Synthesis and characterization of novel phosphonated and sulfonated poly(styrene–isobutylene–styrene) for fuel cell and protective clothing applications

A novel aromatic block–graft copolymer of sulfonated poly(styrene–isobutylene–styrene)‐graft‐poly(vinyl phosphonic acid) (SIBS‐g‐PVPA SO₃H) was synthetized for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) and chemical and biological protective clothing (CBPC) applications. The polystyrene (PS) blocks of SIBS were chloromethylated via a Friedel–Crafts reaction to obtain the macroinitiator SIBS‐CH₂Cl. Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was performed to graft VPA to the chloromethylated groups of the macroinitiator and yield SIBS‐g‐PVPA, which was subsequently sulfonated using acetyl sulfate as the sulfonating agent. After each functionalization step, a membrane was prepared by using the solvent casting technique. The final membrane was composed of triblock SIBS as the backbone, PVPA grafts attached to the chloromethylated PS end blocks and sulfonic groups in the non‐chloromethylated PS units. A comprehensive materials characterization study (e.g., GPC, FTIR, TGA, EA) was performed to confirm proper functionalization of each material. Unique ionic interactions (i.e., crosslinking via formation of sulfonate–phosphonium complexes) arose between the phosphonic and sulfonic groups (i.e., PO₃H₂ and SO₃H, respectively) that enhanced the water absorption capabilities, thermal and oxidative stability, and the transport properties of SIBS. The SIBS‐g‐PVPA SO₃H membrane presented high Nafion ® normalized selectivity and separation efficiency, indicating that this ionomer adequately functions for both applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 1424–1435     

Impact of coated calcium carbonate nanofillers and annealing treatments on the microstructure and gas barrier properties of poly(lactide) based nanocomposite films

Amorphous poly(lactide) (PLA) and nanocomposite films were prepared from melt‐blending with precipitated calcium carbonate nanofillers (PCC). Nanocomposites based on uncoated PCC (PCC‐UT), stearic acid coated PCC (PCC‐S), and poly(ε‐caprolactone) coated PCC (PCC‐P) were investigated for an inorganic content fixed to 8 wt %. Using coated nanofillers allowed preserving both PLA average molar mass and thermal stability while enhancing the nanofiller dispersion state. Poly(ε‐caprolactone) was identified as the best coating for optimized morphology and thermal properties. Maxwell law accurately described the increase in oxygen barrier properties observed for the nanocomposites based on PCC‐S. A modified Maxwell law was proposed to take account of the additional increase in barrier properties evidenced for the PLA/PCC‐P nanocomposites and assigned to the particularly strong compatibility between PCL and PLA. Different annealing conditions were investigated to respectively study the impact of physical ageing and PLA crystallization on gas permeability. Different extents of physical ageing did not significantly modify the oxygen transport properties. However, a high permeability decrease was observed for the semicrystalline nanocomposites with respect to the amorphous reference PLA film. Finally, the gain in barrier properties was shown to result from both contribution of the nanofillers and the crystalline phase. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 649–658     

A novel approach to phosphonic acids from hypophosphorous acid

A novel access to phosphonic acids via Pd-catalyzed tandem carbon-phosphorus bond formation-oxidation processes was developed. The procedures involve atom-economical and environmentally friendly functionalization reactions of hypophosphorous acid (H₃PO₂) and H-phosphinic acids [RP(O)(OH)(H)].     

