Organically modified concrete waste with oleic acid: Preparation and characterization

The aim of this study is to modify demolition concrete waste (CW) with oleic acid (OA), to be used as filler in polymeric composites for the building industry. The OA was chosen in order to ease the mixing of the CW into the polymeric matrix. In this article, we report the preparation and characterization of this CW–OA filler. After crushing and sifting, the CW particles were chemically modified with OA via sonication. The results of the modification were assessed using X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, wide angle X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray detector. The FT-IR spectrum revealed that the OA was bonded to the surface of the CW particles by the carboxylate group. The TG/DTG curves showed an increase in the thermal stability of the OA, due to this bonding on the CW surface. The SEM and EDX analysis showed the insertion of OA on the CW surface. The results suggest that the proposed CW–OA modification was successful. This material can be used as an interesting eco-friendly filler in polymeric composites.