) [29.00]

300

(57.20) [60.00]

400

(65.40) [73.80]

500

(74.50) [77.00]

600

(77.00) [77.80]

700

(82.00) [81.82]

800

(91.40) [82.81]

Uncarbonized

(6.40) [7.00]

N330 carbon

92.85

Key: Dikanut shell Carbon (

), Rubber seed shell Carbon [ ]

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Fig 1: Effect of Carbonization Temperature on Iodine Value

Natural fibres are derived from lignocelluloses containing strongly polarized hydroxyl group, hence hydrophilic in nature. Most fibres contain cellulose, lignin, water-soluble compounds, waxes, hemicelluloses etc., where lignin, hemicelluloses and celluloses are the major constituents [2]. The hydrophilic nature of fibres causes the fibre to swell considerably and ultimately rotten through the fungi attack. The major causes of this biodegradation are the presence of hemicelluloses in natural fibres, whereas lignin is prone to Ultra-violet degradation but thermally stable [8]. Carbonization is aimed at curbing this short comings posed by natural fibres for use in rubber vulcanizates [3,9].

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Fig 2: Effect of Carbonization Temperature on Moisture Content

Fig 3: Effect of Carbonization Temperature on Loss on Ignition

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Fig 4: Effect of Carbonization Temperature on Bulk Density

Fig 5: Effect of Carbonization Temperature on PH

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The iodine adsorption number from Table 1, shown in Figure 1, reveals that the amount of iodine adsorbed per 100gram of the materials increases with increasing filler carbonization temperature. One important application of iodine adsorption number is that it elicits the surface area of the material and indicates the microstructure of the filler and reflects its reaction and adsorption abilities [10]. An increase in the surface activities results in higher modulus at higher strain, higher abrasion resistance and lower hyteresis [11]. The maximum iodine adsorption number 66.70mg/100g for RSSC and 78.10mg/100g for DNSC represent the adsorbed iodine which is formed when the carbonization temperature reaches 600oC; eliciting the fact that the maximum surface area occurs at this temperature. The surface area value is much smaller when carbonizing at low temperature (100oc) due to the low porosity resulting from incomplete carbonization. At higher temperature (>600oC), the porosity reduces, thus, some cavities have been burnt and the corresponding surface area reduced. At 800oC, the surface area value is small too [12]. The moisture content of the filler is often used to predict the degree of defects arising from shrinkage during curing particularly for products processed at elevated temperatures. The relationship between moisture contents of the fillers as a function of the carbonization temperatures is shown in Figure 2. The moisture content decreases from 2.00 - 0.01 for RSSC and 2.20 - 0.01 for DNSC. While that of N300 carbon black was 0.90. However, the amount of water present in a sample decreases as carbonization temperature increases since the boiling point of water is 100oC [13,14]. It can be seen from Table 1 and Figure 3 that the loss on ignition increases from 7.00 82.81% for RSSC and 6.40 - 91.40% for DNSC with an increase in carbonization temperature. The loss on ignition percentage increased rapidly with increasing temperature up to 800oc caused by almost complete vulcanization of the volatile matter at temperature > 600oc. However, the loss on ignition for DNSC is 91.40 which is higher than that of RSSC suggesting a high amount of carbon present and hence better reinforcement of natural rubber than RSSC. Thus; the loss on ignition of N330 carbon black is 92.85% showing superior reinforcement than either RSSC or DNSC [8,15] The bulk density of RSSC and DNSC samples shown in Figure 4 varied between 0.61- 0.91g/ml and 0.60-080g/ml respectively. Bulk density is principally influenced by the particle size and structure of the fibre and the lower the particle size, the lower the bulk density and therefore better the interaction between the polymer matrix and the reinforcing fibre which will thus enhance the vulcanizate processing and improve quality of the final product as desirable properties of fibre include excellent tensile strength and modulus, high durability, low bulk density, good moldability and recyclability [10] Table 1 also show that at high temperature, the bulk density reduces showing that the interstitial spaces (micro-pores) in the carbon residue is opened and thus resulting in easy compaction and interaction with the polymer matrix [8,16]. The trend of PH of the powdered fillers as a function of carbonization temperature given in Table 1 shown in Figure 5 varied over a range of 4.10 - 8.77 for RSSC and 5.40 9.23 for DNSC. The results show a progressive increase in PH from acidic to alkalinity with an increase in carbonization temperature. This is possible because residuals materials are being lost in combustion, leading to the alkalinity. However, PH at acidity level tends to slow cure rate and hence reduce the cross-links density which in forms the choice of fast accelerators and activators in the mixing formulation. The PH of N330 carbon black is 6.50, which is close to that of RSSC at 600oC and DNSC at 400oC respectively [3].
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4. Conclusion The main aim of this research work is to examine the filler carbonization temperature of the dikanut shell and rubber seed shells and its influence on the characteristics properties of the Fillers. However the fillers exhibit high quality characteristics at carbonization temperature of 600oC. This indicate that for both the dikanut shell and rubber seed shells as reinforcing fillers, carbonization should be done at 600oc for 3hours.

