Characterization of Waste Bamboo Leaves for its Valorization Potential as Sustainable Material
1Kehinde, T.O., 2Ojoawo S.O., 3Alade A.O and 4Oguntola , I. O.
1,2,Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, Oyo State, Nigeria
3Department of Chemical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
4Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute, Km 10, Idiroko road, Sango-Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
DOI: 10.36108/laujoces/6202.71.0131
Abstract
Waste Bamboo Leaves (WBL) is an available, abundant, sustainable material and a potential environmental pollutant however, it is chemically and fiber-rich. This study investigated the feasibility of valorizing WBL in order to protect the environment. Valorization of WBL is of prime importance for a clean environment and human health. The WBL has no commercial value, and it is usually disposed of by open burning, thus causing environmental pollution and disposal problems have become a growing concern in environmental research. WBL were sourced from a bamboo thicket at Ikoyi, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. The WBL were washed, sun-dried to reduce moisture content. The dried WBL was ground into 50 µm and stored in airtight containers. The study investigated the proximate and ultimate analysis of the WBL. The raw WBL was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) for morphology, crystallinity and chemical composition, respectively. The waste Bamboo Leaves Ash (WBLA) were also characterized using XRF. The WBL consists of high carbon content, which could be a valuable source of energy through combustion / renewable energy. High content of hydrogen in WBL could be suitable for syngas production. The XRF revealed the silicon oxide in WBL and WBLA as 60.42 and 67.34 % respectively. The study is in line with the target of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6, Clean water and sanitation, targeting access to a safe environment.
Keywords: Characterization, Silica, Valorization, Waste Bamboo Leaves