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Mokgaotsa Jonas Mochane

Bio: Mokgaotsa Jonas Mochane is an academic researcher from Central University of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Wax & Materials science. The author has an hindex of 14, co-authored 65 publications receiving 642 citations. Previous affiliations of Mokgaotsa Jonas Mochane include Tshwane University of Technology & University of Zululand.

Papers published on a yearly basis

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors cover recent developments from 2013-up to date on hybrid composites, based on natural fibers with other fillers, and the current challenges are also presented.
Abstract: Natural fibers, as replacement of engineered fibers, have been one of the most researched topics over the past years. This is due to their inherent properties, such as biodegradability, renewability and their abundant availability when compared to synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers derived from finite resources (fossil fuels) and are thus, affected mainly by volatility oil prices and their accumulation in the environment and/or landfill sites as main drawbacks their mechanical properties and thermal properties surpass that of natural fibers. A combination of these fibers/fillers, as reinforcement of various polymeric materials, offers new opportunities to produce multifunctional materials and structures for advanced applications. This article intends to cover recent developments from 2013-up to date on hybrid composites, based on natural fibers with other fillers. Hybrid composites preparation and characterization towards their applicability in advanced applications and the current challenges are also presented.

242 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of different methods for the electrospinning of polycaprolactone (PCL) and its composites for advanced applications is presented, and the steady state conditions as well as the effect of the electro-spinning parameters on the resultant morphology of electrospun fiber are also reported.
Abstract: Polycaprolactone (PCL) is one of the most used synthetic polymers for medical applications due to its biocompatibility and slow biodegradation character. Combining the inherent properties of the PCL matrix with the characteristic of nanofibrous particles, result into promising materials that can be suitable for different applications, including the biomedical applications. The advantages of nanofibrous structures include large surface area, a small diameter of pores and a high porosity, which make them of great interest in different applications. Electrospinning, as technique, has been heavily used for the preparation of nano- and micro-sized fibers. This review discusses the different methods for the electrospinning of PCL and its composites for advanced applications. Furthermore, the steady state conditions as well as the effect of the electrospinning parameters on the resultant morphology of the electrospun fiber are also reported.

115 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
09 Dec 2018-Polymers
TL;DR: This review addresses the critical factors in the manufacturing of PLA-cellulosic nanomaterials by using conventional techniques and recent advances needed to promote and improve the dispersion of the cellulosic nmaterials.
Abstract: Over the past decades, research has escalated on the use of polylactic acid (PLA) as a replacement for petroleum-based polymers. This is due to its valuable properties, such as renewability, biodegradability, biocompatibility and good thermomechanical properties. Despite possessing good mechanical properties comparable to conventional petroleum-based polymers, PLA suffers from some shortcomings such as low thermal resistance, heat distortion temperature and rate of crystallization, thus different fillers have been used to overcome these limitations. In the framework of environmentally friendly processes and products, there has been growing interest on the use of cellulose nanomaterials viz. cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and nanofibers (CNF) as natural fillers for PLA towards advanced applications other than short-term packaging and biomedical. Cellulosic nanomaterials are renewable in nature, biodegradable, eco-friendly and they possess high strength and stiffness. In the case of eco-friendly processes, various conventional processing techniques, such as melt extrusion, melt-spinning, and compression molding, have been used to produce PLA composites. This review addresses the critical factors in the manufacturing of PLA-cellulosic nanomaterials by using conventional techniques and recent advances needed to promote and improve the dispersion of the cellulosic nanomaterials. Different aspects, including morphology, mechanical behavior and thermal properties, as well as comparisons of CNC- and CNF-reinforced PLA, are also discussed.

105 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the preparation and characterization of polystyrene (PS) capsules containing Fischer-Tropsch paraffin wax (PS:wax) as phase change material (PCM) for thermal energy storage embedded in a polypropylene (PP) matrix was investigated.

58 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, shape-stabilized phase-change materials (PCM) for thermal energy storage, based on a soft Fischer-Tropsch paraffin wax, were blended with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
Abstract: This article reports on the morphology, melting and crystallization behavior, thermal stability, flammability and thermal conductivity of shape-stabilized phase-change materials (PCM) for thermal energy storage, based on a soft Fischer–Tropsch paraffin wax, the PCM, blended with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). These immiscible blends were melt-mixed with expanded graphite (EG) (up to 9 wt%) to improve the thermal conductivity and flame resistance of the material. It was observed that the EG particles agglomerate in the absence of wax, but disperse much better in the EVA/wax blend, probably because the wax penetrates in between the EG layers (there seems to be a better interaction between wax and EG than between EVA and EG) and separates the layers, giving rise to smaller and better dispersed EG particles. This gives rise to better thermal conductivity and flame resistance. There were no significant changes in the melting temperature of EVA in the EVA/EG composites, while the crystallinities of EVA were observably lower in the presence of EG. The thermal stability and flammability results show an increase in thermal stability and flame resistance of EVA, which further improved in the presence of wax because of the smaller and better dispersed EG particles in these systems. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1255–1262, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers

56 citations


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01 Jan 2016

1,664 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the shape stability of phase change materials is investigated in thermal management and energy storage systems, and the critical issues in different shape-stabilization strategies and the possible rectifications are discussed.

500 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors have reviewed the different sources of natural fibers, their properties, modification of natural fiber, the effect of treatments on natural fibers and their effective use as reinforcement for polymer composite materials.
Abstract: The increase in awareness of the damage caused by synthetic materials on the environment has led to the development of eco-friendly materials. The researchers have shown a lot of interest in developing such materials which can replace the synthetic materials. As a result, there is an increase in demand for commercial use of the natural fiber-based composites in recent years for various industrial sectors. Natural fibers are sustainable materials which are easily available in nature and have advantages like low-cost, lightweight, renewability, biodegradability and high specific properties. The sustainability of the natural fiber-based composite materials has led to upsurge its applications in various manufacturing sectors. In this paper, we have reviewed the different sources of natural fibers, their properties, modification of natural fibers, the effect of treatments on natural fibers, etc. We also summarize the major applications of natural fibers and their effective use as reinforcement for polymer composite materials.

441 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide an overview of various encapsulation techniques, test methods for MPCMs as well as applications of MPCMMs in buildings, and several micro-encapsulation methods by which the microcapsules of a wide range of sizes between 0.05μm and 5000μm can be produced.

301 citations

01 Jan 2002
TL;DR: In this article, two series of composites with and without the presence of a bonding agent were studied and the properties of the composites such as tensile strength, tensile modulus, tear strength, elongation at break and hardness were studied.
Abstract: Bamboo fibre reinforced natural rubber composites were prepared by incorporation of different loadings of bamboo fibre. Two series of composites were studied i.e. composites with and without the presence of a bonding agent. The curing characteristics of the composites were determined and the composites were vulcanized at 150°C using a hot press. The properties of the composites such as tensile strength, tensile modulus, tear strength, elongation at break and hardness were studied. The adhesion between the bamboo fibre and the natural rubber were enhanced by the addition of bonding agent as exhibited by the tensile fracture surfaces of the composites using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of bonding agent also gave shorter curing time and enhanced mechanical properties.  2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

301 citations