Effect of Filler Concentration and Frequency on the Dielectric Properties of Bitter Cola Seed Carbonized HDPE

• Author(s): Uchechukwu Vincent Okpala; Odunze Chike Barthlomew; Joy Ifeoma Emeodi
• Paper ID: 1719744
• Page: 1054-1057
• Published Date: 12-07-2026
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 10 Issue 1 July-2026

Abstract

In this work, we studied the development of a sustainable, high-performance green dielectric material. This was achieved through the use of bitter cola (Garcinia kola) seed as a conductive filler in a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). The bitter cola seeds were carbonized at 700°C under an inert atmosphere to get biochar. It was mixed and compressed with melted high density polyethylene. This enabled us to form composite sheets with varying filler concentrations of 0 wt.%, 5 wt.%, 10 wt.%, 15 wt.%, and 20 wt.%. We determined the dielectric properties; relative permittivity (ε′), dielectric loss factor (ε′′), and loss tangent (tanδ) over a wide frequency spectrum of 102 Hz to 106 Hz at room temperature. The results showed that the relative permittivity increased non-linearly with biochar loading, thereby showing a dramatic enhancement, as the concentration approached the percolation threshold at approximately 15 wt.%. Conversely, a strong frequency dispersion was observed as ε′ and ε′′ decreased significantly with increasing frequency. This behavior was accurately described by the Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars (MWS) interfacial polarization mechanism. This work introduced a viable, low-cost path for green functional bio-composites for embedded capacitors, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications.

Citations

IRE Journals:
Uchechukwu Vincent Okpala, Odunze Chike Barthlomew, Joy Ifeoma Emeodi "Effect of Filler Concentration and Frequency on the Dielectric Properties of Bitter Cola Seed Carbonized HDPE" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 10 Issue 1 2026 Page 1054-1057

IEEE:
Uchechukwu Vincent Okpala, Odunze Chike Barthlomew, Joy Ifeoma Emeodi "Effect of Filler Concentration and Frequency on the Dielectric Properties of Bitter Cola Seed Carbonized HDPE" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 10, no. 1, Jul. 2026

APA:
Uchechukwu Vincent Okpala, Odunze Chike Barthlomew, Joy Ifeoma Emeodi (2026). Effect of Filler Concentration and Frequency on the Dielectric Properties of Bitter Cola Seed Carbonized HDPE. Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 10(1).

MLA:
Uchechukwu Vincent Okpala, Odunze Chike Barthlomew, Joy Ifeoma Emeodi "Effect of Filler Concentration and Frequency on the Dielectric Properties of Bitter Cola Seed Carbonized HDPE" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 10, no. 1, Jul. 2026.

BibTeX

@article{1719744,
author = {Uchechukwu Vincent Okpala, Odunze Chike Barthlomew, Joy Ifeoma Emeodi},
title = {Effect of Filler Concentration and Frequency on the Dielectric Properties of Bitter Cola Seed Carbonized HDPE},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {1054-1057},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1719744.pdf},
abstract = {In this work, we studied the development of a sustainable, high-performance green dielectric material. This was achieved through the use of bitter cola (Garcinia kola) seed as a conductive filler in a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). The bitter cola seeds were carbonized at 700°C under an inert atmosphere to get biochar. It was mixed and compressed with melted high density polyethylene. This enabled us to form composite sheets with varying filler concentrations of 0 wt.%, 5 wt.%, 10 wt.%, 15 wt.%, and 20 wt.%. We determined the dielectric properties; relative permittivity (ε′), dielectric loss factor (ε′′), and loss tangent (tanδ) over a wide frequency spectrum of 102 Hz to 106 Hz at room temperature. The results showed that the relative permittivity increased non-linearly with biochar loading, thereby showing a dramatic enhancement, as the concentration approached the percolation threshold at approximately 15 wt.%. Conversely, a strong frequency dispersion was observed as ε′ and ε′′ decreased significantly with increasing frequency. This behavior was accurately described by the Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars (MWS) interfacial polarization mechanism. This work introduced a viable, low-cost path for green functional bio-composites for embedded capacitors, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding applications.},
month = {July}
}