Low cost bifunctional initiators for bidirectional living cationic polymerization of olefins. II. hyperbranched styrene–isobutylene–styrene triblocks with superior combination of properties

Both bifunctional initiators, the new low cost bBCB‐diCl [4,9‐dichloro,2,4,7,9‐tetramethyl‐tricyclo[6.2.0.0³⁶]deca‐1(8),2,6‐triene] and the universally used “hindered” HDCCl [1‐(tert‐butyl)‐3,5‐bis(2‐chloropropan‐2‐yl)benzene] induce the living bidirectional block copolymerization of isobutylene (IB) followed by styrene (St), and produce PSt‐b‐PIB‐b‐PSt (SIBS) triblocks. We discovered that the molecular weights of triblocks kept significantly increasing long after St conversion reached completion during syntheses. Results were explained by the formation of blends consisting of the expected linear SIBS plus hyperbranched SIBS, HB(SIBS)_n. The structure of high molecular weight (>10⁶ g/mol) HB(SIBS)_n was characterized by various techniques, and key properties of SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n blends were investigated. The mechanism of HB(SIBS)_n formation and the synthesis of SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n blends was elucidated. The properties of SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n blends are superior to those of SIBS. Thus, whereas SIBS exhibits ∼25 MPa tensile strength and ∼450% elongation, SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n blends exhibit 25–27 MPa tensile strength and >400% elongation; deformation under constant load of SIBS is ∼12%, whereas that of SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n is <1%; permanent set of SIBS is 1.3% whereas that of SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n is <0.5%. SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n blends also exhibit higher yield, yield strength, and toughness than SIBS. The microstructure/property relationship of HB(SIBS)_n is discussed and the reasons for enhanced properties of SIBS/HB(SIBS)_n blends are analyzed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 705–713     

Influence of nanoparticle surface chemistry on the thermomechanical and magnetic properties of ferromagnetic nanocomposites

The effect of nanoparticle surface chemistry on the thermal, mechanical, and magnetic properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites with cobalt ferrite nanofillers was studied by comparing nanofillers coated with oleic acid (OA; which does not covalently bond to the PMMA matrix) and 3‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS, which covalently bonds to the PMMA matrix). Thermogravimetric analysis revealed an increase in the thermal degradation temperature of the nanocomposites compared with the neat polymer. The effect of cobalt ferrite nanofiller on the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the nanocomposite was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry. The T_g value of the material increased when the particles were introduced. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicated an increase in the storage modulus of the nanocomposite because of the presence of nanofiller and a shift in the peak of loss tangent toward higher temperature. Magnetic measurements indicated that both nanocomposites had a small hysteresis loop at 300 K and no hysteresis at 400 K. However, estimates of the nanofiller's rotational relaxation times and measurements of the zero field cooled temperature‐dependent magnetization indicate that the observed lack of hysteresis at 400 K is likely because of particle rotation in the polymer matrix. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011     

PLA-ZnO nanocomposite films: Water vapor barrier properties and specific end-use characteristics

PLA nanocomposite films with multifunctional characteristics such as mechanical, anti-UV, antibacterial, electrical, gas barrier properties are potentially of high interest as packaging biomaterials. Occasionally, desired and beneficial effects obtained by addition nanofillers come along with some drawbacks, leading to the sharp drop in the molecular weights of the polyester chains, and consequently an important loss of mechanical and thermal properties. Novel PLA-ZnO nanocomposite films were produced by melt-compounding PLA with 0.5–3% ZnO rod-like nanoparticles. The surface treatment of nanofiller by silanization (with triethoxy caprylylsilane) was necessary to obtain a better dispersion and to limit the decrease of molecular mass of PLA. The morphology, molecular, thermo-mechanical and transport properties to water vapor of PLA-ZnO films were analyzed with respect to the neat PLA. According to DSC and to XRD, the produced films were essentially amorphous. The changes in PLA permeation properties were strongly dependent on temperature and nanofiller loading. The well dispersed ZnO nanoparticles within the polyester matrix were effective in increasing the tortuosity of the diffusive path of the penetrant molecules. The activation energy remained similar for PLA and PLA-1% ZnO, but was found greater at higher loading of ZnO (3%), confirming the increased difficulty of travelling molecules to diffuse through PLA. In comparison to the neat PLA (presenting no antimicrobial efficacy), the nanocomposites were active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, stronger antibacterial activity being evidenced after 7 days elapsed time. By considering the multifunctional properties of PLA-ZnO nanocomposites, the films produced by extrusion can be considered a promising alternative as environmental-friendly packaging materials.     

