Fabrication and characterization of natural fiber reinforced thermoplastic nano-composites

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