Rohah A. Majid

Effects of montmorillonite (MMT) on morphological, tensile, physical barrier properties and biodegradability of polylactic acid/starch/MMT nanocomposites

Biodegradable polymer nanocomposites have received great attention due to their synergistic properties of good mechanical and barrier properties; yet, they are biodegradable. In this research, prior to compression into thin sheets, polylactic acid (PLA), tapioca starch, glycerol and maleic anhydride (MA) were compounded with different loadings of montmorillonite (MMT) through a twin screw extruder. MMT was added to improve the mechanical and barrier properties of PLA/starch blend. The effects of MMT loadings on tensile property, morphology and biodegradability were studied. X-Ray diffraction analysis showed that samples with MMT loadings below 6 phr exhibited exfoliated structure, while samples that contained MMT above 6 phr (5.66 wt%) exhibited intercalated structure. The exfoliated-type structure was observed using transmission electron microscopy. These effects were manifested in the tensile results, which showed an increase in modulus, tensile strength and elongation at break. However, for the modulus, the MMT content was limited to 4 phr (3.85 wt%). Beyond that, the modulus decreased. It was thought that above 4 phr, the MMT particles agglomerated, thus reducing the modulus of the samples. This argument was supported by field emission scanning electron microscopic images, which showed big lump when MMT loadings were at 6 and 8 phr (7.41 wt%). Meanwhile, the addition of MMT has improved the water barrier property and hastened the rate of biodegradation. The nanosized MMT particles disturb the continuity of PLA/starch chain, which formed pathways for microorganisms to enter and attack the chain, thus increasing the biodegradation rate. The particle is also able to block a tortuous pathway for water to enter the starch chain, thus reducing the water uptake and improving the physical barrier of nanocomposite.

Grafting Efficiency of Lignin-Grafted-Polyacrylic Acid

Agriculture biomasses have been successfully converted into value-added products such as biocomposite plastics, furniture, papers and textiles. However, only the cellulose parts of these lignocellulosic materials are being used while other components such as lignin and wax are discarded. For a tropical country like Malaysia, banana stem is one of the sources of biomasses. Like other biomasses-based products, only cellulose part of banana stem is used while the lignin portion is discarded due to overly hydrophilic character. This water-loving property of lignin can be manipulated into specific application such as water absorbent for waste treatment. This research is aimed to synthesis water absorbent-based lignin from banana stem. The lignin had been extracted from banana stem using Kraft process prior to grafted with acrylic acid monomer (AA) in order to increase its water absorbency. The reaction was carried out via free radical polymerization in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as initiator and ammonium iron (II) sulfate hexahydrate as catalyst. The reaction temperature was set at 60°C. Grafting efficiency of polyacrylic acid (PAA) onto lignin backbone was determined by varying the amounts of AA monomer, lignin and initiator. The highest grafting percentage was acquired at 60% with the amount of 6ml acrylic acid, 2ml initiator and 0.2g lignin respectively.

Effects of Silicone Surfactant on the Water Absorption and Surface Morphology of Rigid Palm Oil-Based Polyurethane Foam

Polyurethane (PU) foams are widely used today in automotive and as insulation system. Due to environmental issues, efforts have been made to replace petrochemical polyol with natural-based polyol in PU foam production, without sacrificing any properties. This study aims to produce palm oil-based PU rigid foam for non-load bearing applications such as wall panel or insulation for buildings. Two parameters studied were percentage of water uptake and surface foam morphology. Palm oil-based polyol (POP) was reacted with polymeric 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (p-MDI) at 1:1 NCO:OH ratio. Water was used as blowing agent and silicone surfactant was added to produce stable rigid PU foam. The content of silicone surfactant was varied at 2 and 3 part by weight (pbw). The percentage of water uptake increased slightly with increasing surfactant contents due to siloxane portion of the surfactants, is thought able to reduce the surface tension of the cell, thus absorbing more water than 2 pbw surfactant content. The findings were supported with micrographs of scanning electron microscope (SEM) that showed a larger cell window area and thicker strut.

