High Degree of Silanization of Olive Wood Shell Stone and Its Use in Polyester Biocomposites

A full optimization of the reaction conditions for the high degree of functionalization of olive wood shell stone (OS) with silanes of different nature has been conducted. The assayed silanes were 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS), gamma-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MEMO), 3-(2-aminoethylamino)propyltrimethoxysilane (AEAPTMS) and octadecyltrimethoxysilane (ODTMS) obtaining high degrees of functionalization of the initial native OS. A complete characterization of the functionalized OS materials was performed using a plethora of techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR and FTIR-DRIFT), zeta-potential, elemental analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), thermogravimetry (TG), moisture content, and particle size distribution. The potential use of these materials was subsequently studied in the synthesis of biocomposites partially replacing the conventional inorganic filler, which due to its crystallinity is known to be not beneficial for human health. The obtained biocomposite materials were studied by means of flexural resistance, Barcol hardness, colorimetry, static contact angle, and dynamic-mechanical analysis (DMA). A full optimization of the reaction conditions for the high degree of functionalization of olive wood shell stone (OS) with silanes of different nature has been conducted.