Publication Date
2024
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
Vahabzadeh, Sahar
Second Advisor
Mahdi Vaezi
Degree Name
M.S. (Master of Science)
Legacy Department
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Abstract
The significant environmental challenges posed by traditional fossil fuel-derived plastics necessitate the exploration of sustainable alternatives. The global production of plastic has dramatically increased from 2 million tons in 1950 to 368 million tons in 2019, with projections exceeding 600 million tons by 2025. By 2040, the greenhouse gas emissions from the lifecycle of these plastics are expected to consume 19% of the global carbon budget. The United States alone produces nearly twice as much plastic waste as China and more than the entire European Union combined, highlighting the urgency of finding eco-friendly solutions.
Biocomposites, combining natural fibers with either natural or synthetic polymers, present a promising alternative. These materials are valued for their lightweight, renewable, and eco-friendly characteristics, making them suitable for various industries, including automotive, construction, and consumer goods.
This study focused on harnessing the potential of hemp (Cannabis Sativa) fibers to produce cost-effective and mechanically robust biocomposites. It involved creating composite pellets using both natural and synthetic polymers, examining the effects of hemp fiber concentration, fiber length, and the retting process on mechanical properties. The results indicated that larger hemp fibers provided greater strength, while finer fibers, which are easier to process, maintained the polymer's strength when used to replace one-third of the polymer, albeit with reduced ductility. For instance, adding 30% ground or powdered hemp fibers to HDPE resulted in a strength retention of 99% and 95%, respectively.
The study also explored the use of hemp fibers in 3D printing filaments, employing PLA and ASA polymers with varying hemp fiber concentrations and plasticizers. The findings demonstrated that hemp fibers acted primarily as fillers, reducing the need for additional colorants and yielding results comparable to market standards.
Additionally, the research investigated hemp fibers in producing green and biodegradable polymers for food-safe applications. When compared to pure PLA, using PLA-PHB hybrids and incorporating hemp fibers enhance the composite's stiffness and significantly improve its oxygen and water vapor barrier performance. As anticipated, the addition of natural-based plasticizers improves ductility without compromising barrier properties, although it significantly impacts the composites' strength. Overall, each composition tested in this study provides a unique combination of mechanical and barrier properties, making them suitable for various food packaging applications.
This comprehensive study highlights the potential of biocomposites incorporating hemp fibers as sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics, offering comparable mechanical properties and enhanced environmental benefits for various industrial applications.
Recommended Citation
Faghani, Mohammad, "Producing Biocomposites from Hemp Residues" (2024). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 7959.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/7959
Extent
338 pages
Language
en
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
