Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Waste and Biomass Valorization, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Abstract: The use of recyclable and biodegradable materials plays a key role in achieving global sustainability goals. Biocomposites derived from sustainable sources offer significant potential, particularly in industries like automotive and construction that demand large amounts of raw materials. Plant-based natural fibers are commonly used in biocomposites due to their high strength, low density, cost-effectiveness, biodegradability and environmental friendliness. Hemp fibers, obtained from Cannabis sativa L., a member of the Cannabaceae family, are especially promising due to the plant’s rapid growth, high biomass yield, carbon sequestration capacity and favorable mechanical properties. Their high tensile strength and low density make them suitable for use as reinforcement in composite materials. However, their susceptibility to biodegradation and flammability can limit long-term structural applications. To address these limitations, this study investigated the effect of boron doping on the mechanical, thermal, flame retardancy and moisture behaviors of hemp fabric reinforced biocomposites. Hemp fibers were chemically modified with boric acid and used in an epoxy matrix. SEM analyses showed that boron was distributed homogeneously along the fibers and provided strong fiber-matrix interfacial interaction. TGA/DTA results revealed that although boron addition slightly decreased the decomposition onset temperature, it improved thermal stability by increasing the residual char ratio by 35%. UL-94 tests have confirmed that boron prolongs flame duration and reduces flame intensity. In mechanical tests, 10% boron addition decreased tensile strength by 8% and ductility by 12%, while increasing the flexural modulus by 15%. Additionally, boron-added composites showed 26% lower water retention rate in 384-h water absorption tests. In conclusion, boron doping increased the flame retardancy, thermal stability and moisture resistance of hemp-based biocomposites, but resulted in a limited decrease in tensile strength. In this respect, the study represents one of the first comprehensive approaches in which boron is used as a multifunctional modification agent in hemp fibers and thermal, moisture and mechanical performance are optimized together.