Progress and challenges in sustainability, compatibility, and production of eco‐composites: A state‐of‐art review

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 138; no. 43
• Main Authors: Nassar, Mahmoud M. A., Alzebdeh, Khalid I., Pervez, Tasneem, Al‐Hinai, Nasr, Munam, Abdul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 15-11-2021; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: agro‐residue; characterization; Commercialization; eco‐composite; functionalization; Knowledge acquisition; Literature reviews; Materials science; Mechanical properties; natural fibers; Polymer matrix composites; Polymers; processing; State-of-the-art reviews
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.51284

Owing to economic and environmental benefits, new generations of materials/commodities follow “from waste to wealth” strategy. Recently, there has been a huge upsurge in research on the development of eco‐composites using recycled plastic polymers and agro‐residues because the eco‐composites satisfy the stringent environment regulations and are cost‐effective. Herein, we present a detailed review on the potential use of several types of natural fillers as an efficient reinforcement for recycled plastic polymers. In particular, the characterization of different categories of eco‐composites according to their morphological, physical, thermal, and mechanical properties is extensively reviewed and their results are analyzed, compared, and highlighted. Furthermore, a framework to produce functional eco‐composites, which includes functionalization of ingredients, critical issues on microstructural parameters, processing, and fabrication methods, is outlined and supported with sufficient data from the literature. Finally, the review outlines the emerging challenges and future prospects of eco‐composites to be addressed by interested researchers to bridge the gap between research and commercialization of such a class of material. Overall, the acquired knowledge will guide researchers, scientists, and manufacturers to plan, select, and develop various forms of eco‐composites with enhanced properties and optimized production processes.
This detailed review paper makes an introduction to a class of bio composites denoted as “eco‐composites”. Then, it reviews the characterization of material behavior including morphological, physical, thermal, and mechanical properties. A framework of high‐performance eco‐composites production which includes natural fiber composition and treatment, functionalization of polymers and natural fillers, production framework of eco‐composites is outlined and discussed. At the end, it presents main challenges and future perspectives to be pursued by interested researchers.