Strengthening Natural Rubber with Activated Carbon from Cassava Rhizome Waste: Cure Characteristics, Physical, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties
Abstract
This study aims to develop a bio-reinforcing filler from cassava rhizome waste, a common agricultural residue in northeastern Thailand that generates a significant amount of waste annually. The waste was turned into activated carbon (AC) by activating it with potassium hydroxide (KOH) and microwave irradiation. AC was then used as a reinforcing agent in natural rubber (NR) composites. The effects of KOH concentration and AC content on the cure characteristics, as well as the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the composites, were investigated. At optimal AC content, scorch time decreased by 13.74%, torque difference increased by 17.20%, and cure time was reduced by 2.90%. Mechanical properties improved with higher AC content, with AC prepared at lower KOH concentration exhibiting superior performance. The swelling index decreased with increasing AC content, indicating enhanced solvent resistance. Utilizing cassava rhizome-derived AC offers significant environmental benefits by repurposing agricultural waste. Future research could optimize preparation processes to further enhance performance and explore industrial applications. This study highlights the potential of cassava waste as an eco-friendly and sustainable filler for rubber composites.
Keywords
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