Nigerian Researcher Uncovers Key to Sustainable Construction Materials

Mary Nnah

Dr. Akinyemi Banjo Ayobami, a renowned Nigerian engineer and COREN-registered professional and researcher, has made significant strides in the field of sustainable construction materials and environmental sustainability.
His impressive body of work, comprising over 50 peer-reviewed papers and a book chapter, has garnered international recognition and acclaim.

Akinyemi’s research focuses on the innovative use of agricultural and industrial waste to enhance construction materials. One of his groundbreaking studies explores the incorporation of banana fibers and wood bottom ash (WBA) into cement mortars. This research addresses two pressing environmental concerns: the improper disposal of banana waste, which contributes to methane emissions and soil and water contamination, and the accumulation of wood bottom ash in landfills, which poses environmental challenges such as soil alkalization and heavy metal leaching.

The study demonstrates that the addition of banana fibers and WBA to cement mortars significantly enhances their mechanical properties, offering a dual benefit of waste reduction and material performance improvement. The optimal WBA content of 10% maximizes flexural strength, making the material more robust and durable. Furthermore, the inclusion of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) polymer improves the ductility of the composites, enhancing their resilience under stress.

Advanced analyses, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), reveal improved bonding between the fibers and the cement matrix, attributed to polymerization and pozzolanic reactions at the fiber-matrix interface. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis confirms the presence of functional groups that contribute to the enhanced performance of the composites. Thermal conductivity tests show that the developed composites exhibit low thermal conductivity, making them suitable for applications requiring good insulation properties.

The findings of this study hold significant promise for the construction industry, providing a pathway to creating high-performance, eco-friendly construction materials. These materials not only contribute to more sustainable building practices but also offer improved mechanical properties and durability, leading to longer-lasting structures. By integrating banana fibers and WBA into cement mortars, this research promotes a circular economy where waste is repurposed as valuable resources, aligning with global efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of the construction industry.

In summary, Dr. Akinyemi’s research exemplifies how sustainable innovations in material science can address environmental challenges while advancing the construction industry toward more sustainable and resilient practices.