Characterisation of carbonate lake sediments as a potential filler for polymer composites

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine whether lake sediments could be a potential raw material for the plastics industry. The examined samples were obtained in a complex process of sediment collection from Lake Swarzędzkie located in the region of Wielkopolska, Poland, followed by granulometric analysis by sieving and quartz grain shape analysis, with preparation of geotechnical sheets. The works involved the examination of physico-chemical characteristics of carbonate lake sediments and the analysis of impact of the sediments’ depth extraction on their chemical composition and physico-chemical properties. The lake sediment consists mainly of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and can be a potential filler for plastics. Tests were carried out to determine chemical composition of the sediments and their thermal stability. The thermogravimetric analysis showed the three stages of the thermal decomposition. Sediments in deeper layers of the lake are characterised by the presence of not only CaCO3 and silica, but also other chemical compounds, including aluminosilicates. In addition, as the depth increases, the average size of sediment particles changes, with the main fraction particle size being the smallest for the material from the 6–12 m depth. Additionally, carbon content systematically decreases with increasing depth.

The 3D-Printed (FDM/FFF) Biocomposites Based on Polylactide and Carbonate Lake Sediments—Towards a Circular Economy

“…The main components of SedA and SedB were CaCO3 and SiO2 [24]. However, as the sampling depth increased, components such as mullite, kaolinite, muscovite, anhydrite, dolomite, or aluminosilicate, and sulfate (SedB) also appeared in the sample [29]. Diffractograms of 3D-printed composites with SedA and SedB showed reflections originating from PLA at angles of 14, 16, and 32 (2 θ), indicating the presence of the alpha The main components of SedA and SedB were CaCO 3 and SiO 2 [24].…”

“…Ageing in the climate chamber caused an increase in the surface irregularities of the composite, which resulted in a decrease in the surface contact angle. In the case of the sedA filler, a greater reduction in the contact angle value was observed, which was due to the presence of a higher amount of calcium carbonate compared with the SedB filler samples [29], which were highly hydrophilic [30]. The decrease in contact angle was almost 20 • in some cases.…”

“…Diffractograms of 3D-printed composites with SedA and SedB showed reflections originating from PLA at angles of 14, 16, and 32 (2 θ), indicating the presence of the alpha The main components of SedA and SedB were CaCO 3 and SiO 2 [24]. However, as the sampling depth increased, components such as mullite, kaolinite, muscovite, anhydrite, dolomite, or aluminosilicate, and sulfate (SedB) also appeared in the sample [29]. Diffractograms of 3D-printed composites with SedA and SedB showed reflections originating from PLA at angles of 14, 16, and 32 (2 θ), indicating the presence of the alpha crystalline form of PLA and a broadening corresponding to the amorphous form of PLA (heat treatment in FDM produces amorphous PLA as a non-crystalline peak [31]).…”