Hakimah Osman

Mechanical and thermal properties of coconut shell powder filled polylactic acid biocomposites: effects of the filler content and silane coupling agent

The effects of the filler content and the coupling agent 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (3-APE) on the mechanical properties, thermal properties, and morphologies of polylactic acid (PLA)/coconut shell powder (CSP) biocomposites were investigated. It was found that increasing the CSP content decreased the tensile strengths and elongations at break of the PLA/CSP biocomposites. However, incorporating CSP increased their modulus of elasticity. The tensile strengths and modulus of elasticity of the PLA/CSP biocomposites were enhanced by the presence of 3-APE, which can be attributed to a stronger filler–matrix interaction. The thermal stabilities of the biocomposites increased with the filler content, and they were enhanced by 3-APE treatment. Meanwhile, the presence of CSP increased the glass transition temperatures (Tg) and crystallinities (Xc) of the PLA/CSP biocomposites at a filler content of 30 php. After 3-APE treatment, Tg and Xc of the PLA/CSP biocomposites increased due to enhanced interfacial bonding. The presence of a peak crystallization temperature (Tc) for the PLA/CSP biocomposites indicated that the CSP has a nucleating effect. The melting temperatures (Tm) and the Tc values of the biocomposites were not significantly affected by the filler content and 3-APE. PLA/CSP biocomposites that had been treated with 3-APE presented the strongest filler–matrix interaction, as confirmed by SEM.

Utilization of cocoa pod husk as filler in polypropylene biocomposites: Effect of maleated polypropylene

The aim of the research was to utilize cocoa pod husk (CPH) in polypropylene (PP) biocomposites. Maleated polypropylene (MAPP) was used as coupling agent to improve the properties of PP/CPH biocomposites. The addition of MAPP had increased the stabilization torque of PP/CPH biocomposites. The tensile strength and modulus of PP/CPH with MAPP were higher compared to PP/CPH biocomposites without MAPP, except the elongation at break decreased. The crystallinity and thermal stability of PP/CPH biocomposites with MAPP increased. These improvements were due to the enhanced interfacial bonding between CPH and PP matrix, which were proved by SEM analysis.

Effects of Durian Seed Flour on Processing Torque, Tensile, Thermal and Biodegradation Properties of Polypropylene and High Density Polyethylene Composites

Composites containing various percentage of durian seed flour (DSF) in the polypropylene (PP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) have been compounded using an internal mixer. The processing torque, tensile, thermal and biodegradation properties have been determined. The incorporation of DSF increases stabilization torque and had adversely affected the mechanical properties by reducing the tensile strength and elongation at break, while the elastic modulus is increased, as starch content increases. At similar filler content, DSF filled PP showed higher tensile strength and elastic modulus, while lower in elongation at break than DSF-filled HDPE. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of tensile fracture specimens revealed good adhesion and dispersion of the DSF granules in the polymer matrix. However, the SEM results showed agglomeration of the DSF at higher filler content in the polymer and hence revealed poor wetting between DSF granules and polymer. The TGA results showed that both of the composites s...

Tensile Properties of Polypropylene/Cocoa Pod Husk Biocomposites: Effect of Maleated Polypropylene

Polypropylene/Cocoa Pod Husk (PP/CPH) biocomposites with different maleated polypropylene (MAPP) content were prepared via melt blending process using Brabender Plastrograph mixer. The tensile strength and tensile modulus of PP/CPH biocomposites increased with increasing of MAPP content. The PP/CPH biocomposites with 5 phr of MAPP showed the optimum improvement on tensile properties. However, the increased of MAPP content reduced the elongation at break of PP/CPH biocomposites. At 5 phr of MAPP content, PP/CPH biocomposites showed lowest elongation at break. Scanning electron microscope confirms the PP/CPH biocomposites with MAPP have better filler-matrix interaction and adhesion due to the effect of MAPP.

Surface Modification of Elateriospermum tapos Seed Shell Recycled Polypropylene Composites

The influence of the filler content and surface modification of Elateriospermum tapos seed shell (ETSS)-filled recycled polypropylene (rPP) on the tensile, thermal, and morphological properties was investigated. Maleic acid (MA) was used for the chemical modification of ETSS. It was found that increasing the ETSS content decreased the tensile strength and elongation at break of composites. However, the modulus of elasticity increased with the addition of ETSS. The thermal properties of composites were examined using thermal analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The addition of ETSS indicated better thermal stability of rPP/ETSS composites. The degree of crystallinity (Xc) of the composites decreased with increasing ETSS content. The tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of modified composites was higher than unmodified composites. Surface modification with maleic acid increased the thermal stability and crystallinity of the modified rPP/ETSS composites. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the filler-matrix interaction improved with the modification of ETSS with maleic acid.

