Progress and challenges in sustainability, compatibility,and production of eco-composites: A state-of-art review

Abstract

Owing to economic and environmental benefits, new generations of materials/commodities follow“from waste to wealth”strategy. Recently, there has beena huge upsurge in research on the development of eco-composites usingrecycled plastic polymers and agro-residues because the eco-composites satisfythe stringent environment regulations and are cost-effective. Herein, we pre-sent a detailed review on the potential use of several types of natural fillers asan efficient reinforcement for recycled plastic polymers. In particular, thecharacterization of different categories of eco-composites according to theirmorphological, physical, thermal, and mechanical properties is extensivelyreviewed and their results are analyzed, compared, and highlighted. Further-more, a framework to produce functional eco-composites, which includes func-tionalization of ingredients, critical issues on microstructural parameters,processing, and fabrication methods, is outlined and supported with sufficientdata from the literature. Finally, the review outlines the emerging challengesand future prospects of eco-composites to be addressed by interested researchersto bridge the gap between research and commercialization of such a class ofmaterial. Overall, the acquired knowledge will guide researchers, scientists, andmanufacturers to plan, select, and develop various forms of eco-composites withenhanced properties and optimized production processes