Aprovechamiento de la cáscara de Cacao para la elaboración de un biocomposito con aplicación en la construcción sostenible

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to evaluate a composite made of Cocoa Pod Husk (CPH) and polypropylene, both from San Vicente de Chucurí in Santander. First a physical and chemical characterization war carried out, where 85% of moisture content, 30% of reducing sugars and 7% of total ash were obtained. The composites where made in three different compositions, 70/30, 80/20 and 90/10 of polypropylene and CPH. Prior to the elaboration of these, it was carried out a treatment to the Cocoa pod husk with Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) as a coupling agent to improve its adhesion to the polypropylene matrix. Once the biocomposito was elaborated, the interfacial adhesion and water absorption was analyzed. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that de composites with treated CPH had better adhesion to the polypropylene in comparison with the ones with untreated CPH. The water absorption was reduced in the composites with the presence of SDS, mainly because of the hydrophobic properties of this coupling agent. Last but not least, sustainability was evaluated with the matrix of BREEM and LEED certifications, where the material obtained a score of 6/6 and 5/6 respectively, cataloging the material as sustainable.