Corn Stalk Filled Low Density Polyethylene Bio Composites: Influence Maleic Anhydride Grafted Polyetylene

The effect of corn stalk content and compatibilizer on tensile properties and morphology of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)/Corn Stalk (CS) biocomposites was studied. The results found that the tensile strength and elongation at break decreased, but Young’s modulus increased with increasing CS content. The dispersion and interfacial adhesion between the CS filler and thermoplastic were important factors affecting the tensile properties of composites system. In order to improve the compatibility and interfacial adhesion, maleic anhydride polyethylene (MAPE) as compatibilizer was added into LDPE/CS biocomposites. The addition of MAPE has enhanced tensile properties and interfacial interaction between CS and LDPE biocomposites, as demonstrated in SEM study.

Development of Biocomposites from Cocoa Pod Husk and Polypropylene: Effect of Filler Content and 3-Aminopropyltriethoxylsilane

Cocoa pod husk (CPH) is a waste material from cocoa industry. This work describes the development of biocomposites from polypropylene and cocoa pod husk. 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (3-APE) is used as coupling agent in filler treatment of CPH. The treated CPH with 3-APE had raised the stabilization torque of PP/CPH biocomposites. The results of tensile test and scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicated that 3-APE given coupling effect on PP/ CPH biocomposites. The presence of covalent bonds between CPH and 3-APE was confirmed by Fourier transmission infra-red (FTIR) analysis, while the improvement of thermal stability and crystallization were evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

Extraction of silica content from the Cymbopogan citratus (lemon grass) and its performance as reinforcement for polymers

Silica is widely used as sources for adsorption materials, medical additives and fillers in composite and rubber industries. The manufacturing process of commercial silica use in various industries is very expensive and energy extensive. Therefore, agricultural waste material such as lemon grass is seen as a potential alternative silica sources for replacement of commercial silica which is currently available in the industry. In this research, a simple method based on the acid leaching treatment with hydrochloric acid (HCl) was developed to produce purified silica from lemon grass, followed by thermal combustion at 600°C. Acid leaching temperatures of 33, 50, 80 and 110°C were used. The silica content, shape and texture of the lemon grass ash was characterized using scanning electron microcopy -energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis. The SEM analysis indicated the presence of tubular-shaped porous aggregates, spherical and fibrous shapes of untreated and treated lemon grass at 33°C to 110 °C. The high...

Influence of Methacrylic Acid Modification on Tensile Properties of Polypropylene/Cocoa Pod Husk Biocomposites

In this research, cocoa pod husk (by-product from cocoa industrial) has been utilized as filler in polypropylene (PP) matrix biocomposites. The CPH filler was modified with different contents of methacrylic acid (MAA) and its effect on tensile properties of PP/CPH biocomposites was investigated. The result showed that 3% of MAA gave the optimum improvement on tensile strength and tensile modulus of PP/CPH biocomposites. However, the MAA modification reduced the elongation at break of PP/CPH biocomposites. The improvement of tensile properties is attributed by the presence of MAA enhancing the filler-matrix interfacial bonding. The scanning electron microscope results indicated that the modified CPH exhibited less filler pull-out and was well wetted by the PP matrix, which indicated better interfacial bonding. Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR) confirm that the MAA was covalently bonded to the CPH filler surface. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Thermogravimetric Analysis of Different Calcination Temperature of Lemon Grass Ash

Lemon grass ash is produced at 0, 400, 525, 600 and 700°C calcination temperatures. The thermal stability of lemon grass ash calcination at various temperatures was examined by using a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) instrument. The lemon grass ash calcinated at 700°C exhibit the highest thermal stability due to the highest combustion of high amount of minerals such as silica, potassium and calcium occur in the sample at high temperature. Besides, lemon grass calcinated at 0°C (as control element) showed the lowest thermal stability due to the present of carboneous substance such as hemicellulose and lignin. However, the thermal stability of lemon grass ash is increased at higher calcination temperatures.