Effect of silica nanopowder on the properties of wood flour/polymer composite

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (1:1:1:0.5) were solution blended by using a mixture of solvents consisting of xylene and tetrahydrofuran (THF) (70:30). SiO2 nanoparticles were modified by cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). Wood polymer composites (WPC) were prepared by using polymer mixture, polyethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate (PE-co-GMA), wood flour, and modified SiO2. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies showed that the intensity of the peaks of polymer mixture decreased due to incorporation of SiO2. The dispersion of SiO2 nanoparticles and morphological characteristics were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The interaction between SiO2 nanoparticles, PE-co-GMA, polymer mixture, and wood was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Tensile and flexural properties of the composites improved significantly due to the incorporation of SiO2 nanoparticles. Thermal stability, hardness, flame retardancy, and water resistance capacity were also found to enhance. Maximum improvement in properties was observed by the inclusion of 3 phr modified SiO2 in WPC. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. (C) 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers