Improved thermal properties of jute fiber-reinforced polyethylene nanocomposites

The thermal behavior of chemically modified jute fiber-reinforced polyethylene (PE) nanocomposites was investigated. Nanocomposites were prepared by hot press molding technique using different fiber loadings (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) for both treated and untreated fibers. Jute fibers were chemically modified with benzene diazonium salt to increase their compatibility with the PE matrix. Surface and thermal properties were subsequently characterized. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis were used to study the surface morphology. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry were carried out for thermal characterization. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy study showed interfacial interaction among jute fiber, PE, and nanoclay. It was observed that, at optimum fiber content (15 wt%), treated jute fiber-reinforced composites showed better thermal properties compared with that of untreated ones and also that nanoclay-incorporated composites showed enhanced higher thermal properties compared with those without nanoclay. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1266–1272, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineer

Synthesis of Cotton from Tossa Jute Fiber and Comparison with Original Cotton

Cotton fibers were synthesized from tossa jute and characteristics were compared with original cotton by using FTIR and TGA. The FTIR results indicated that the peak intensity of OH group from jute cotton fibers occurred at 3336 cm−1 whereas the peak intensity of original cotton fibers occurred at 3338 cm−1. This indicated that the synthesized cotton fiber properties were very similar to the original cotton fibers. The TGA result showed that maximum rate of mass loss, the onset of decomposition, end of decomposition, and activation energy of synthesized cotton were higher than original cotton. The activation energy of jute cotton fibers was higher than the original cotton fibers

Effect of silicon dioxide/nanoclay on the properties of jute fiber/polyethylene biocomposites

In this study, (jute fiber)/polyethylene biocomposites were prepared by using a hot press machine. Jute fiber was investigated as a reinforcing filler material for producing structural composites with better environmental performance. The effects of clay and silica addition on the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of (jute fiber)-reinforced polyethylene biocomposites with different fiber loadings (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) were investigated. The biocomposites were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The composite surface area and pore volume were determined by using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller equation. The mechanical properties were investigated by using a Universal Testing Machine. Because of Si-O-Si stretching vibration, the O-H group from 3,200 to 3,400 cm−1 disappeared. The scanning electron microscopy results proved that a significant difference among the composites was present due to the interfacial bonding between the fiber and the matrix

The effects of nanoclay and tin(IV) oxide nanopowder on morphological, thermo-mechanical properties of hexamethylene diisocyanate treated jute/bamboo/polyethylene hybrid composites

Hybrid composites were fabricated by hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) treated jute–bamboo fiber, nanoclay, tin(IV) oxide nanopowder, and low-density polyethylene. The composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Surface morphology, tensile testing, and water absorption test were also reported. FTIR results revealed that treated fiber had covalence bonding with polymer matrix which enhanced mechanical properties. All HDI-treated hybrid composites showed significant improvement in activation energy, lower crystallinity index, significant high tensile strength, and Young's modulus compared to untreated hybrid composites. All treated hybrid composites also showed extreme low water absorption. The addition of nanoclay or tin(IV) oxide into treated hybrid composites had a negative impact on thermal-mechanical properties. Surface morphological results revealed the bonding condition among hybrid composites

Effect of nanoclay and silica on mechanical and morphological properties of jute cellulose polyethylene biocomposites

In this study, jute cellulose/polyethylene (PE) biocomposites were prepared using a hot press machine. Silica and nanoclay act as reinforcing agents in the composite system. The effects of clay and silica addition on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of jute cellulose/PE biocomposites with different fiber loadings (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt %) were investigated. The biocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The mechanical properties were investigated using a universal testing machine. From FTIR results, it indicates that the CO stretching vibration had disappeared, while the intensity of peaks at 1718 and 1716 cm−1 appeared after addition of silica. The better interfacial bonding between jute cellulose/PE/silica biocomposites are reflected in the enhancement of the mechanical properties as well as thermal stability. The tensile strength and modulus had shown the highest values as well as higher activation energy for thermal decomposition. The surface area analysis result showed that the jute cellulose/PE/silica biocomposites have higher surface area and pore volume with less pore size. The manufactured biocomposites can be used in interior and exterior applications as well as a construction material

Synthesis of Cotton from Tossa Jute Fiber and Comparison with Original Cotton

Cotton fibers were synthesized fromtossa jute and characteristics were compared with original cotton by using FTIR and TGA. The FTIR results indicated that the peak intensity of OH group from jute cotton fibers occurred at 3336 cm−1 whereas the peak intensity of original cotton fibers occurred at 3338 cm−1.This indicated that the synthesized cotton fiber properties were very similar to the original cotton fibers. The TGA result showed that maximum rate of mass loss, the onset of decomposition, end of decomposition, and activation energy of synthesized cotton were higher than original cotton. The activation energy of jute cotton fibers was higher than the original cotton fibers

