Characterisation of ovis aries horn and cocos nucifera shell particles for hybridisation in polymeric composites.
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Date
2025
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Publisher
Faculty of Engineering, University of Abuja, Nigeria.
Abstract
The suitability of ovis aries (sheep) horn and Cocos nucifera (coconut) shell particles as hybrid reinforcement in
polymeric composites was investigated in this work. Ovis aries horn and Cocos nucifera shell particles were prepared
and characterised using TGA, XRF, FTIR, XRD, and SEM analyses. Both samples exhibited appreciable thermal
stability as revealed by the TGA curves. XRF analysis featured varied proportions of similar elemental and oxides
constituents known to possess good reinforcement characteristics, while SEM micrographs revealed that NaOH
treatment of Cocos nucifera shell particles had desirable effect on the fibres surface. XRD patterns of the NaOH
treated Cocos nucifera shell particles featured minor peak around 2θ = 35o, suggesting a little alteration in
crystallinity. FTIR analysis established the presence of amine groups and disulphide bond in the ovis aries horn, and
potentially reactive carbonyl, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups in the Cocos nucifera shell. Removal of waxy materials,
part of lignin and hemicellulose, and reduction in hydroxyl groups of Cocos nucifera shell particles after NaOH
treatment were confirmed by FTIR analysis. Hence, the potential of hybridising ovis aries horn and Cocos nucifera
shell particles as reinforcement in polymeric composites development is high.