Preface

The aim of this book is to present significant contributions in the field of composite structures based on sustainable solutions, including renewable materials. Although the content is based on several decades of research, the book also includes recent advances in this field.

The book is composed of seven chapters, starting with an introductory chapter, providing a broader introduction, supplementing the reader with further explanation of the purpose of the book, the nature of its content as well as the structure and its logic. The introductory chapter is followed by the presentation of methods to prepare and analyse composites, namely a review of the determinant factors that dictate the successful preparation of fibre-reinforced composites based on polymeric matrices and natural raw materials. This work is followed by a chapter on elastomeric composites filled with minerals at micro- and nanoscales. The next chapter attempts to answer another important challenge that society is facing: the production of clean energy. This chapter focuses on the development of 1D ZnO nanostructures to be employed in solar cells.

The next chapter presents a novel biocomposite developed in the context of one of the most important social challenges: the removal of pathogen colonies from contaminated waters. The work presented in this chapter do not only focus on the substitution of petroleum-derived materials by sustainable options. There is always an additional goal to answer other challenges and/or to improve the composite performance in a specific application.

The last three chapters are more focused on renewable and natural materials. First, the development of composites based on renewable, recyclable and natural materials, as well as biodegradable additives is presented. Finally, the book concludes with a chapter on the improvement of the mechanical properties of composites based on natural fibres for structural and biomedical applications.

**II**

**Chapter 7 113**

Improving the Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber Composites for

*by Owonubi J. Shesan, Agwuncha C. Stephen, Anusionwu G. Chioma,* 

Structural and Biomedical Applications

*Revaprasadu Neerish and Sadiku E. Rotimi*

**António B. Pereira and Fábio A. O. Fernandes** TEMA – Centre of Mechanical Technology and Automation, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

**1**

Section 1

The Importance of

Composites in the World

Section 1
