Biochar was synthesized from biomass (jatropha seeds) through a low microwave pyrolysis temperature of 180 °C with microwave power of 2kW. A ball milling process reduced the jatropha seed biochar size and converted it into micro-nano carbon biofiller. After ball milling, the biochar size was reduced from 1 to 3 mm to the 10 µm to 600 nm range, which is around a 90% reduction in size. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis were used to determine the jatropha seed biofillers properties with respect to the ball milling processes. BET results revealed increasing surface area from 0.10 to 3.67 m2/g, and EDS results revealed the elemental composition of the jatropha seed biofillers. The carbon mass percentage increased from 72.6 to 81.2%. Both results were after ball milling for 30 hours. The FTIR results revealed an increase in transmittance intensity and some reduction in peaks after ball milling. Production of micro-nano carbon fillers from microwave pyrolysis jatropha seeds biochar are applicable as reinforcement fillers for high strength composite material fabrications. Scanning electron microscopy, EDS, FTIR, and BET analysis results indicated size reduction of the biochar with increased carbon content from 72.6 to 81.2% as surface area increased from 0.10 to 3.67 m2/g after 30 hours of ball milling.

This review study and explores the extraction and potential application of cellulose and nanocellulose from solid waste. Among different types of solid waste agricultural solid waste was found the most prominent for the formation of cellulose and nanocellulose. Factors affecting the properties of cellulose and nanocellulose were identified and discussed throughout the manuscript by referring reports on numerous case studies. The utilization of selected lignocellulosic biomass to produce cellulose and nanocellulose could decrease the amount of solid waste dumped on the landfills. Currently, raising awareness upon environmental issues and sustainability for the academicians, manufacturers, and policy makers to focus toward generating more biodegradable polymer products by reducing usage of nondegradable polymer products. Therefore, this study provides a review of various case studies in support of the production of cellulose and nanocellulose from solid waste, which offered the potential and possibility of commercialization of cellulose and nanocellulose products using existing conventional methods.

The morphological and thermal properties of composites containing a bioplastic blend and micro/nano-sized biochar from pyrolyzed jatropha seeds from microwave pyrolyzed jatropha seeds were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The biocomposite samples exhibited a brittle structure with a slightly ductile chip-like appearance. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results for the PLA/PEMA/BC bio-composites were comparable to the PLA/BC biocomposites. A lower bio-filler content had more pronounced peak intensities than the higher bio-filler content biocomposites. The added PEMA compatibilizer in the PLA/PEMA/BC biocomposite showed more pronounced peaks, which indicated slightly improved bonding/interaction between the bio-filler and the matrix. Overall, increasing bio-filler content did not drastically affect the functional groups of the biocomposites. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed the developed biocomposites had a slight improvement in thermal stability, in comparison to the PLA sample. Improvements in the thermal stability of the PLA/PEMA/BC biocomposite could be attributed to the additional hydroxyl group, which was due to the added PEMA in the PLA and PLA/BC. According to the results of the analysis of the developed biocomposites, the biocomposites were more brittle and had reasonable thermal stability.

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