K. Z. M. Abdul Motaleb “Development of sustainable nonwovens and composites from plant wastes” doctoral dissertation defense

Author, Institution: K. Z. M. Abdul Motaleb, Kaunas University of Technology

Science area, field of science: Technological Sciences, Materials Engineering, T008

Scientific Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Rimvydas Milašius (Kaunas University of Technology, Technological Sciences, Materials Engineering, T008)

Dissertation Defence Board of Materials Engineering Science Field:
Prof. Dr. Daiva Mikučionienė (Kaunas University of Technology, Technological Sciences, Materials Engineering, T008) – chairperson
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hab. Marcin Barburski (Lodz University of Technology, Poland, Technological Sciences, Materials Engineering, T008)
Chief Researcher Viktoras Grigaliūnas (Kaunas University of Technology, Technological Sciences, Materials Engineering, T008)
Prof. Dr. Malgorzata Matusiak (Lodz University of Technology, Poland, Technological Sciences, Materials Engineering, T008)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kristina Žukienė (Kaunas University of Technology, Technological Sciences, Materials Engineering, T008)

Dissertation defence meeting will be at Rectorate Hall of Kaunas University of Technology (K. Donelaičio 73 – 402, Kaunas)

The doctoral dissertation is available at the library of Kaunas University of Technology (Gedimino 50, Kaunas)

Annotation: The escalating global environmental crisis caused by synthetic polymers has spurred the demand for biomaterial research. Traditional materials have been replaced by synthetic polymers because of their low cost and ease of processing. However, this change has led to severe environmental issues such as plastic pollution, increased fossil fuel use, and climate change. To counter these challenges, there is a growing focus on eco-friendly practices, sustainable materials, and waste utilization. In this context, this dissertation explored unconventional natural fibers extracted from plant waste, such as banana, water hyacinth, and sugarcane bagasse fibers, transforming them into nonwoven materials by we laid web formation, and integrating them into two types of polymer matrixes such as bio-based epoxy and unsaturated polyester resins to develop various types of composites. Surface treatments were applied in different stages of material developments, for example, alkali treatment on the fiber surface to improve the mechanical properties, water repellent treatment on the nonwoven surface to improve the hydrophobicity, and gamma radiation on the composite surface also to improve the mechanical properties and of the nonwovens as well as composites. The outcomes demonstrate that these materials exhibit improved hydrophobicity and mechanical properties after treatment. Water hyacinth nonwovens and composites stand out with mechanical properties and hydrophobicity superior to those of others. Similarly, the epoxy composite showed significantly higher mechanical properties and hydrophobicity compared to polyester matrix composites. These findings pave the way for a range of applications, from packaging materials to construction panels, offering economically viable and environmentally sustainable solutions.