Mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties of kenaf filled linear low-density polyethylene/poly(vinyl alcohol) composites: Effect of chemical treatment

作者：Pang Ai Ling; Ismail Hanafi^*; Abu Bakar Azhar

来源：Journal of Vinyl & Additive Technology, 2018, 24: E164-E171.

DOI：10.1002/vnl.21622

The effect of hydrated chromium (III) sulfate ([Cr(H2O)(6)](2)(SO4)(3)6(H2O)) treated and untreated kenaf (KNF) on the processing torque, functional group, mechanical and morphological properties, water absorption, and thermal stability of KNF filled linear low-density polyethylene/poly(vinyl alcohol) (LLDPE/PVOH) composites were investigated systematically. It was found that the presence of hydrated chromium (III) sulfate increases the equilibrium torque of treated KNF-filled LLDPE/PVOH composites. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy analysis indicated that hydroxyl (-OH) and carbonyl (C=O) group could possibly be involved in the mechanism of adsorption of chromium (III) on KNF surface. The tensile strength and tensile modulus of the treated KNF-filled LLDPE/PVOH composites were found to have improved. The enhancement in the interfacial adhesion between treated KNF and LLDPE/PVOH is confirmed by the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) analysis. It was observed that with the presence of hydrated chromium (III) sulfate, the water absorption of KNF-filled LLDPE/PVOH composites was declined. Thermal analysis showed that the treated KNF-filled LLDPE/PVOH composites exhibited higher thermal stability; as observed from the higher initial and maximum degradation temperatures. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:E164-E171, 2018.

• 出版日期2018-5