| dc.description.abstract | Chitosan filled polypropylene (PP) composites had been prepared using Z-Blade Mixer
at temperature 190oC and rotor speed 50 rpm. The effect of chitosan loading and
different types of chemical modifications on mechanical properties, morphology and
thermal properties of PP/Chitosan composites were studied. The various types of
chemical modifications such as acrylic acid (AA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), acetic
acid (AAc), 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (3-APE) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)
were investigated. The organosolv lignin (OSL) was extracted from coconut shell
powder and used as partial treatment with AA and SDS. The results showed that the
addition of chitosan into PP matrix reduced the tensile strength, elongation at break,
degree of crystallinity (Xc) and activation energy (Ea), whereas the thermal stability and
Young’s modulus of composites increased. The chemical modification of chitosan
resulted positive effect on mechanical and thermal properties of PP/Chitosan
composites. The treated PP/Chitosan composites with AA, MMA, AAc, 3-APE, SDS
have higher tensile strength, Young’s modulus, thermal stability, Xc and Ea compared to
untreated PP/Chitosan composites. The better interfacial interaction between treated
chitosan and PP matrix was proven by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study.
The FTIR spectra of treated chitosan showed the new functional group from the
formation of chemical bonding between chitosan and chemical modifying agent. The
treated PP/Chitosan composites with AA and OSL had lower tensile strength and
elongation at break, but higher Young’s modulus, thermal stability, Xc and Ea than
treated PP/Chitosan composites with AA. The SEM micrographs of treated PP/Chitosan
composites with AA and OSL exhibited a rough surface. The effect of OSL to treated
PP/Chitosan composites with SDS increased the elongation at break, thermal stability,
crystallinity and activation energy, while the tensile strength and Young’s modulus
decreased compared to treated PP/Chitosan composites with SDS. The morphology of
treated PP/Chitosan composites with SDS and OSL showed the ductile behavior. | en_US |
