K. Lighty, L. Zhang
North Carolina A&T State University - Joint School of Nanoscience & Nanoengineering,
United States
Keywords: hydrothermal liquefaction, bio-oil, algae, sustainability, bio composite, green chemistry, amines, amides
Summary:
The growing demand for sustainable materials in composite manufacturing has driven the need for bio-based alternatives to petroleum-derived epoxy resins. This research explores the development of a biobased algae composite by utilizing hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae to produce bio-oil as a sustainable curing agent for epoxy resins. Traditional epoxy curing relies on petroleum-based amine hardeners, which contribute to environmental pollution and limit the material’s sustainability. In contrast, bio-oil derived from algae contains a diverse range of functional groups, such as carboxyl, hydroxyl, and amine groups, which enable crosslinking with epoxy monomers. The study investigates the chemical composition of algae bio-oil and its compatibility with epoxy curing mechanisms, evaluating its impact on thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties of the resulting composite. A key aspect of this study is understanding the molecular interactions between the algae-derived bio-oil and epoxy monomers, as well as optimizing processing conditions to achieve comparable performance to petroleum-based epoxies. Preliminary findings suggest that algae-derived bio-oil can act as an effective curing agent, yielding composites with high mechanical performance and improved thermal stability. The hybrid reinforcement with CNFs and HNFs further enhances the material properties, positioning this bio-based epoxy composite as a viable alternative for automotive, aerospace, and structural applications. This research demonstrates the potential of integrating biofuel production with advanced composite manufacturing, paving the way for circular economy approaches in material science. By valorizing algae as both a biofuel feedstock and a polymer curing agent, this study contributes to the advancement of sustainable and high-performance biocomposites.