Effect of particle agglomeration and interphase on the glass transition temperature of polymer nanocomposites

In this article, we utilize finite element modeling to investigate the effect of nanoparticle agglomeration on the glass transition temperature of polymer nanocomposites. The case of an attractive interaction between polymer and nanofiller is considered for which an interphase domain of gradient properties is developed. This model utilizes representative volume elements that are created and analyzed with varying degrees of nanoparticle clustering and length scale of interphase domain. The viscoelastic properties of the composites are studied using a statistical approach to account for variations due to the random nature of the microstructure. Results show that a monotonic increase in nanofiller clustering not only results in the loss of interphase volume but also obstructs the formation of a percolating interphase network in the nanocomposite. The combined impacts lead to a remarkable decrease of T_g enhancement of clustering nanofillers in comparison with a well‐dispersed configuration. Our simulation results provide qualitative support for experimental observations that clustering observed at high nanofiller concentrations negatively impacts the effects of the nanofiller on overall properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011     

Investigation of thermally stimulated charge relaxation mechanism in SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> filled polycarbonate nanocomposites

The thermally stimulated charge relaxation properties of polycarbonate (PC) filled with SiO₂ nanofiller were studied by means of thermally stimulated discharge current (TSDC). The nanocomposite samples were further characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectra, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques to investigate the dispersion of nanofillers in polymer matrix and glass transition temperature. All pristine and nanocomposites samples of thickness about 25 μm were prepared using solution mixing method. The suitable weight percentage of SiO₂ nanofillers has been chosen to prevent the nonuniform dispersion. TSDC measurement of PC (Pristine) and PC+ (7% SiO₂) shows the single peak, while TSDC characteristic of other nanocomposites are showing two peaks. The higher temperature TSDC peak of pristine and nanocomposites samples is originated due to the charge relaxation from shallower and deeper trapping sites, however, low temperature peak is caused by dipolar relaxation of charge carriers. Since the position of higher temperature TSDC peak is generally an analysis of glass transition temperature of polymer/polymer nanocomposites. The authors have observed that the temperature of this peak is almost same as the T _g measured by DSC with 0 to ±5% variation. This article presents the deeper understanding of charge relaxation mechanism caused by SiO₂ nanofillers in polycarbonate.     

Preparation and proton conductivity of poly(N‐methylbenzimidazole) doped with acid

To increase the solubility and film forming ability of polybenzimidazole (PBI), poly(N‐methylbenzimidazole) (PNMBI) with different degrees of methylation was synthesized. Chemical structure, degree of substitution, and solubility of PNMBI was studied. PNMBI is easier to be doped with acid than PBI. The basicity of PNMBI was improved with the introduction of methyl groups on the imidazole moiety. Effects of methylation degree, H₃PO₄ content and temperature on proton conductivity of PNMBI doped H₃PO₄ was studied. Proton conductivity of H₃PO₄ doped PNMBI‐1.2 membranes increases with increasing doping level. Temperature dependence of proton conductivity of H₃PO₄ doped PNMBI‐1.2 membranes follows the Arrhenius law. With an increase in the degree of substitution, proton conductivity of H₃PO₄ doped PNMBI decreases dramatically. The proton transport mechanism was also discussed. The proton conductivity of PNMBI/H₃PO₄ is mainly contributed by proton hopping or Grotthuss mechanism. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Poly(γ‐benzyl‐L‐glutamate)‐functionalized single‐walled carbon nanotubes from surface‐initiated ring‐opening polymerizations of N‐carboxylanhydride

