Sofía Jurado Contreras

Mrs. Sofía Jurado Contreras


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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7 October 2022 in Polymers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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SCSofía Jurado Contreras
Sofía Jurado Contreras
FMFrancisco Javier Navas Martos
Francisco Javier Navas Martos
JRJose Antonio Rodriguez
Jose Antonio Rodriguez
Alberto J Moya LopezAlberto J Moya Lopez
Alberto J Moya Lopez
La Rubia M.DoloresLa Rubia M.Dolores
La Rubia M.Dolores
The present work studies the use of olive pit (OP) as a reinforcement in the manufacture of composites based on a post-consumer recycled polypropylene (rPP). In this way, it is feasible to provide added value from olive pits, a by-product resulting from the olive industry operations, while promoting the circular economy and reducing the use of fossil-based polymers. For this purpose, suitable samples were manufactured using 25 wt% and 40 wt% of OP. Additionally, the effect of incorporating additives was studied: (a) a process control additive (PA), and (b) a coupling agent of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP). The results showed an improvement in Young’s and flexural modulus with the OP addition. The incorporation of PA did not present any significant improvement in the properties of the materials, nevertheless it facilitated the biocomposite manufacturing process. As for the coupling agent, it significantly improved the mechanical properties, achieving the best results with the addition of the two types of additives and 40 wt% of OP. Moreover, the thermal properties were maintained, and there was an increase in crystallinity in all composites compared to rPP. According to the results of the fracture surface analysis, the coupling agent improves reinforcement-polymer matrix cohesion.