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Journal of Polymer & Composites Review Article Special issue

A Comprehensive Review of Green Hybrid Polymer–Inorganic Composite Systems Incorporating Palm Tree Ash and Titanium Dioxide

  1. Michel Theivadurai G. Department of Civil Engineering, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai
  2. M. HemaPriya Department of Civil Engineering, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai
  3. R. Karthikeyan Department of Civil Engineering, Chennai Institute of Technology
  4. J. Faney Department of Civil Engineering, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai

Abstract

The increasing requests on sustainable and high performance systems have motivated extensive investigations on polymer-based hybrid systems with bio-derived and/or functional inorganic fillers. In this review, the importance of palm tree ash (PTA) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as synergistic fillers for polymer–inorganic hybrid composites, particularly about structure–property relations, interfacial adhesion and durability performance, is discussed. Agricultural waste-derived palm tree ash (PTA) plays as a silica-rich filler which not only aids matrix densification, filler–matrix adhesion and long-term mechanical stability in polymer composites, but also serves to mitigate an environmental hazard. Conversely, TiO₂ is mainly considered as a functional micro- and nanoscale filler, offering an improvement of particle packing, interfacial transition zone behaviour, and stiffness at early ages by means of physical reinforcement and nucleation-like effect in polymer matrices. Current findings from literature reveal that the dual inclusion of PTA and TiO₂ results in an enhancement of mechanical strength through synergetic strengthening mechanisms such as higher stress transfer, crack-deflection toughness and microstructural homogeneity than the individual fillers. While related densification processes are frequently cited in the context of inorganic binder systems, this review also discusses how related performance improvement trends can be translated into polymer composite design, particularly for thermoset and polymer-binder based systems. Overall, the investigated PTA–TiO2 based hybrid polymer composite offers an attractive route to the production of green multifunctional composite materials following the principles of circular economy and sustainable polymer engineering, thus paving the way for further technological advancements.

Keywords

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