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been functionalized with poly(γ‐benzyl‐L ‐glutamate) (PBLG) by ring‐opening polymerizations of γ‐benzyl‐L ‐glutamic acid‐based N‐carboxylanhydrides (NCA‐BLG) using amino‐functionalized SWCNTs (SWCNT‐NH₂) as initiators. The SWCNT functionalization has been verified by FTIR spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The FTIR study reveals that surface‐attached PBLGs adopt random‐coil conformations in contrast to the physically absorbed or bulk PBLGs, which exhibit α‐helical conformations. Raman spectroscopic analysis reveals a significant alteration of the electronic structure of SWCNTs as a result of PBLG functionalization. The PBLG‐functionalized SWCNTs (SWCNT‐PBLG) exhibit enhanced solubility in DMF. Stable DMF solutions of SWCNT‐PBLG/PBLG with a maximum SWCNTs concentration of 259 mg L^?1 can be readily obtained. SWCNT‐PBLG/PBLG solid composites have been characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, wide/small‐angle X‐ray scattering (W/SAXS), scanning electron microscopy, and polarized optical microscopy for their thermal or morphological properties. Microfibers containing SWCNT‐PBLG and PBLG can also be prepared via electrospinning. WAXS characterization reveals that SWCNTs are evenly distributed among PBLG rods in solution and in the solid state where PBLGs form a short‐range nematic phase interspersed with amorphous domains. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2340–2350, 2010     

Modeling effect of ferroelectric nanofiller size on bipolar charge transport in nanocomposite film

Bipolar charge injection and field‐dependent mobility transport through nanocomposite film comprised of ferroelectric ceramic nanofillers in an amorphous polymer matrix is simulated using a 3D particle‐in‐cell model which extends the classical electrical double layer by substitution of a dipolar core for the nanofiller. The stability criterion of the explicit algorithm conforms to the Courant–Friedrichs–Levy limit. Simulation results for BaTiO₃ nanofiller in amorphous polymer matrix indicate that antiparallel polarization results in the highest leakage conduction and lowest level of charge trapping in the interaction zone. Theoretical considerations validated simulation prediction in identifying a size range of 80 to 100 nm to minimize attachment and maximize conduction. The largest difference is in attached charge in the antiparallel case where fractions go from 2.2 to 97% as nanofiller size is decreased from 150 to 60 nm. Computed conductivity of 0.4 × 10^?14 S/cm is in agreement with published data for PVDF. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015 , 53, 1380–1390     

Enhancement of proton mobility and mitigation of methanol crossover in sPEEK fuel cells by an organically modified titania nanofiller

An organically functionalized titania, TiO₂-RSO₃H, was evaluated as filler in sulfonated polyetheretherketone (sPEEK)-based composite membranes for application in high temperature direct methanol fuel cells. The presence of propylsulfonic acid groups covalently bound onto the TiO₂ surface and the nanometric nature of the additive were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The properties of the sPEEK/TiO₂-RSO₃H composite membranes were compared with those of the pure sPEEK membranes and those of the sPEEK/TiO₂ composite membranes containing pristine titania nanoparticles at same filler content. Water and methanol transport properties were investigated by NMR methods, including relaxation times and self-diffusion coefficients as function of temperature (up to 130 °C), and pressure (from 0 up to 2 kbar). The incorporation of the nanoadditivies in the sPEEK polymer demonstrates considerable effects on the morphology and stiffness of the membranes, as well as on the transport properties and barrier effect to the methanol crossover. In particular, the functionalization by propylsulfonic acid groups promotes a higher reticulation between the polymeric chains, increasing the tortuosity of the methanol diffusional paths, so reducing the molecular diffusion, while the proton mobility increases being favored by the Grotthus-type mechanism. Conductivity measurements point out that the filler surface functionalization avoids the reduction of the overall proton conduction of the electrolyte due to the embedding of the low-conducting TiO₂. Finally, remarkable improvements were found when using the sPEEK/TiO₂-RSO₃H composite membrane as electrolyte in a DMFC, in terms of reduced methanol crossover and higher current and power density delivered.     

