Mechanical Properties of Nano Date Palm versus Nano Titanium Dioxide Particles Reinforced Composites: Experimental Characterization

Abstract:

This research work is about characterization of the mechanical properties of two newly developed nanocomposite materials. The produced nanocomposites are made by mixing either Nano date palm particles (NDPP) or Nano Titanium Dioxide particles (NTiO₂P), as a reinforcement filler, with recycled polypropylene (rPP). Particularly, downsizing the date palm microfibers generated from waste to Nano-sized lignocellulose fillers has been accomplished by using a ball milling machine. The powdering process is conducted at a high speed of 12 cycles (2 cycles per hour). The manufacturing process involves making composite sheets using a twin-screw extruder in a hot melt state followed by compression molding. After that, test specimens are prepared following ASTM standards and then tested in a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) setup. Results revealed that the highest tensile strength of the reinforced polymer can be accomplished at 3% wt. NDPP and 6% wt. NTiO₂P. These filler loadings increased the tensile strength by 48% and 63% over the neat rPP, respectively. Moreover, the flexural strength of NDPP-based nanocomposite increased by 30% at 3% wt. while the strength of NTiO₂P-based composite was improved by 33% at 6% wt. over the neat polymer. Due to the soft nanofillers, both nanoparticles exhibited a slight decrease in Young’s modulus; 10.7% and 7.8% at 3% wt. NDPP and 6% wt. NTiO₂P, respectively. Similarly, the increase in elongation at break and flexural modulus for both nanocomposites contribute to improving the ductility of the neat polymer. The results from the morphological analysis using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) revealed that NTiO₂P with 6% wt. has better interlocking with the polymeric matrix and better filler distribution over 3% wt. NDPP. Results showed that the viscosity of NDPP-based nanocomposites exceeded that of NTiO₂P-based nanocomposites while the density of NDPP was less. This study indicates that nanocomposites produced from NDPP are economically feasible as natural fiber and ecologically friendly materials with a great potential for use in a variety of industrial applications.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 1126)
• Pages: 61-75
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-7WGruG
• Online since: September 2024
• Authors: Mahmoud Alsafy, Nasr Al-Hinai, Khalid Alzebdeh*
• Keywords: Bio-Composites, Mechanical Properties, Nano Date Palm, Nano Titanium, Nanocomposites, Natural Fiber, Recycled Polypropylene

References

[1] M.M.A. Nassar, K.I. Alzebdeh, N. Al-Hinai, and M. Al Safy, "Enhancing mechanical performance of polypropylene bio-based composites using chemically treated date palm filler," Ind. Crops Prod., vol. 220, p.119237, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop. 2024.119237.

DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.119237

[2] O.Y. Alothman, H.M. Shaikh, B. A. Alshammari, and M. Jawaid, "Structural, Morphological and Thermal Properties of Nano Filler Produced from Date Palm-Based Micro Fibers (Phoenix dactylifera L.)," J. Polym. Environ., 2021.

DOI: 10.1007/s10924-021-02224-0

[3] T. Gurunathan, S. Mohanty, and S. K. Nayak, "A review of the recent developments in biocomposites based on natural fibres and their application perspectives," Compos. Part A Appl. Sci. Manuf., vol. 77, p.1–25, 2015.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.06.007

[4] K.I. Alzebdeh and M.M.A. Nassar, "An integrated approach to evaluate mechanical performance of date palm filler reinforced polypropylene," Mater. Today Commun., vol. 35, p.105583, 2023.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2023.105583

[5] A.N. Anyakora, "Investigation of Impact Strength Properties of Oil and Date Palm Frond Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composites," Int. J. Curr. Eng. Technol., vol. 3, no. 2, p.493–497, 2013.

[6] K.I. Alzebdeh, M. M. A. Nassar, S. A. Awad, and E.-S. I. El-Shafey, "New click chemistry scheme towards improvement of filler/polymer crosslinking in bio-based polymer composites," Polym. Technol. Mater., p.1–14, 2024.

DOI: 10.1080/25740881.2024.2376206

[7] L. A. Elseify, M. Midani, L. A. Shihata, and H. El-Mously, "Review on cellulosic fibers extracted from date palms (Phoenix Dactylifera L.) and their applications," Cellulose, vol. 26, no. 4, p.2209–2232, 2019.

DOI: 10.1007/s10570-019-02259-6

[8] M.M.A. Nassar, K.I. Alzebdeh, T. Pervez, N. Al-Hinai, and A. Munam, "Progress and challenges in sustainability, compatibility, and production of eco-composites: A state-of-art review," in Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2021, vol. 138, no. 43, p.1–31.

DOI: 10.1002/app.51284

[9] K. Almi, S. Lakel, a. Benchabane, and a. Kriker, "Characterization of Date Palm Wood Used as Composites Reinforcement," Acta Phys. Pol. A, vol. 127, no. 4, p.1072–1074, 2015.

DOI: 10.12693/APhysPolA.127.1072

[10] S. Amroune et al., "Tensile Mechanical Properties and Surface Chemical Sensitivity of Technical Fibers From Date Palm Fruit Branches (Phoenix Dactylifera L.)," Compos. Part A Appl. Sci. Manuf., vol. 71, p.98–106, 2015.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2014.12.011

[11] M.M.A. Nassar, K. I. Alzebdeh, M. M. M. Alsafy, and S. Piya, "Optimizing drilling parameters for minimizing delamination in polypropylene-date palm fiber bio-composite materials," J. Brazilian Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng., vol. 45, no. 11, 2023.

DOI: 10.1007/s40430-023-04528-9

[12] N.F. Nabila Farhana binti Abdul Khalil, "Mechanical Properties of Low-Density Polyethylene/Recycled Poly (ethylene Terephthalate)(LDPE/r-PET) Microfibrillar Composite," 2011.

[13] H.P.S.A. Khalil, M.A. Tehrani, Y. Davoudpour, A. H. Bhat, M. Jawaid, and A. Hassan, "Natural fiber reinforced poly (vinyl chloride) composites: A review," J. Reinf. Plast. Compos., vol. 32, no. 5, p.330–356, 2013.

DOI: 10.1177/0731684412458553

[14] Z. Chen, H.Y. Xie, Y.J. Li, G.E. Chen, S.J. Xu, and Z.L. Xu, "Smart light responsive polypropylene membrane switching reversibly between hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity for oily water separation," J. Memb. Sci., vol. 638, no. June, p.119704, 2021.

DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2021.119704

[15] G. K. Sathishkumar et al., "Synthesis and Mechanical Properties of Natural Fiber Reinforced Epoxy/Polyester/Polypropylene Composites: A Review," J. Nat. Fibers, vol. 19, no. 10, p.3718–3741, 2022.

DOI: 10.1080/15440478.2020.1848723

[16] B. A. Salazar-Cruz, M. Y. Chávez-Cinco, A. B. Morales-Cepeda, C. E. Ramos-Galván, and J. L. Rivera-Armenta, "Evaluation of Thermal Properties of Composites Prepared from Pistachio Shell Particles Treated Chemically and Polypropylene," Molecules, vol. 27, no. 2, 2022.

DOI: 10.3390/molecules27020426

[17] J. Ahmad and Z. Zhou, "Mechanical properties of natural as well as synthetic fiber reinforced concrete: a review," Constr. Build. Mater., vol. 333, p.127353, 2022.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.127353

[18] W. Tang et al., "Rheological behavior and mechanical properties of ultra-high-filled wood fiber/polypropylene composites using waste wood sawdust and recycled polypropylene as raw materials," Constr. Build. Mater., vol. 351, no. June, p.128977, 2022.

DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.128977

[19] B.O. Orji and A.G. McDonald, "Evaluation of the mechanical, thermal and rheological properties of recycled polyolefins rice-hull composites," Materials (Basel)., vol. 13, no. 3, 2020.

DOI: 10.3390/ma13030667

[20] C. Wang, J. Mei, and L. Zhang, "High-added-value biomass-derived composites by chemically coupling post-consumer plastics with agricultural and forestry wastes," J. Clean. Prod., vol. 284, p.124768, 2021.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124768

[21] K. I. Alzebdeh, M. M. A. Nassar, and N. Al-Hinai, "Development of New Eco-Composites From Natural Agro-Residues and Recycled Polymers," ASME 2020 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. Nov. 16, 2020.

DOI: 10.1115/IMECE2020-23536

[22] I. O. Oladele, A. A. Adediran, A. D. Akinwekomi, M. H. Adegun, O. O. Olumakinde, and O. O. Daramola, "Development of Ecofriendly Snail Shell Particulate-Reinforced Recycled Waste Plastic Composites for Automobile Application," Sci. World J., vol. 2020, 2020.

