Novel LLDPE/Cellulose Microfiber/Nanoclay Nanocomposites Based on In Situ Nanoclay Fabrication Simultaneously with Wastewater Treatment

This article presents a unique approach for paper wastewater treatment simultaneously with in-situ intercalating clay and using the cellulose fiber/in situ intercalated nanoclay hybrid (CINH) as a nanofiller for wood-plastic nanocomposite. Effluent characteristics' before and after treatment were performed to evaluate the properties of the remain aqueous phase after filtration and results showed that the recycled water has standard characteristics for reuse or discharge to the environment. The prepared linear low-density polyethylene/CINH nanocomposites samples were performed with different test methods. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results demonstrated that cellulosic fibers' surfaces are covered by intercalated nanoclay with 48 A degrees interlayer spacing. The FESEM revealed that a perfect and robust interface is formed between CINH and polyethylene matrix for all samples. The results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed the crystallinity decreased with adding clay. The elastic modulus and tensile strength of nanocomposite samples were increased by 200% and 100%, respectively, compared with the neat polyethylene sample. Water Absorption (WA) results showed a downturn by increment of nanoclay. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

This article introduces a unique method using cellulose fiber/in situ intercalated nanoclay composite to treat paper wastewater, and evaluates the samples with different testing methods. The results show that the treated water is suitable for reuse or discharge into the environment.