UV/O3 treatment as a surface modification of rice husk towards preparation of novel biocomposites

• Published in: PloS one 2018-05, Vol.13 (5), p.e0197345-e0197345
• Main Authors: Rajendran Royan, Nishata Royan, Sulong, Abu Bakar, Yuhana, Nor Yuliana, Chen, Ruey Shan, Ab Ghani, Mohd Hafizuddin, Ahmad, Sahrim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acids - chemistry; Adhesion; Adhesive strength; Alkalies - chemistry; Applied physics; Biology and Life Sciences; Biomedical materials; Carbon; Cellulose; Commercialization; Compacting; Compression; Earth Sciences; Ecology and Environmental Sciences; Engineering; Engineering and Technology; Extrusion molding; Fibers; Fourier transforms; High density polyethylenes; Hydrophobicity; Incompatibility; Lignin; Materials Testing; Mechanical properties; Moisture absorption; Oryza; Ozone; Ozonolysis; Physical Sciences; Plant Components, Aerial - chemistry; Plastics; Polyethylene; Polyethylene - chemistry; Polymer blends; Polymer matrix composites; Polymers; Pressure molding; Research and Analysis Methods; Rice; Scanning electron microscopy; Studies; Tensile Strength; Ultraviolet radiation; Ultraviolet Rays; Waste treatment; Wettability; Wood
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197345

The use of rice husks (RH) to reinforce polymers in biocomposites are increasing tremendously. However, the incompatibility between the hydrophilic RH fibers and the hydrophobic thermoplastic matrices leads to unsatisfactory biocomposites. Surface modification of the fiber surface was carried out to improve the adhesion between fiber and matrix. In this study, the effect of surface modification of RH via alkali, acid and ultraviolet-ozonolysis (UV/O3) treatments on the properties of composites recycled high density polyethylene (rHDPE) composites was investigated. The untreated and treated RH were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The composites containing 30 wt% of RH (treated and untreated) were then prepared via extrusion and followed by compression molding. As compared to untreated RH, all surface treated RH exhibited rougher surface and showed improved adhesion with rHDPE matrix. Tensile strength of UV/O3-treated RH composites showed an optimum result at 18.37 MPa which improved about 5% in comparison to the composites filled with untreated RH. UV/O3 treatment promotes shorter processing time and lesser raw material waste during treatment process where this is beneficial for commercialization in the future developments of wood plastic composites (WPCs). Therefore, UV/O3 treatment can be served as an alternative new method to modify RH surface in order to improve the adhesion between hydrophilic RH fibre and hydrophobic rHDPE polymer matrix.