Production of Flamboyant Pod Nanoparticles as Emerging Reinforcements for Structural Composite Materials
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Date
2026-01-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Materials Research Forum LLC, Materials Research Proceedings 63 (2026) 64-71
Abstract
Dynamic changes in environmental conditions had necessitated continuous research
towards the development of innovative structural composites with enhanced properties. To
produce functional concrete-based composites, there is a need for structural modification using
reinforcing fillers that could improve the strength and toughness of the composites. Agricultural
exercise creates many nonedible components which constitute environmental nuisances owing to
their little or no economic value. However, processing such components into useful reinforcing
fillers in concrete and other matrices for composite development encourages a wealth creation
from waste, environmental hygiene and ecofriendly materials for engineering applications. This
study focuses only on the production of nanoparticles which can be used as fillers in composite
development. Nanoparticles were produced from the flamboyant pods using a disc and optimised
ball milling technique. Pods were pulverised using a disc miller and the powders obtained were
ball milled at varied charge ratios and velocities to produce reinforcing nanoparticles. Particles
obtained in each of the milling exercises were analysed and 2 functional interaction response
surface model was developed to optimise the milling parameters and particle sizes. Result obtained
indicated a decrease in size of the flamboyant pod particles as milling durations and charge ratios
increase. P value of the model <0.0001 which is much less than 0.05 shows that the model is
significant in explaining dependence of the particle sizes on the milling parameters. Hence, the
developed model affirms that a minimum size of 3.5209 nm of the flamboyant pod particles can be obtained without agglomeration of particles when milling at 10 charge ratios for 17 hours 29
minutes