Effect of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch-Grafted-Poly(Acrylic Acid-co-Acrylamide) Hydrogel Preparations on Plant Growth Performance

Two series of oil palm empty fruit bunch-grafted-poly (acrylic acid-co-acrylamide) [OPEFB-g-P(AA-co-AA slow release fertilizer hydrogels (SRFHs) were prepared via two different techniques namely double dryings of hydrogel (T1) and in situ intercalated urea (T2). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy spectra showed-OH of OPEFB successfully grafted within P(AA-co-AAm) in T1 and T2. Water retention test of red okra plant (abelmoschus escule) and plant growth of rose balsam plant (impatiens balsamina) had showed that no biuret production has occurred in T2 and is more convenient in term of economic production as it requires only one drying process.

Study on Synthesis of Polypyrrole via Chemical Polymerization Method

Conductive polypyrrole (PPy) was synthesized using a chemical polymerization method in aqueous solution. A series of reactions were carried out with different reaction times of 240 mins and 20 mins. All results were compared to find the highest conductivity and yield. The formation of PPy was verified with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis which has detected the C-N and pyrrole stretching peaks at 1462 cm-1 and 1169 cm-1, respectively, while the x-ray diffraction (XRD) study has shown a broad halo pattern around 25 ̊ related to PPy. The PPy particles sizes of 5-20 microns were measured from the scanning electron microscope (SEM) image. It was found that in the presence of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (DBSNa) as surfactant, the highest conductivity value of 3.18 S/cm and yield of 68% were achieved at 20 mins reaction time and temperature of 0 °C.

The effect of EGDMA on tensile and thermal properties of irradiated low density polyethylene/sepiolite nanocomposites

This study presents the influence of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a crosslinking agent through electron beam crosslinking process. Therefore, the effects of EGDMA on irradiated low density polyethylene/sepiolite (LDPE/SEP) nanocomposites on the tensile and thermal properties at 4 part per hundred resin (phr) sepiolite were investigated. The LDPE/SEP nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing using twin screw extruder at 160 ˚C with a screw speed of 50 rpm. The nanocomposites were then undergone injection moulding process followed by irradiated using 2 MeV electron beam machine at doses ranging from 0 to 200 kGy in the air at ambient temperature. It was found that the tensile strength and Young’s modulus were slightly increased with the presence of co-agent. The sample containing 4 phr sepiolite at 200 kGy showed 9% increase in tensile strength when EGDMA was added. However, the result of thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) showed some reduction in thermal stability of nanocomposites on 100 kGy i...

Rigid polyurethane/oil palm fibre biocomposite foam

Rigid polyurethane (PU) biocomposite foam had been successfully prepared by reacting palm oil-derived polyol (PO-p) with polymeric 4, 4-diphenylmethane diisocynate (p-MDI). Two types of alkali-treated oil palm fibres namely, empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm pressed fibre (PPF) were used as fillers to be incorporated into PU foam at 2.5 wt%, 5 wt% and 7.5 wt% fibre loadings. The effects of these fibres on surface morphology, compressive strength and thermal transition behaviours of biocomposite foams were investigated. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) analysis confirmed the formation of urethane linkages (-NHCOO) in all samples at 1530-1540 cm−1. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed the average melting peak temperature (Tm) of biocomposite foams (132°C) were lower Tm than that of pure PU foam (161.67°C) and the increase amount of fibres did not give significant effect on the Tm of both biocomposite systems. Meanwhile, the microscopic images of PU-PPF foams exhibited smaller and uniform cell size morphologies compared with the PU-EFB foams that had coarse and irregular cell sizes, especially at 7.5wt% EFB. These findings were manifested with the gradually increase of compressive strength of PU-PPF at all PPF ratios while for PU-EFB system, the compressive strength increased up to 5 wt% before reduced at 7.5 wt% loading. It was thought due to the residual oil in PPF fibre had plasticized the PU matrix to a little extent, thus helping the dispersion of PPF fibre across the matrix.Rigid polyurethane (PU) biocomposite foam had been successfully prepared by reacting palm oil-derived polyol (PO-p) with polymeric 4, 4-diphenylmethane diisocynate (p-MDI). Two types of alkali-treated oil palm fibres namely, empty fruit bunch (EFB) and palm pressed fibre (PPF) were used as fillers to be incorporated into PU foam at 2.5 wt%, 5 wt% and 7.5 wt% fibre loadings. The effects of these fibres on surface morphology, compressive strength and thermal transition behaviours of biocomposite foams were investigated. Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) analysis confirmed the formation of urethane linkages (-NHCOO) in all samples at 1530-1540 cm−1. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed the average melting peak temperature (Tm) of biocomposite foams (132°C) were lower Tm than that of pure PU foam (161.67°C) and the increase amount of fibres did not give significant effect on the Tm of both biocomposite systems. Meanwhile, the microscopic images of PU-PPF foams exhibited smaller and uniform...

