Biplab K. Deka

Effect of SiO2 and nanoclay on the properties of wood polymer nanocomposite

Wood polymer composite (WPC) were developed by using solution blended high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), Phragmites karka wood flour and polyethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate. The effect of addition of nanoclay and SiO2 on the properties of the composite was examined. X-ray diffractrometry and transmission electron microscopy were used to study the distribution of silicate layers and SiO2 nanopowder in the composite. The improvement in miscibility among the polymers and WPC was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study revealed the interaction between polymer, wood, clay and SiO2. WPC treated with 3xa0wt% each of clay and SiO2 showed an excellent improvement in mechanical properties, thermal and flame retarding properties. Water uptake of WPC was found to decrease on incorporation of nanoclay and SiO2 in WPC.

Synergistic effect of SiO2, ZnO and nanoclay on mechanical and thermal properties of wood polymer nanocomposite

Wood polymer composite (WPC) was prepared using solution-blended high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), wood flour (WF) and polyethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate (PE-co-GMA). The effect of nanoclay, SiO2 and ZnO addition on the properties of the composite was examined. The distribution of silicate layers, SiO2 and ZnO nanopowder was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The improvement in miscibility among polymers was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) studies reveal the interaction between polymer, wood, clay, SiO2 and ZnO. WPC treated with 3 phr each of clay, SiO2 and ZnO showed an improvement in mechanical properties, thermal stability and a decrease in water uptake capacity.

Plant fibre reinforced polymer blend/clay nanocomposite

Wood polymer nanocomposite was prepared using solution-blended high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene and poly(vinyl chloride) and Ipomoea carniva wood flour. Polyethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate and nanoclay were used as compatibilizer and reinforcing agent. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies indicated that wood polymer nanocomposite treated with 3u2009phr nanoclay exhibited better dispersion compared to that treated with 1 and 5u2009phr nanoclay. The increase in miscibility among polymers due to addition of polyethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate was examined by scanning electron microscope. Wood polymer nanocomposite treated with 3u2009phr nanoclay showed highest ultraviolet and chemical resistance properties. Incorporation of nanoclay had improved the biodegradability of the composite. Water absorption was found to improve in nanoclay loaded wood polymer nanocomposite.

Melamine-Formaldehyde Acrylamide and Gum Polymer Impregnated Wood Polymer Nanocomposite

Melamine-formaldehyde acrylamide (MFA) copolymer was prepared and vacuum impregnated into wood in presence of 1,3-dimethylol 4,5-dihydroxyethylene urea (DMDHEU) as crosslinker, vinyltrichlorosilane (VTCS) modified montmorillonite (MMT) and Gum Polymer (GP) derived from Moringa oleifera as a flame retarding agent under catalyst heat treatment. The formation of MFA and DMDHEU was confirmed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) studies. The crystallinity of the composites and interaction among them was studied by X-ray Diffractometry (XRD) and FTIR study. Maximum interaction was found in wood samples treated with MFA/DMDHEU/GP (3 phr)/MMT as shown by FTIR. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of polymer and MMT in the composites. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) study indicated the incorporation of MMT into the wood polymer composite. Thermal stability and flammability were checked by Thermogravimetric Analyser (TGA) and Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) instrument. The treatment of wood with GP had a significant influence on the thermal stability and flame retardant properties of the composites. Remarkable improvement in water repellency and chemical resistance was found for the treated wood samples. The composites showed significant improvement in mechanical properties due to treatment.

Effect of Different Compatibilisers and Nanoclays on the Physical Properties of Wood (Phragmites Karka)–Polymer Composites

Wood–polymer composites (WPCs) were prepared by solution blending of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (1:1:0.5), wood four, nanoclay, and compatibiliser. Compatibility among different polymers as well as with wood four was evaluated by using different kinds of compatibiliser, namely glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) and polyethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate (PE-co-GMA). The formation of a nanocomposite was confirmed by XRD and TEM studies. SEM study showed that maximum improvement in compatibility of nanoclay-reinforced WPCs was achieved by using a mixture of compatibilisers (GMA + PE-co-GMA + PE-g-MA). FTIR study indicated an interaction between the polymer blend, wood four, nanoclay, and the compatibiliser. WPCs prepared by using blended compatibiliser, nanoclay, and 40 phr wood four exhibited maximum hardness, thermal stability, mechanical and fame-retardant properties. The water uptake capacity of blended-compatibiliser-based wood–polymer nanocomposites was lower than that of individual-compatibiliser-based nanocomposites.