Variety Maize Cob Nanocellulose Reinforced High- and Low Density Polyethylene (HDPE & LDPE) Bio-Composites

Abstract

This research is to investigate the potential of waste agro -residue as reinforcement for polymers to produce composites as an alternative to synthetic fillers. Bio composites were produced using Sammaz-14 variety maize cobs Nano cellulose (MC-NC)/High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) / high-density polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride (HD-g-MAH) / organic montmorillonite (Org-MMT) and Sammaz-14 variety maize cobs Nano cellulose (MC-NC)/Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) / Low-density polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride (HD[1]g-MAH) / organic montmorillonite (Org-MMT). The nanocomposites were compounded with a two-roll mill and fabricated using the horizontal injection molding machine. The structural properties of the composites were investigated. The crystallinity, crystallographic phase and d-spacing as well as dimensional stability of the composites were examined by XRD Effects and impact of alkaline (5 % NaOH) treatment was observed. The effect of the addition of 1 & 5 % of MC-NC with 2 wt % of Org-MMT and 3% maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene and 1 &5 % Org-MMT in HDPE & LDPE were studied, From the results, 2% of Org-MMT was enough to improve the exfoliation and dispersion of the filler in the matrix and 3% incorporation of HD-g-MAH increased the adhesion and reduce the surface tension between the fiber and matrix. hence, creating excellent interfacial adhesion within the composite’s structures. Further investigation confirmed the presence of functional interactions among HDPE/LDPE, MC-NC, Org-MMT, and HD/LD-g-MAH, suggesting enhanced compatibility and dispersion