Publication: Preparation, characterisation and properties of muscoviteacrylonitrile butadiene styrene nanocomposites
Date
2020-04-01
Authors
Ismail, Nor Hafizah Che
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Abstract
The development of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) nanocomposite
based on non-expandable clay minerals presents a promising approach that has been
relatively unexplored. Muscovite was chosen over the most commonly used clay
minerals, due to its higher aspect ratio when compared to montmorillonite (MMT). As
such, this study investigated the possibilities of muscovite to expand and to function
as reinforcement filler in ABS matrix via two-stage ion exchange process for fillermatrix
compatibilisation and melt compounding for polymer fabrication. The
modification process involved treatment with LiNO3 (first-stage) and modification
with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) at various concentrations as a secondstage
cation exchange reaction. Characterisation of treated muscovite was assessed by
using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared
(FTIR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Field emission scanning electron
microscopy (FESEM) coupled with Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The experimental outcomes showed that
not only basal spacing, but also specific surface area increased while the number of
stacked individual silicate layers of organoclay kept decreasing at high CTAB
concentrations, which signified separation within the muscovite layers. The changes
in basal spacing further evidenced that muscovite displayed a possibility for expansion.
A further goal of this research is to extend the application of organomuscovite (OM)
filled ABS matrix. In this case, OM and unmodified muscovite were embedded in ABS
matrix at various filler loading of 1, 3, and 5 wt.%. The aspects addressed included the
effect of ion-exchange process, the degree of dispersion that was achieved, and the
effect of various filler loading on the mechanical properties of ABS nanocomposites.
Along this line, this study reveals that the ABS/OM nanocomposites possessed a
tendency to exemplify enhanced mechanical properties, in comparison to those of
ABS/muscovite. Nevertheless, incorporation of muscovite at all filler loadings led to
a slight reduction in tensile strength, a significant decrease in elongation at break, a
slight improvement in modulus and hardness, and increment in thermal stability over
those of the neat ABS. Flexural strength and modulus were improved by 10% and
28%, respectively, when compared to those retrieved from neat ABS. Both wide angle
x-ray diffraction (WAXD) and TEM analyses indicated the formation of mixed
intercalated and exfoliated structures with incorporation of OM. Therefore, the
development of non-expandable muscovite incorporated with polymer matrices
provide the opportunities to explore new functionalities beyond those found in
conventional materials.