Abstract:
ABSTRACT
The work outlines the preparation of synthesized copper nanoparticle impregnated
sawdust and wheat straw reinforced unsaturated polyester resin composites via
cationization process by (3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride. The
copper nanoparticles were synthesized at a favorable atmospheric condition in an aqueous
medium using copper chloride dihydrate precursor, sodium borohydride, polyvinyl
alcohol, and ascorbic acid. Transmission electron microscopy shows the spherical
morphology of copper nanoparticles with an average size of 15±1.1 nm. Moreover, these
sawdust and wheat straws were also treated with different percentages of alkali solutions.
The treated fibers were characterized by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, field
emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray study, X-ray diffraction
study, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The untreated
and treated sawdust and wheat straw were fabricated with unsaturated polyester resin by
hand mixing normal press technique. The composite behavior, mechanical property, and
biodegradability have been analyzed systematically by using commonly used techniques
such as FTIR, FESEM, TGA, DSC, XRD, universal tensile testing, etc. Copper
nanoparticles impregnated sawdust and wheat straw (15% fiber loading) show increases
in the tensile strength (~104% and ~93% respectively) and antifungal activity (~14% and
~11% respectively) concerning untreated composites. According to large surface area and
improved dispersion quality of nanoparticles form strong interactions and microscopic
inorganic networks in nanocomposites. Therefore, the results strongly recommend that
copper nanoparticles can be used as a suitable agent in sawdust and wheat straw to
increase their mechanical property and durability. The biodegradability of the developed
composites is inversely proportional to the CuNPs loading. The pattern of water uptake
follows the usual Fickian diffusion behavior. The properties of these developed
composites indicate indoor to outdoor applications
