Valorization of date seeds wastes as reinforcement for Starch-grafted-polypropylene composites

Abstract

Paper discusses the possibility of incorporation of date seed waste as fillers (DSF) into starch-g-PP matrices compared to kenaf fibers (KF with two  lengths) based composites. Three starch-g-PP matrices (G906PF, G906PJ and G720PJ) were studied in parallel to a fully PP one. The investigated composites loaded to 20 wt.%, showed differences in performance related, principally, to loading type (DSF, KF) and matrix used. Results showed an  improvement of tensile and impact stress at break as well as Shore D hardness of starch-g-PP composites reinforced with date seed fillers (DSF) or kenaf  fibers (KF). Further, tensile, storage and loss moduli increased also with loading. Vicat softening point of either KF or DSF/starch-g-PP composites was  greater with higher values for KF composites. However, thermal stability of starch-g-PP composites was better when DSF was used.