REFERENCES [1] Driver W.E. (1979): Plastics Chemistry and Technology. Van Nostrand company, London. [2] Ayo M. D. (2010): Effects of Carbonization Temperature on The Mechanical and Swollen behaviour of Natural Rubber Filled Groundnut shell. [3] Eichhom, S. J., Baillie, C. A., Zafeiropoulos, N., Mwaikambo, L.Y., Ansell, M. P., Dufresne, A. (2001): Current International Research into Cellulosic Fibres and Composites. Journal of Material Science.36(9); 2107-3144. [4] Imanah, J.E., Okieimen, F.E. (2003); Journal of Applied Science, Vol. 9, Pp 3718-3722. [5] Blow, C.M. and Hepburn, C. (1971): Rubber Technology and Manufacture, Butterworth and Company Ltd, 3rd Edition, London. [6] ASTMD 1509: Standard Test Method for Moisture Content (1983) [7] Allcock, H.R. and Lampe, F.W. (1990): Contemporary Polymer Chemistry Second Edition. Prentice Hall Inc., New Jersey. [8] Akpa, F.A.O. (2005): Polymers in Engineering Applications. Jireh Publisher, Benin City, Nigeria. [9] Sukru, Y.O., Zlem, C, and Ahmet, C. (2008): The Effects of Fibre Contents on the Mechanical Properties of Adobes, Construction and Building Materials, Pp22. [10] Ahmedna, M., Johnson, M., Ckarke, S.J., Marshal, W.E. and Rao, R.M. (1997): Potentials of Agricultural by-Product Based Activated Carbon for use in Raw Sugar Decolonization. J Sci. Food Agric 75; 117-124. [11] Akpa, F.A.O. (2005): The Synthesis and Conversion Processes of Polymers. Jireh Publishers, Benin City, Nigeria. [12] Imanah J.E, and Okeimen F.E. (2004): Studies in the Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber Reinforced with Agricultural byProducts, Proceedings of the 27th International Conference of the Chemical Society of Nigeria, CSNpp. 317-322. [13] ASTMD 1512: Standard Test Method for PH (1983).

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[14] Ekebafe L.O., Ayo M.D. Eguare, K.O.and Ugbesia S.O. (2010): Effect of Chemical Modification of Powdered Rubber Seed Shell as Filler on the Tensile Properties of Natural Rubber Compounds. Journal of Polymer Science and Technology.1113-1119 [15] ASTMD 7348: Standard Test Method for Loss on Ignition (1983) [16] Ahmedna , M., Marshal, W.E. and Rao, R.M.(2000); Bioresourses Technology, Vol 71, 113-123.

Authors Biography Tenebe O.G is a doctoral student of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria; he holds a Master of Science in Polymer Science of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. His research interest is in filler-polymer matrix interactions. Madufor I.C, lectures at the Department of Polymer and Textile Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri Nigeria. He is a Registered engineer; member, Polymer Institute of Nigeria. Engr. Prof.. Madufor areas of research interest include filler-polymer matrix interactions, use of naturals fibers in polymer modification Mark Dada Ayo, is a lecturer at the Polymer Technology Department, Auchi Polytechnic, Nigeria. He is a member of the Polymer Institute of Nigeria (PIN) and Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN). He is currently undertaking his doctoral studies at the Federal University of technology Owerri, Nigeria, where he obtained his Master of Science degree in Polymer Science and Engineering. His research interests include Polymer composites, fillers from agricultural by-products and adhesives. Nwiuelo G.K is a doctoral student of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria; he holds a Master of Science in Polymer Science of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. His research interest is in filler-polymer matrix interactions. Ichetaonye S.I, lectures at the Department of Polymer and Textile Engineering, Yaba college of Technolofy, Lagos Nigeria. He is a Registered engineer; member, Polymer Institute of Nigeria. Engr. Prof.. Madufor areas of research interest is filler-polymer matrix interactions.

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