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Title: Topological and thermal properties of polypropylene composites based on oil palm biomass

Journal Article · · AIP Conference Proceedings
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4898541· OSTI ID:22308086

Roughness on pristine and polymer composite surfaces is of enormous practical importance for polymer applications. This study deals with the use of varying quantity of oil palm ash as a nanofiller in a polypropylene based matrix. The oil palm ash sample was preprocessed to break the particles into small diameter by using ultra sonication before using microfluidizer for further deduction in size and homogenization. The oil palm ash was made to undergo many passes through the microfluidizer for fine distribution of particles. Polypropylene based composites containing different loading percentage oil palm ash was granulated by twin screw extruder and then injection molded. The surface morphology of the OPA passed through microfluidizer was analyzed by Tapping Mode - Atomic Force Microscopy (TMAFM). Thermal analysis results showed an increase in the activation energy values. The thermal stability of the composite samples showed improvement as compared to the virgin polymer as corroborated by the on-set degradation temperatures and the temperatures at which 50% degradation occurred.

OSTI ID:
22308086
Journal Information:
AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1621, Issue 1; Conference: ICSAS 2014: 3. international conference on fundamental and applied sciences: Innovative research in applied sciences for a sustainable future, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), 3-5 Jun 2014; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English