Mechanical and thermal properties of chitosan filled recycled polyethylene biocomposites

Abstract

The research was focused to investigate the utilization of chitosan biopolymer on properties of recycled polyethylene (RPE). The effect of chitosan loading of RPE biocomposites on mechanical properties, thermal properties, water absorption and morphology were studied. Chitosan was compounded with RPE using Z-blade mixer at processing temperature 180°C and rotor speed 50 rpm. The results show that the increasing chitosan loading increased the tensile strength, Young’s modulus and water absorption but decreased the elongation at break of RPE/chitosan biocomposites. The morphology study show the higher filler loading exhibit better dispersion of chitosan in matrix. The crystallinity of the biocomposites increased with increasing chitosan loading. The presence of α-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (Silane A-174) have increase the tensile strength, Young’s modulus, crystallinity and decreased the elongation at break and water absorption of RPE/chitosan biocomposites. The SEM micrograph show the better interfacial interaction between chitosan and RPE. The effect maleic anhydride-grafted-polyethylene (MAPE) as compatibilizer improved the tensile strength and Young’s modulus but elongation at break and water absorption decrease. The compatibilized biocomposites indicates higher crystallinity and enhanced the adhesion of filler and matrix. The biocomposites with MAPE and silane show higher tensile strength, Young’s modulus and crystallinity compared to the biocomposites without MAPE and silane, whereas lower elongation at break and water absorption. The improvement of tensile properties was supported by morphology studied. The addition of commercialized eco-degradant PD 04 as additive in RPE/chitosan biocomposites was increased the tensile strength, Young’s modulus and reduced the elongation at break.