Recycled Plastic Biocomposites (Woodhead Publishing Series in Composites Science and Engineering)

Recycled plastic biocomposites have attracted widespread attention from both researchers and manufacturers due to the significant improvements in their physico-mechanical, thermal, rheological, and barrier properties when compared to conventional materials, as well as their potential regarding commercialization and zero waste. Recycled Plastic Biocomposites presents the latest information on recycled polymers, textiles, pulp and paper, wood plastic, rubber waste plastic, and micro and nano effects of recycled plastic waste resources that have great potential as reinforcement materials in composites because they are non-toxic, inexpensive, biodegradable, cost-effective, and available in large amounts. Recycled plastic biocomposites are now starting to be deployed in a broad range of materials applications due to their advantages over petroleum-based materials. Currently, there are no limits to the possibility of their applications. They also have exceptional sustainable and biodegradable properties when compared to conventional materials such as polymers and composites.

Recycled Plastic Biocomposites reviews the latest research advances on recycled plastic-based biocomposites, including thermoplastic, thermoset, rubber, and foams. In addition, the book covers critical assessments on the economics of recycled plastic, including a cost-performance analysis that discusses its strengths and weaknesses as a reinforcement material. The huge potential applications of recycled plastic in industry are also explored in detail with respect to low cost, recyclable and biodegradable properties, and the way they can be applied to the automotive, construction, and packaging industries. The life cycles of both single and hybrid recycled plastic-based polymer composites and biocomposites are also discussed in detail. From the viewpoint of recycled plastic-based polymer composites, the book covers not only the well-known role of recycled polymers and composites, but also advanced materials produced from micro-, nano-, and pico-scale fillers that achieve better physical, mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties.

This book will be an essential reference resource for academic and industrial researchers, materials scientists, and those working in polymer science and engineering, chemical engineering, manufacturing, and biocomposites.

Ts. Dr. Md Rezaur Rahman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Energy Sustainability, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Malaysia. Since 2012, he has also served as a Visiting Research Fellow at the Faculty of Engineering, Tokushima University, Japan. His academic journey includes experience as a teaching assistant at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and as a Research Project Leader under the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education. In 2015, he was appointed as an External Supervisor at the Faculty of Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Rahman holds a Ph.D. from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and brings over 12 years of experience in teaching, research, and industry collaboration. His research expertise spans conducting polymers, nanocomposites, and advanced materials, including graphene, nanoclay, fire retardants, and nanocellulose-reinforced polymer composites. He has made significant contributions to the development of hybrid-filled polymer blends and the chemical modification of lignocellulosic fibers such as jute, coir, and kenaf. To date, Dr. Rahman has authored seven books, 20 book chapters, and over 200 articles in international journals, establishing himself as a prominent researcher in polymer science and nanotechnology. He is also listed in Stanford University's Top 2% Scientists list of the world's most cited scientists.

Dr. Hj. Muhammad Khusairy Bin Capt. Hj. Bakri is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Washington State University (WSU). He specializes in materials and mechanical engineering. He holds a BEng (2014), MEng (2016), and PhD (2018) from Swinburne University of Technology. His research focuses on developing composites making them durable by improving their interfacial interaction and stability of composites through advanced thermal and chemical treatments. His research also emphasizes bio-composites for sustainable and economically viable applications. He also has published over 279 scholarly works, including journal articles, book chapters, newspaper/bulletin, and conference proceedings, focusing on his expertise in wood composites, bio-composites, biomaterials, and wastewater treatment. Previously, Dr. Khusairy worked as a Research Fellow at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) from 2019-2021. During that time, he has collaborated with many researchers through international research projects across Malaysia and abroad. He is also certified as a Graduate Engineer and Professional Technologist under the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT). He is a lifelong member of the Association of Professional Technicians and Technologists (APTT) located in Sarawak, Malaysia. Dr. Khusairy has received worldwide recognition, having been nominated and selected as a finalist for the Swinburne Alumni Impact Awards in 2022, and was included in Successful People in Malaysia 2023.