Investigation of physico-mechanical, themal, dynamic mechanical, morphological and optical properties on low density polyethylene/silica and polypropylene/clay nanocomposites

Brandon, Ka Jen Hau (2017) Investigation of physico-mechanical, themal, dynamic mechanical, morphological and optical properties on low density polyethylene/silica and polypropylene/clay nanocomposites. [Final Year Project Report] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Recently, polymer nanocomposites have received increasing research interest due to their superior properties as compared with other conventional composites. Thus, these superior properties of polymer nanocomposites can be achieved by introducing the nanoparticles or nanofillers into it. In this study, inorganic nanofillers such as fumed silica and nanoclay were used as reinforcing agents for the preparation of polymer nanocomposites. Fumed silica was introduced into the low-density polyethylene in order to produced polyethylene based nanocomposite while nanoclay was introduced into polypropylene as to produce polypropylene based nanocomposite. Both polyethylene and polypropylene based nanocomposites were prepared through direct melting method which this method is considered environmental friendly due to the reason of substances like organic solvents, organic surfactants and several specific chemical substances are not being used in this method. Physical and morphological properties of the nanocomposites were tested using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) testing. Tensile testing was carried out in order to observe the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. Other testing like Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) also were carried out in order to study the electrical and thermal properties of the nanocomposites. Both silica/low-density polyethylene and nanoclay/polypropylene nanocomposites showed enhanced tensile strength and modulus of elasticity as compared to pure low-density polyethylene and polypropylene. FTIR confirmed the presence of silica and nanoclay in the nanocomposites which these nanofillers help to improve the surface roughness and reduce the void fraction. SEM analysis proved that silica and nanocly based nanocomposites exhibited improved water uptake resistance comparing to the pure polymers. Both TGA and DSC tests showed that the addition of nanofillers like silica and nanoclay is able to enhance the thermal stability and heat resistance of both silica and nanoclay based nanocomposites.

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