Rigid palm oil-based polyurethane foam reinforced with diamine-modified montmorillonite nanoclay

This paper presents work on organically-modified montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay embedded in rigid palm oil-based polyurethane (PU) foam. MMT was modified with organic surfactant diamino propane (DAP). PU foam was fabricated in closed mold, and the amount of DAP-MMT was varied in each foam formulation. The obtained foam was tested for its microstructure and morphology. Appearance of peaks from infra-red spectra corresponding to N-H, C=O, and C-N confirms the formation of PU networks. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed fine, closed-cellular structure at low clay loading; increasing DAP-MMT content induced larger cell sizes with blowholes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates fully-exfoliated clays at 1 wt. % and partial-exfoliation at 3 wt. % clay loading, suggesting clumping of clays as DAP-MMT content increased.

Effects of stone powder on water absorption and biodegradability of low density polyethylene/palm pressed fibre composite film

This study was aimed to develop semi-biodegradable low density polyethylene (LDPE)/oil palm pressed fibre (PPF) composite film for agriculture applications such as nursery bag and plastic mulch. Biodegradability and water absorbency are among the properties need to be considered. Biocomposite plastic that rich with cellulose normally takes faster time to biodegrade as the fibres become the food source of microbes in soil. It also absorbs water easily due to hydrogen bonding formation between the cellulose and the water molecules. To have a balance between these properties is important to determine the service life of the film. Inorganic filler, stone powder with particle size of 37 micron was incorporated at 5, 10 and 15 phr into a mixture of LDPE/PPF, in order to improve both properties. The stone has undergone a catalytic transmuted process to produce fine powder using technology patented by Blapol Sdn Bhd. The mixture was compounded using twin screw extruder and palletized prior to blown into a sheet of film. The effects of stone powder onto water absorption and biodegradability were studied. The percentage of water absorption was decreased about 13 % with addition of 15 phr stone powder, which is thought due to the ability of stone powder to interfere the formation of hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl groups of cellulose and water molecules. Meanwhile, the weight loss in biodegradability test has been slow down, probably due to inorganic nature of stone powder that takes longer time to be digested by microbes in soil.

Modification of Montmorillonite with Diamine Surfactants

Sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) was modified with various type of diamine surfactants. The modification imparts hydrophobic characters of MMT, thus enhancing its compatibility and dispersibility in polymer matrix. In this research, pristine MMT was modified with three types of diamine surfactants, namely, 1,3 diaminopropane (DAP), 1,8 diamino octane (DAO) and 1,5 diamino-2-Methyl pentane (DAMP). These diamines have different molecular structures where DAP has a short linear structure, DAO has eight carbons while DAMP has a methyl branch on its backbone. The modification was carried via cationic exchange process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed the enhancement of d-spacing of MMT galleries and the formation of intercalated structure with the incorporation of diamines. Overall, type of diamines did not give significant effect on the d-spacing values with DAMP-MMT exhibited a slightly higher d-spacing at 13. 36 Å. The presence of methyl branch on the DAMP backbone was thought provide more spacing for the diamine to intercalate through the MMT gallery. Meanwhile, the detection of –NH bending amine group at 1470 cm-1 on the Fourier infrared (FTIR) spectra, corresponding to the free surfactant tail, had confirmed the successfulness of cationic exchange reaction between the diamines and MMT surface.