The cellulose and starch present in the avocado seed can be chemically modified to obtain biofillers with fire retarding characteristics. The resulting composites could be used as substitute of the corresponding halogenated composites. For this, the avocado seed was first washed, dehydrated and pulverized, and thereafter, chemically modified with phosphoric acid in the presence of urea. This was studied using infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy, in order to determine the resulting chemical structure and confirm the presence of the proposed functional groups. In addition, scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis were used, respectively, to establish the resulting morphological changes, as well as the elements present on the surface of the modified material. Thermogravimetric analysis was also carried out in order to establish the thermal stability of the material and predict the effect on the flame retardancy due to the mentioned chemical modification. Further tests established that the obtained modified structure and morphology of the avocado seed was highly dependent on the method used to dehydrate the pulverized avocado seed. It was also determined that chemical modification greatly increased the thermal stability of the avocado seed in air atmosphere. The flame-retardant effect of the modified avocado seed was assessed in polyethylene/ethylene-vinyl-acetate (PE/EVA) composites via cone calorimeter tests. These results showed that the modified avocado seed decreased the peak of the heat release rate (pHRR) by 50% and the total heat released (THR) by 15%. This phosphated avocado seed could be a good option as a renewable biofiller for polymer composites with enhanced flame-retardant properties.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.