DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIALS IN THE CONCEPT OF DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABILITY FROM AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE USING MICROWAVE PYROLYSIS

• Grant number: 23/07964-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: November 01, 2023
• Status: Discontinued
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Edson Cocchieri Botelho
• Grantee: Tayra Rodrigues Brazil
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEG). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Guaratinguetá. Guaratinguetá , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/05202-5 - DEVELOPMENT OF MATERIALS IN THE CONCEPT OF DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABILITY FROM AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE USING MICROWAVE PYROLYSIS, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

The pollution of the environment and the scarcity of renewable resources have directly impacted society, causing damage to public health and the environment, as well as destabilizing the economy. With this concerning scenario, the implementation of effective processes to produce sustainable materials from agricultural and industrial waste is of great importance, posing a challenge both in the academic and industrial fields. Microwave pyrolysis is a standout process as it is more energetically sustainable compared to the conventional conduction and convection methods due to its rapidity. Additionally, the use of agricultural waste for obtaining new materials contributes to a sustainable economy by adding value to said waste. In this context, this proposed project aims to produce activated carbon (AC) in an adapted microwave furnace from agricultural waste in the presence of different chemical agents. The obtained ACs will then be tested as adsorbents in water purification and subsequently regenerated for reuse as adsorbents or fillers in the production of hybrid composites, aiming to obtain materials with good electromagnetic and mechanical properties. This is a research frontier that has gained attention in recent years due to technological advances. The electromagnetic interference generated during the operation of electronic devices has started to cause damage, consequently affecting the functioning of electronic devices. Currently, the most studied fillers are carbon nanotubes and graphene, but they are high-cost materials, making it difficult to expand the market. Considering the above, AC stands out for its good properties and is viable to be used as a filler in these composites. All materials obtained in this proposal will be extensively characterized to assess the feasibility of the process and determine the best applicability of the produced materials. This research project will be developed at the São Paulo State University (UNESP), which offers excellent infrastructure for the execution of this proposal, combined with the extensive experience of the supervisor Prof. Dr. Edson Cocchieri Botelho. Furthermore, this project benefits from the collaboration of renowned national and international researchers specialized in the subject, who will support the development of this project. Innovative research is necessary for the country's development, and thus, the motivation arises to obtain materials through microwave pyrolysis, aiming for lower costs and environmental damage.