In the heart of Brazil’s northeastern region, a team of researchers led by Emanuella de Araújo Carvalho from the Federal University of Campina Grande has been exploring an innovative approach to enhance the properties of membranes derived from babassu coconut mesocarp. Their findings, published in the journal ‘Materials Research’ (translated from Portuguese), could have significant implications for the energy sector, particularly in the development of more efficient and sustainable technologies.
The study focused on the use of honey and glycerol as plasticizers to improve the mechanical properties, wetting, and swelling behavior of babassu-based membranes. “We were inspired by the natural abundance of babassu coconut in our region and the need to find sustainable solutions for industrial applications,” Carvalho explained. The team developed membranes with varying concentrations of honey (80% and 100% w/w) and glycerol (30% and 40% w/w) to evaluate their impact on the material’s performance.
The results were promising. Plasticized membranes exhibited more homogeneous surfaces and reduced swelling due to the pore-filling effect of the plasticizers. Thermal analysis revealed that while the pure membrane (MP) showed two main events—dehydration and polymer degradation—the plasticized membranes displayed an additional event linked to plasticizer release. This suggests that the incorporation of honey and glycerol not only enhances the mechanical properties but also alters the thermal behavior of the membranes.
Mechanically, the plasticized membranes showed a significant improvement in elongation at break, with MM80 and MG30 achieving values of 10.60% and 16.95%, respectively. “The enhanced mechanical properties make these membranes more versatile and suitable for a range of applications,” Carvalho noted. The tensile strength of the plasticized membranes, while lower than the pure membrane, was still substantial, indicating a good balance between flexibility and strength.
The hydrophilic nature of the membranes, particularly the higher polarity of MM80 and MM100, opens up possibilities for use in applications requiring water interaction, such as in fuel cells or water filtration systems. The reduced swelling behavior also suggests potential for use in environments where dimensional stability is crucial.
This research could pave the way for the development of more sustainable and efficient membranes for various industrial applications. The use of natural plasticizers like honey and glycerol not only improves the material’s properties but also aligns with the growing trend towards eco-friendly and renewable resources. As the energy sector continues to seek innovative solutions for sustainable technologies, the findings from this study offer a glimpse into the potential of babassu-based membranes.
Carvalho and her team’s work, published in ‘Materials Research’, highlights the importance of exploring natural resources for advanced materials. Their findings could inspire further research and development in the field, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and efficient energy sector.