Preparation and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol/ sepiolite biocomposite films
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Date
2019-07
Authors
Muhammad Haziq Bin Pisal
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Abstract
In this research, the effect of filler loading on the mechanical properties, water absorption and water vapour transmission, morphology and also degradation behaviour of the composite films was studied. For first series, sepiolite as reinforcement filler was incorporated to polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. These composite films were prepared by using solution casting method. Sepiolite loading was varied from 1g to 4g. For second series, silica was used to hybrid with PVA/sepiolite biocomposite films while for third series, eggshell powder was used to hybrid with PVA/sepiolite biocomposite films. The sample preparation was similar also by using solution casting method. The results showed tensile properties;tensile strength, elongation at break and Young modulus for sepiolite loading increased at low loading but decreased at higher loading. The water absorption and water vapour transmission also decreased and for degradation behaviour the sepiolite loading cause the weight loss decreased and reduction in tensile properties. Morphological analysis showed that before degradation at higher loading there were agglomeration occured and after degradation the surface showed cracks and holes formation. For second series, the mechanical properties reduced. For water absorption at low loading of silica it showed decreasing trend but when it came to high loading the water absorption suddenly increased. Water vapour transmission showed decreasing trend when silica loading increased and for degradation behaviour the weight loss increased and tensile properties of the films decreased. Morphological analysis showed at high loading silica, agglomeration occur before degradation and after degradation the surface got cracks and lumps thus proof the films degraded. Lastly for third series, the tensile strength and Young modulus showed reduction while for elongation at break increased as ESP loading increased. The water absorption and water vapour transmission decreased and for degradation study, the weight loss increased and mechanical properties decreased. Morphological analysis before degradation indicated that high amount of ESP loading lead to poor interaction between fillers and matrix. After degradation test, the SEM images showed that there was degradation occurred on the surface of the biocomposite films.