Browsing by Author "Lephuthing, Senzeni Sipho"

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    Development and characterization of moringa oleifera fruit waste pod derived particulate cellulosic reinforced epoxy bio-composites for structural applications
    (Elsevier, 2022-06-20) Oladele, Isiaka Oluwole; Ogunwande, Gabriel Seun; Taiwo, Anuoluwapo Samuel; Lephuthing, Senzeni Sipho
    The desire for environment-friendly materials and sustainability has brought a paradigm shift in the way engineers and the entire material research community thinks while attempting to develop new material, particularly for engineering applications. This study is carried out to underscore the suitability of particulate moringa oleifera fruit pod (MOFP) reinforced epoxy bio-composites on selected properties for structural applications. The dried waste fruit pods were processed as calcined and pulverized fruit pod particulates, respectively. Their respective bio-composites were developed by blending the selected materials in predetermined proportions using the open mould processing method. The MOFP particles were characterized with SEM/EDS and XRD while mechanical and wear properties of the developed bio-composites were evaluated. The results showed that the pulverized MOFP reinforced epoxy bio-composites showed improved properties than the calcined MOFP bio-composites in most of the properties considered. This was noticed to be due to the presence of more elemental constituents and at higher proportions in pulverized particles than in the calcined particles. It was discovered that 15 wt.% pulverized MOFP reinforced epoxy bio-composites gave about 67.9%, 28.7%, 8.8%, and 8.8% enhancement and with a value of 70.2 HS, 39.02 MPa, 198.4 MPa, and 753.28 MPa in hardness, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and tensile modulus, respectively to emerge as the reinforcement content with the optima properties. Based on the findings, MOFP particles reinforced epoxy-based biocomposites can be used in applications where stiffness and high strength are not essential requirements; packaging applications; in electrical component applications such as circuit boards, and cables due to their low thermal conductivity.
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    Mechanical, wear and thermal conductivity characteristics of snail shell-derived hydroxyapatite reinforced epoxy bio-composites for adhesive biomaterials applications
    (Taylor and Francis, 2022-06-06) Oluwole Oladele, Isiaka; Onuh, Linus; Taiwo, Anuoluwapo Samuel; Borisadea, Sunday; Itua Agbeboh, Newton; Lephuthing, Senzeni Sipho
    This research investigates the effects of snail shell-based hydroxyapatite (HAp) reinforcements on the mechanical, wear, and selected physical properties of epoxy-based composites. The exploitation of these properties was aimed at assessing the suitability and efficiency of the developed bio-composites for adhesive biomedical applications. Snail shell wastes were sourced and processed to obtain (HAp) particles of ˂20 μm. The bio-derived hydroxyapatite-based epoxy composites were produced using the stir-cast method by mixing the hydroxyapatite with the epoxy resin and hardener before pouring into the moulds where they are allowed to cure. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) of the snail shell hydroxyapatite particles were carried out while mechanical, wear, and physical properties of the developed composites were evaluated. SEM images of the fracture surfaces were also examined. The results showed that enhancements occurred from the addition of snail shell-derived HAp to epoxy resin in the developed composites. The results revealed that most of the properties gave their optimum values when 15 wt.% reinforcement was used. At this weight fraction, optimum values were obtained which include 43 MPa for maximum flexural strength, 40HS for hardness, 40 J for impact, 0.35 W/mK for thermal conductivity, and 0.07 for wear index.
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    Modern trends in recycling waste thermoplastics and their prospective applications: a review
    (MDPI, 2023-05-13) Oladele, Isiaka Oluwole; Okoro, Christian Junior; Taiwo, Anuoluwapo Samuel; Onuh, Linus N.; Agbeboh, Newton Itua; Balogun, Oluwayomi Peter; Olubambi, Peter Apata; Lephuthing, Senzeni Sipho
    Thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics are two major classes of polymers in that have recently become materials that are indispensable for humankind. Regarding the three basic needs of human beings—food, shelter, and clothing—polymers and polymer-based materials have gained pre-eminence. Polymers are used in food production, beginning with farming applications, and in the health sector for the development of various biomaterials, as well as in shelter and clothing for a variety of applications. Polymers are the material of choice for all modern-day applications (transportation, sporting, military/defence, electronics, packaging, and many more). Their widespread applications have created many negative challenges, mainly in the area of environmental pollution. While thermoplastics can be easily reprocessed to obtain new products, thermosetting plastics cannot; thus, this review focuses more on the use of waste from thermoplastics with less emphasis on thermosetting plastics. Hence, the review presents a concise summary of the availability of waste thermoplastics as raw materials for product development and the anticipated benefits. The prospects for waste thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics, the possibility of cleaning the environment, and the uncovering of opportunities for further research and development are presented. The limitations of the current methods of waste polymer recycling are highlighted with possible future prospects from newly introduced methods. With zero tolerance for polymer waste in our environments, potential uses for recycled thermosetting plastics are described. Waste polymers should be seen as potential raw materials for research and development as well as major materials for new products. Recycled polymers are expected to be processed for use in advanced materials applications in the future due to their availability. This review shows that the major source of environmental pollution from polymers is the packaging, hence the need to modify products for these applications by ensuring that most of them are biodegradable.