Effect of Fiber Treatment and Nanoclay on the Tensile Properties of Jute Fiber Reinforced Polyethylene/Clay Nanocomposites

The tensile properties of chemically treated jute fiber reinforced polyethylene/clay nanocomposites were investigated. Nanocomposites were prepared using hot press moulding technique by varying jute fiber loading (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%) for both treated and untreated fibers. Raw jute fibers were chemically treated with benzene diazonium salt to increase their compatibility with the polyethylene matrix. Physical and mechanical properties were subsequently characterized. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was utilized to study physical properties. Tensile test was conducted for mechanical characterization. FTIR and SEM study showed interfacial interaction among jute fiber, polyethylene and nanoclay. It was observed that at optimum fiber content (15 wt%), treated composites exhibited improvements in tensile strength and modulus by approximately 20 % and 37 % respectively over the raw ones. On the other hand, this composite exhibited improvements in tensile strength and modulus by approximately 8 % and 15 % respectively over the composites without nanoclay. However, treated jute fiber reinforced composites showed better tensile properties compared with untreated ones and also nanoclay incorporated composites enhanced higher tensile properties compared without nanoclay ones

Synthesis and Characterization of Cellulose from Green Bamboo by Chemical Treatment with Mechanical Process

Bamboo cellulose was prepared by chemical process involving dewaxing, delignification, and mercerization process. Four samples namely, green bamboo fiber (GBF), dewaxed bamboo fiber (DBF), delignified bamboo fiber (DLBF), and cellulose fiber (CF) had been analysed. FTIR and TGA analysis confirmed the removal of hemicellulose and lignin at the end stage of the process. FTIR results reveal that the D-cellulose OH group occurred at 1639 cm−1 region. SEM micrograph showed that mercerization leads to fibrillation and breakage of the fiber into smaller pieces which promote the effective surface area available for contact. Barrer, Joiyner, and Halenda (BJH) method confirmed that the effective surface area of CF is two times larger compared to GBF. CF showed the highest activation energy compared to GBF. It indicates that CF was thermally stable

Thermomechanical performance and high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of poly(vinyl alcohol)/silica/clay and poly(vinyl alcohol)/(fumed silica)/clay nanocomposites

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/silica/clay (PVA-si-clay) and poly(vinyl alcohol)/(fumed silica)/clay (PVA-fsi-clay) nanocomposites were prepared via solution intercalation by exploiting phase separation based on the bridging of particles by polymer chains. Both nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, adsorption isotherm (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller model [BET]), X-ray fluorescence, thermogravimetric analysis, and tensile testing. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that the PVA-si-clay (1.28E) nanocomposite had a much broader peak compared with other nanocomposites. The PVA-si-clay (1.28E) nanocomposite contained the highest percentage of silicon group compared with other nanocomposites. According to the results of the scanning electron microscopy, clay (1.28E) showed better compatibility with the PVA-si matrix followed by clay (1.30E) with PVA-fsi matrix. The results of the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller model showed PVA-si-clay (1.28E) and PVA-fsi-clay (1.30E) nanocomposites had a higher surface area and average pore volume with a smaller pore size. The hydroxyl-functionalized PVA compatibilizer enhanced the mechanical properties as well as the thermal properties because of a higher level of interaction between the hydroxyl groups of PVA, the silanol groups of silica phase, and the modified clay

Synthesis and Characterization of Cellulose from Green Bamboo by Chemical Treatment with Mechanical Process

Bamboo cellulose was prepared by chemical process involving dewaxing, delignification, and mercerization process. Four samples namely, green bamboo fiber (GBF), dewaxed bamboo fiber (DBF), delignified bamboo fiber (DLBF), and cellulose fiber (CF) had been analysed. FTIR and TGA analysis confirmed the removal of hemicellulose and lignin at the end stage of the process. FTIR results reveal that the D-cellulose OH group occurred at 1639 cm−1 region. SEM micrograph showed that mercerization leads to fibrillation and breakage of the fiber into smaller pieces which promote the effective surface area available for contact. Barrer, Joiyner, and Halenda (BJH) method confirmed that the effective surface area of CF is two times larger compared to GBF. CF showed the highest activation energy compared to GBF. It indicates that CF was thermally stable