Fabrication of Cellulose Based Reinforced Linear Low Density Polyethylene with Polyethylene Terephthalate Composite: Effect of Acacia catechu as Coupling Agent

Published Date

DOI: 10.4236/msa.2015.611099 

Author 

Lily R. Das^1,2, Mohammad Zahirul I. Mollah¹, Jahid M. M. Islam¹, Shireen Akhter³, Farid Ahmed²,Mubarak Ahmad Khan<sup>1*

Affiliations</sup> 

¹Institute of Radiation and Polymer Technology, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
²Department of Physics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Bangladesh.
³Material Science Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Abstract 

Biodegradable reinforced composites are playing a vital role in the variety of application for their outstanding performance. Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) and Polyethylene Tere-phthalate (PET) blends were prepared by twin screw extruder in different composition. The mechanical properties in 10% PET with LLDPE blend showed the best results where as tensile strength (TS) 9 MPa and percentage elongation at break (%Eb) 33. Cellulose based reinforced PET + LLDPE composite were prepared by compression molding with the optimized jute content 62% that revealed the highest mechanical properties. Cellulose based composites treated with Acacia catechu (AC) solutions (0.1% - 5% w/v) at different soaking time (2 - 20 min.) where observed significant improvement of the mechanical properties. Cellulose treated with 0.1% AC for 2 minutes soaking time depicted the highest mechanical properties and TS is 115% higher than untreated. Composite prepared with 0.1% AC treated showed the best mechanical properties as tensile strength (TS), bending strength (BS), tensile modulus (TM) and bending modulus (BM) were to be 47 MPa, 39 MPa, 1220 MPa and 1784 MPa respectively. The properties of TS, BS, TM and BM were improved as 9%, 30%, 14% and 34% respectively, which were better to untreated composite. Electrical properties such as dielectric constant and loss of the treated and untreated composites were found to be higher dielectric constant of treated jute composite than that of untreated samples. Water uptake and soil degradation of untreated and treated composites performed in significant study. The effect of AC with cellulose composites has found in remarkable changes in the mechanical properties.

References

[1]	Shibata, M., Takachiyo, K., Ozawa, K., Yosomiya, R. and Takeshi, H. (2002) Biodegradable Polyester Composites Reinforced with Short Abaca Fiber. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 85, 129-138. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.10665
[2]	Mizanur, R.M., Malik, A.K. and Khan, M.A. (2007) Influences of Various Surface Pretreatments on the Mechanical and Degradable Properties of Photografted Oil Palm Fibers. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 105, 3077-3086. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.26481
[3]	Reddy, N. and Yang, Y. (2006) Properties of High-Quality Long Natural Cellulose Fibers from Rice Straw. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 54, 8077-8081. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf0617723
[4]	Mwaikambo, L.Y. and Ansell, M.P. (2002) Chemical Modification of Hemp, Sisal, Jute, and Kapok Fibers by Alkalization. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 84, 2222-2234. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.10460
[5]	Khan, M.A., Hassan, M.M. and Drzal, L.T. (2005) Effect of 2-Hydrixyethyl Methacrylate (HEMA) on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Jute/Polycarbonate Composites. Composite A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 36, 71-81.
[6]	Bogoeva-Gaceva, G., Avella, M., Malinconico, M., Buzarovska, A., Grozdanov, A., Gentile, G. and Errico, M.E. (2007) Natural Fiber Eco-Composites. Polymer Composites, 28, 98-107. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pc.20270
[7]	Hye, M.A., Taher, M.A., Ali, M.Y., Ali, M.U. and Shahed, Z. (2009) Isolation of (+)-Catechin from Acacia catechu (Cutch Tree) by a Convenient Method. Journal of Scientific Research, 1, 300-305. http://banglajol.info/index.php/JSR/article/viewArticle/1635
[8]	Zhang, H., Zhang, Y., Guo, W. and Wu, C. (2008) Thermal Properties and Morphology of Recycled Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/Maleic Anhydride Grafted Linear Low-Density Polyethylene Blends. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 109, 3546-3553. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.28456
[9]	Kagan, V.A., Palley, I. and Jia, N. (2004) Plastics Part Design: Low Cycle Fatigue Strength of Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 23, 1607-1614. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0731684404039784
[10]	Rebeiz, K.S. and Fowler, D.W. (1994) Flexural Properties of Reinforced Polyester Concrete Made with Recycled PET. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 13, 895-907. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/073168449401301004
[11]	Hasan, M.M., Islam, M.R. and Khan, M.A. (2003) Improvement of Physico-Mechanical Properties of Jute Yarn by Photografting with 3-(Trimethoxysilyl) Propylmethacrylate. Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, 17, 737-750. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156856103321340840
[12]	Silverstein, R.M., Bassler, G.C. and Morrill, T.C. (1981) Spectrometric Identific Action of Organic Compounds. 4th Edition, John Wiley and Sons, New York.
[13]	Menczel, J.D., Judovits, L., Prime, R.B., Bair, H.E., Readin, M. and Swier, S. (2009) Differential Scanning Calorimetry(DSC). In: Menczel, J.D. and Prime, R.B., Eds., Thermal Analysis of Polymers. Fundamentals and Applications, Wiley, San Jose, 7-239.
[14]	Ball, R., Melntosh, A. and Brindley, J. (2004) Feedback Processes in Cellulose Thermal Decomposition: Implications for Fire-Retarding Strategies and Treatments. Combustion Theory and Modeling, 8, 281-291. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1364-7830/8/2/005
[15]	Connor, M., Bidaux, J.E. and Manson, J.A.E. (1997) A Criterion for Optimum Adhesion Applied to Fibre Reinforced Composites. Journal of Material Science, 32, 5059-5067.
[16]	Naznin, M., Abedin, M.Z., Khan, M.A. and Gafur, M.A. (2012) International Scholarly Research Network. ISRN Polymer Science, 2012, Article ID: 348685.
[17]	Gomez-Estuca, J., Gimenz, B., Mentro, P. and Gomez-Guillen, M.C. (2009) Incorporation of Antioxidant Borage Extract into Edible Films Based on Sole Skin Gelatin or a Commercial Fish Gelatin. Journal of Food Engineering, 92, 78-85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2008.10.024
[18]	Gomez-Guillein, M.C., Ihl, M., Bifani, V., Silva, A. and Montero, P. (2007) Edible Films Made from Tuna-Fish Gelatin with Antioxidant Extracts of Two Different Murta Ecotypes Leaves (Ugni molinae Turcz). Food Hydrocolloids, 21, 1133-1143. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2006.08.006
[19]	Smyth, C. (1956) Dielectric Behavior and Structure, McGraw Hill, Oxford, 53.
[20]	Wagner, K.W. (1913) Zur Theorie der Unvollkommenen Dielekrika. Annalen der Physik, 345, 817-855. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/andp.19133450502
[21]	Jayamoland, G., Bhagwan, S.S. and Thomas, S. (1997) Electrical Properties of Pineapple Fibre Reinforced Polyethylene Composites. Journal of Polymer Engineering, 17, 383-404.
[22]	Koops, C.G. (1951) On the Dispersion of Resistivity and Dielectric Constant of some Semiconductor at Audio Frequencies. Physical Review, 83, 121-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.83.121

For further details log on website :
http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?paperID=61208