Biomass-based Fillers for Polymers

How to Apply

Interested in participating in this research project? Contact the professor or graduate student listed below.

Professor

Dr. Erol Sancaktar (Polymer Engineering) | erol@uakron.edu

Graduate Students

Stephen Riley | srr57@zips.uakron.edu
Udayan Dabke | ujd2@zips.uakron.edu
Mohammed Al-Salloum | mya14@zips.uakron.edu

Project Description

Pyrolyzed (process of low or no oxygen thermal decomposition –carbonization- to convert biomass into clean and renewable carbon products) biomass obtained from agricultural products such as soybean hulls, sorghum etc., is used as a renewable, low cost and eco-friendly material which has large potential for reinforcement or functionality-inducing (such as electrical, thermal conductivity) filler for polymeric materials. For example, even if the pyrolized biomass extended composites of polyolefins constitute a small percentage of total production (say 10%), the added value to the related agricultural producers can amount to approximately ten billion dollars considering that pyrolized bimass can be added in up to 50 wt% proportions to the composites of PE, PP and other polyolefins.

Project Date

Open

Search Terms

Advanced Materials, Sustainability, For Credit, Non-Credit, STEM