Proton transport in polybenzimidazole blended with H3PO4 or H2SO4

Proton transport in H₃PO₄‐ and H₂SO₄‐blended polybenzimidazoles (PBIs) has been studied with both temperature‐ and pressure‐dependent dielectric spectroscopy. The influences of the acid concentration and temperature on the relative conductance and activation volume are discussed. An Arrhenius relation is used to model the temperature‐dependent conductivity at a constant acid content. The logarithm of the relative conductance for PBI blended with H₃PO₄ decreases linearly with increasing pressure. As the temperature increases, the activation volume becomes smaller for PBI blended with H₃PO₄. It is proposed that proton transport in acid‐blended PBI is mainly controlled by proton hopping and diffusion rather than a mechanism mediated by the segmental motions in the polymer. The conductivities of PBIs blended with H₃PO₄ and H₂SO₄ are compared. At a 1.45 molar acid doping concentration, the former has the higher conductivity. With water, the conductivity of H₃PO₄‐blended PBI increases significantly. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 663–669, 2002; DOI 10.1002/polb.10132     

Zweifach phosphonylierte Triphenylphosphane – neue Liganden mit ausgezeichneter Wasserlöslichkeit

Triphenylphosphine Diphosphonates – New Ligands with Excellent Water‐Solubility A highly selective method for the functionalization of triarylphosphines with phosphonate moieties has been developed. New ligands with excellent solubility in water, such as the previously unknown triphenylphosphine‐diphosphonates PhP[3‐C₆H₄–PO₃Na₂]₂ and PhP[4‐C₆H₄–PO₃Na₂]₂, are accessible by this efficient synthesis route.     

iPP Based Nanocomposites Filled with Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles: Structure/Properties Relationships

Isotactic polypropylene (iPP) based nanocomposites filled with calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CaCO₃) were prepared by melt mixing and structure-properties relationships of the nanomaterials were studied. Elongated CaCO₃ nanopowders coated with two different coating agents, polypropylene-maleic anhydride graft copolymer (iPP-g-MA) and fatty acids (FA), were tested as nanoreinforced phases. The influence of surface treatment of the nanoparticles on the polymer/nanofillers interfacial adhesion and on the final materials properties was investigated. Morphological analysis showed that the selected coating agents induce different iPP/nanofiller adhesion degrees. Young's modulus increases as a function of the nanoparticles content and the coating agent nature. Finally, all the prepared nanocomposites showed a significant improvement of iPP barrier properties either to oxygen or to carbon dioxide.     

Proton conductivity in TaH(PO4)2 · 2H2O + SiO2 composite electrolytes

The composite electrolytes of composition (1 ? x)TaH(PO₄)₂ · 2H₂O/xSiO₂ (x = 0.2–0.4) are synthesized, and their transport properties are characterized over a wide temperature range. Doping with highly dispersed silica only insignificantly changes the proton conductivity of tantalum hydrogenphosphate below 370 K; above 820 K, the conductivity increases. The evolution of the phase composition of TaH(PO₄)₂ · 2H₂O and its base materials during thermolysis is studied.     

Computational chemistry and molecular simulations of phosphoric acid

Quantum mechanics (QM) calculations, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using the condensed‐phase optimized molecular potentials for atomistic simulation studies (COMPASS) force field, and the atom‐centered density matrix propagation (ADMP) approach have been used to investigate properties of phosphoric acid (PA). QM using B3LYP/6‐31++G(d,p) density functional theory were used to calculate gas‐phase proton affinities and interaction energies of PA and its derivatives. Detailed single coordinate driving, followed by quadratic synchronous transit optimization was used to determine energy barriers for different proton transfer (PT) pathways. Determined energy barrier heights in ascending order are (unit: kJ/mol): H₃O⁺→H₃PO₄ (0); H₄P₂O₇→H₃PO₄ (2.61); H₃PO₄→H₂PO (5.31); H₄PO→H₃PO₄ (～7.33); H₃PO₄→H₄P₂O₇/H₃PO₄→H₃PO₄ (15.99); H₄P₂O₇→H₂O (28.61); H₃PO₄→H₂O (47.14). The COMPASS force field was used to study condensed‐phase properties of PA. Good agreement between experimental data and MD results including density, radial distribution functions, and self‐diffusion coefficient at different temperatures provides validation of the COMPASS force field for PA. Finally, preliminary ADMP studies on a cluster of three PA molecules shows that the ADMP approach can reasonably describe the PT and self‐dissociation processes in PA. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Sulfobutylated Lignosulfonate with Ultrahigh Sulfonation Degree and Its Dispersion Property in Low-Rank Coal-Water Slurry

