Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Magnetic Biopolymer Nanocomposite and Its Application for Preparing Novel Bioasphalt Coating Binder

Abstract

Magnetic bio-composites attract the attention of many researchers due to their unique properties. Also, using asphalt in industrial applications became very important according to environmental and economical issues. In this research, the chemical co-precipitation method was used to synthesize a magnetic biopolymer nanocomposite CaNiFe2O4@Chitosan with the weight ratios of 35 wt%/65 wt%. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized by powder XRD, FTIR, VSM, SBET and TEM techniques. Additionally, the nanocomposite was used for the preparation of a novel bio-asphalt coating binder. CaNiFe2O4@Chitosan was added to asphalt 60/70 with the percentages of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 % (wt/wt) to obtain a material with distinctive characteristics; novel nano-composite modified asphalt (NCMA). Also, it was tested to be applied in painting using the Konig pendulum. Additionally, the adhesion and dry-to-touch times were determined. This study reveals that the physical, mechanical, and rheological properties of asphalt binders can be improved to be used in different applications such as painting and coating by utilizing the synthesized CaNiFe2O4@Chitosan nanocomposite as a biomodifier.