Synthesis, characterization and properties of low density polyethylene filled with reduced graphite oxide
Graphite based materials have become promising candidates in polyolefin nanocomposites in widening the application such as a packaging material. However, the utilization of these combination exhibits a doubt on how was the effect once heat is applied onto the nanocomposites. Herein, a systematic...
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| Format: | Thesis |
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| Language: | English |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dspace.unimap.edu.my:80/xmlui/bitstream/123456789/76706/1/Page%201-24.pdf http://dspace.unimap.edu.my:80/xmlui/bitstream/123456789/76706/2/Full%20text.pdf http://dspace.unimap.edu.my:80/xmlui/bitstream/123456789/76706/3/Declaration%20Form.pdf |
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| Summary: | Graphite based materials have become promising candidates in polyolefin
nanocomposites in widening the application such as a packaging material. However, the
utilization of these combination exhibits a doubt on how was the effect once heat is
applied onto the nanocomposites. Herein, a systematic study has been carried out to
investigate the effect of reduced graphite oxide (rGO) towards low density polyethylene
(LDPE). A simple solvent casting method was carried out in fabricating low density
polyethylene / reduced graphite oxide (LDPE/rGO) nanocomposites with the filler
contents of 0.05 – 1 wt%. Without any modification between LDPE and rGO, several
characterizations have been implemented towards the nanocomposites. Optical
properties through UV-visible spectroscopy were effectively identifying the
transparency of the nanocomposites, where the transparency decreased with the
increased of rGO. The tensile test was also carried out in order to determine the tensile
properties of the fabricated film. Thin film with 0.3 wt% of rGO content has showed
highest tensile strength compared to the rest of the nanocomposites film. Gas barrier
together with the dielectrical properties of the nanocomposites were studied in depth.
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to observe the dispersion and
morphology of the rGO in LDPE. Further, thermal decomposition of the
nanocomposites was investigated through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Kinetic
studies on the degradation nanocomposites had concluded that Flynn-Wall-Ozawa
(FWO) model is one step higher compared to Kissinger (K) model. In order to identify
the elements that decomposed, gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectroscopy (MS)
coupled with TGA were used to separate the evolved compounds into alkane, alkene
and aromatic groups, respectively. Where, toxic gaseous will only being released out
when the nanocomposites was heated up to 460 °C. With the addition of rGO in the
LDPE matrix, the degradation behaviour of the nanocomposites was identifying
through UV radiation. There is only slight difference on the thin film’s properties after
360 hours of UV-B radiation. Based on the analysis, the studies clearly indicated that
the feasibility of incorporating rGO into the LDPE matrix had improved the optical,
mechanical, thermal and dielectric properties. This has widened the application of
LDPE/rGO nanocomposites in serving as a packaging material. |
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