Using a simple method, we developed a new family of alkyl sulfonic acid modified lignosulfonate (ASLSs) with simultaneously improved sulfonation degrees and molecular weights via one step. Direct sulfonation occurred on both phenolic and alcoholic hydroxyl groups of alkali lignin raw material with 1,4-butylenesulfone used as sulfonation agent. A sulfonation degree of 3.86 mmol/g had been achieved which presents as one of the highest sulfonation degrees among those of reported LSs, to date. ¹H-NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements confirmed the efficient sulfonation. Furthermore, the dispersion properties were investigated in low-rank coal-water slurry (CWS). ASLS3 showed better viscosity-reduction effect than naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate (FDN) in CWS with dosages from 0.6% to 1.0 wt%. ASLS3 had the similar sulfonation degree with FDN; however, the large steric hindrance, soft long alkyl chain-C₄H₈-SO₃H, and their efficient anchoring effect of ASLSs contributed to their improved dispersion properties.     

Sulfonated poly(styrene-isobutylene-styrene) grafted with hexyl- and butyl-imidazolium chloride ionic liquids

In this work, novel sulfonated poly(ionic liquid)s block-copolymers based on poly(styrene–isobutylene–styrene) (SIBS) are synthesized for chemical protective clothing (CPC) applications. The synthesis consists of the chloromethylation of SIBS, followed by the incorporation of N-alkylimidazole through chemical grafting, and concluding with sulfonation of the resulting compound. Properties of the membranes are determined as a function of different N-alkylimidazoles (butylimidazole and hexylimidazole) and sulfonation levels (7–23 mol%). Results show that the incorporation of imidazole and sulfonic groups increases the thermal stability of SIBS as well as its water absorption capabilities. The interaction between the ionic moieties in the polymeric matrix allows the formation of hydrophilic nanochannels, which promote the transport of permeants through the membrane. The high water vapor transmission rate (above 2000 g m⁻² day⁻¹) and values of selectivity (~50) demonstrate that the breathability of the synthesized membrane is improved while blocking the passage of dimethyl methylphosphonate (simulant of agent Sarin). The above mentioned observations suggest that sulfonated SIBS-PIL's membranes are potential materials for CPC applications.     

Preparation of activated carbon filled epoxy nanocomposites

Activated carbon derived from oil palm empty fruit bunch (AC-EFB), bamboo stem (AC-BS), and coconut shells (AC-CNS) were obtained by pyrolysis of agricultural wastes using two chemical reagents (H₃PO₄ or KOH). The AC-EFB, AC-BS and AC-CNS were used as filler in preparation of epoxy nanocomposites. Epoxy nanocomposites prepared at 1, 5 and 10 % activated carbons filler loading using KOH and H₃PO₄ chemical agents. Transmission electron microscopy confirms better dispersion of the nano-activated carbons in the epoxy matrix at 5 % activated carbon. The presence of 5 % AC-CNS in the epoxy matrix using H₃PO₄ chemical reagent resulted in an improvement of the thermal stability of epoxy matrix. KOH treated AC filled epoxy nanocomposites were slightly better in thermal stability as compared to H₃PO₄ treated AC filled epoxy nanocomposites, may be due to better interaction of filler with epoxy matrix. Thermal analysis results showed that thermal stability of the activated carbon filled epoxy nanocomposites improved as compared to the neat epoxy matrix. The degree of crystallinity of epoxy matrix was improved by adding the activated carbon due to interfacial interaction between AC and epoxy matrix rather than loading of AC alone. Developed nanocomposites from biomass (agricultural wastes) materials will help to reduce the overall cost of the materials for its demanding applications as insulating material.