Characterization of Dikanut Shell using Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Diffractometry

Authors: Ogbebor OE, Ebhojiaye RS, Amiolemhen PE

DOI Info: N/A

ABSTRACT

In Nigeria today, Dikanut shell is an agro waste that has the tendency of becoming an environmental pollutant in the near future. There is currently a dearth of literature with regard to Dikanut characterization with a view to its utilization in science and engineering fields. This paper is focused on the characterization of the surface morphology and crystalline structure of Dikanut shell using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) respectively. Dikanut shell samples that were used in this study were ground into powdery form and sieved with a mesh to a size of 150 μm. The samples were in two forms - natural state termed unmodified Dikanut shell particles (UDSP) and carbonized state at (600 ^oC for three hours) termed carbonized Dikanut shell particle (CDSP). The result of the SEM analysis showed that the UDSP orientation was scattered with visible porous structures and appeared dense. Also, its irregular shaped organic particles formed isolated aggregate of an amorphous matrix. The SEM result for the CDSP showed more developed porous structure indicating high surface area with more compact and well distributed structure. The XRD analysis of UDSP showed the presence of amorphous structure of carbon in the UDSP with a peak of 16.64^o and 21.95^o. The XRD analysis of CDSP showed a peak of 19.88^o and sepiolite phase (magnesium silicate hydroxide hydrate) which are hard phases. The presence of the hard phases as represented by the sepiolite indicates that the material is useful as material filler and composite reinforcement.

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