A Review of the Potential of Rice Husk (RH) and Periwinkle Shell (PWS) in the Development of Plastic Composites (Published)
Rice husk (RH) and Periwinkles shells (PWS) are two agricultural by-products that have been found to constitute to environmental challenges. There is need to research on them for possible potentialities and alternative uses apart from what they used to be in the localities. Therefore, this paper aims at reviewing the characteristic compositions of the two agricultural wastes to identify their potentials in development of renewable composite materials. The chemical composition of RH and PWS have been found to be 94.5% and 33.8% by weight, respectively, of silica content and this is a good quality material for concretes and other composites production. Among other potentials, they are sources of fuel for electricity generation and agents of pozzolanic and polymerization with polypropylene for flame retardation. In conclusion, RH and PWS are organic and degradable materials that are good for renewable energy and composites production thereby controlling environmental degradation.
Keywords: Periwinkle Shell (PWS) development, Rice Husk (RH), plastic composites