Sains Malaysiana 42(4)(2013): 503–507

Properties Enhancement of TPNR-MWNTs-OMMT Hybrid Nanocomposites

by Using Ultrasonic Treatment

(Peningkatan Sifat Nanokomposit Hibrid TPNR-MWNTs-OMMT Menggunakan Kaedah Ultrasonik)

Mou‘ad A.Tarawneh *, Sahrim Hj. Ahmad, K.A. Ku Zarina, Yu Lih Jiun & Moayad Husein Flaifel

School of Applied Physics

Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor D.E.

Malaysia

Ibrahim N. Hassan

Fuel Cell Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor D.E. Malaysia

A.R. Shamsul Bahri

Rubber Research Institute Malaysia, Malaysian Rubber Board, 50908 Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

Received: 21 June 2011 / Accepted: 19 May 2012

ABSTRACT

The main goal of this paper was to study the effect of ultrasonic treatment time on the mechanical properties of thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) reinforced with hybrid MWNTs-OMMT. The intercalation of TPNR enhancement into layers of clay by increasing the d-spacing was found using X-ray diffraction. The tensile properties of nanocomposites treated with ultrasonic increased when compared with untreated nanocomposites. The optimum ultrasonic treatment time was obtained at 3 h. The transmission electron microscope micrograph showed a combination of intercalated-exfoliated structure of the TPNR composites with organic clay and dispersion of MWNTs. The ultrasonic treatment can promote the dispersion of MWNTs-OMMT in TPNR and also improved the compatibility of hybrid filler and the TPNR matrix.

Keywords: Carbon nanotubes; hybrid nanocomposites; mechanical properties; polymer nanocomposites; thermoplastic natural rubber

ABSTRAK

Matlamat utama kertas ini adalah untuk mengkaji kesan masa rawatan ultrasonik ke atas sifat mekanik termoplastik getah asli (TPNR) diperkukuh dengan hibrid MWNTs-OMMT. Melalui pembelauan sinar-X, terdapat penambahan dalam jarak antara lapisan di dalam nanozarah tanah liat menunjukkan kehadiran struktur saling selit di dalam TPNR sifat tegangan dan hentaman nanokomposit dengan rawatan ultrasonik menunjukkan peningkatan berbanding nanokomposit tidak terawat. Masa rawatan ultrasonik selama tiga jam merupakan tempoh optimum dalam kajian ini. Mikrograf mikroskop elektron penghantaran menunjukkan terdapat kombinasi struktur terkupas dan saling selit di dalam komposit TPNR dengan penyerakan nanozarah tanah liat organik dan MWNT. Rawatan ultrasonik dapat membantu penyerakan MWNT-OMMT di dalam TPNR dan juga memperbaiki keserasian antara hibrid pengisi dan matriks TPNR.

Kata kunci: Hibrid nanokomposit; karbon nanotiub; polimer nanokomposit; sifat mekanik; termoplastik getah asli

REFERENCES

Ahmad, S.H., Rasid, R., Surip, S.N., Anuar, H., Czigany, T. & Abdul Razak, S.B. 2007. Mechanical and fracture toughness behavior of TPNR nanocomposites. Journal of Composites Materials 41: 2147-2159.

Avella, M., Cosco, S., Di Lorenzo, M.L., Di Pace, E., Errico, M.E. & Gentile, G. 2006. Nucleation activity of nanosized CaCO3 on crystallization of isotactic polypropylene, in dependence on crystal modification, particle shape, and coating. European Polymer Journal 42: 1548-1557.

Haggenmueller, R., Du, F., Fischer, J.E. & Winey, K.I. 2006. Interfacial in situ polymerization of single wall carbon nanotube/nylon 6,6 nanocomposites. Polymer 47: 2381-2388.

Jing, Li., Pui-Shan, Wong. & Jang-Kyo, K. 2008. Hybrid nanocomposites containing carbon nanotubes and graphite nanoplatelets. Materials Science and Engineering A 483-484: 660-663.

Kim, G.M., Lee, D.H., Hoffmann, B., Kressler, J. & Stoppelmann, G. 2001. Influence of nanofillers on the deformation process in layered silicate/polyamide-12 nanocomposites. Polymer 42: 1095-1100.

Leong, Y.W., Abu, B., Mohd, I.M. & Ariffin, Z.A. 2004. Characterization of talc/calcium carbonate filled polypropylene hybrid composites weathered in a natural environment. Polymer Degradation and Stability 83: 411-422.

Liu, X. & Wu, Q. 2001. PP/clay nanocomposites prepared by grafting-melt intercalation. Polymer 42: 10013-10019.

Li-Yu, Lin., Joong-Hee, Lee., Chang-Eui, Hong., Gye-Hyoung, Yoo. & Suresh, G. Advani. 2006. Preparation and characterization of layered silicate/glass fiber/epoxy hybrid nanocomposites via vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). Composites Science and Technology 66: 2116-2125.

Mishra, S., Mohanty, A.K., Drzal, L.T., Misra, M, Parija, S., Nayak, S.K. & Tripathy, S.S. 2003. Studies on mechanical performance of biofibre/glass reinforced polyester hybrid composites. Compos. Sci. & Technol. 63: 1377-1385.

Mou’ad A., Tarawneh., Sahrim, Hj. Ahmad., Rozaidi, R., Yahya, S.Y. & Seyong, Eh Noum. 2011. The enhancement of properties of TPNR/clay nanocomposites using ultrasonic treatment. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites 30(6): 524-532.

Robert, S., Beate, K., Sylvia, H., Roland, W. & Petra, Pötschke. 2011. Electrical and thermal properties of polyamide 12 composites with hybrid fillers systems of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and carbon black. Composites Science and Technology 71: 1053-1059.

*Corresponding author; email: moaath20042002@yahoo.com