DOI: 10.1155/2020/7462758

[23] S. Nikmatin, A. Syafiuddin, A. B. Hong Kueh, and A. Maddu, "Physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of polypropylene composites filled with rattan nanoparticles," J. Appl. Res. Technol., vol. 15, no. 4, p.386–395, 2017.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jart.2017.03.008

[24] O.Y. Alothman, L.K. Kian, N. Saba, M. Jawaid, and R. Khiari, "Cellulose nanocrystal extracted from date palm fibre: Morphological, structural and thermal properties," Ind. Crops Prod., vol. 159, no. June 2020, p.113075, 2021.

DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.113075

[25] M.M.M. Alsafy, N. Al-Hinai, K.I. Alzebdeh, E.-S. I. El-Shafey, and M. M. A. Nassar, "Characterization of Extracted Bio-Nano Particles from Date Palm Agro-Residues," J. Mater. Res. Technol., 2024.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2024.04.222

[26] E. S. Nascimento et al., "All-cellulose nanocomposite films based on bacterial cellulose nanofibrils and nanocrystals," Food Packag. Shelf Life, vol. 29, p.100715, 2021.

DOI: 10.1016/j.fpsl.2021.100715

[27] S.M. Mousavi, O. Arjmand, M. R. Talaghat, M. Azizi, and H. Shooli, "Modifying the properties of polypropylene-wood composite by natural polymers and eggshell nano-particles," Polym. from Renew. Resour., vol. 6, no. 4, p.157–174, 2015.

DOI: 10.1177/204124791500600403

[28] S.A. Bello et al., "Eggshell nanoparticle reinforced recycled low-density polyethylene: A new material for automobile application," J. King Saud Univ. - Eng. Sci., no. xxxx, 2021.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jksues.2021.04.008

[29] K. Zdiri, A. Elamri, M. Hamdaoui, O. Harzallah, N. Khenoussi, and J. Brendlé, "Elaboration and Characterization of Recycled PP/Clay Nanocomposites," vol. 2508, no. 8, p.2370–2378, 2018.

DOI: 10.1080/17518253.2018.1491645

[30] M. Salavati and A. A. Yousefi, "Polypropylene–clay micro/nanocomposites as fused deposition modeling filament: effect of polypropylene-g-maleic anhydride and organo-nanoclay as chemical and physical compatibilizers," Iran. Polym. J. (English Ed., vol. 28, no. 7, p.611–620, 2019.

DOI: 10.1007/s13726-019-00728-0

[31] K. P. Srinivasa Perumal, R. Boopathi, P. Saravanan, and L. Selvarajan, "Effect of zircon and anatase titanium dioxide nanoparticles on glass fibre reinforced epoxy with mechanical and morphological studies," Ceram. Int., vol. 49, no. 13, p.21667–21677, 2023.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2023.03.304

[32] M. D. Kiran, H. K. Govindaraju, and T. Jayaraju, "Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Polymer Composites with Alumina, Titanium dioxide and Silicon Carbide," Mater. Today Proc., vol. 5, no. 10, p.22355–22361, 2018.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2018.06.602

[33] R. K. Nayak, K. K. Mahato, and B. C. Ray, "Water absorption behavior, mechanical and thermal properties of nano TiO2 enhanced glass fiber reinforced polymer composites," Compos. Part A Appl. Sci. Manuf., vol. 90, p.736–747, 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.compositesa. 2016.09.003.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2016.09.003

[34] M. Alsafy, N. Al-Hinai, and K. Alzebdeh, "Production of Date Palm Nanoparticle Reinforced Composites and Characterization of Their Mechanical Properties," ASME Int. Mech. Eng. Congr. Expo. Proc., vol. 3, p.2–9, 2022.

DOI: 10.1115/IMECE2022-95413

[35] A. Hachaichi, B. Kouini, L. K. Kian, M. Asim, and M. Jawaid, "Extraction and Characterization of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Date Palm Fibers using Successive Chemical Treatments," J. Polym. Environ., vol. 29, no. 6, p.1990–1999, 2021.

DOI: 10.1007/s10924-020-02012-2

[36] M. D. Alotabi et al., "Microcrystalline Cellulose from Fruit Bunch Stalk of Date Palm: Isolation and Characterization," J. Polym. Environ., vol. 28, no. 6, p.1766–1775, 2020, doi: 10.1007/ s10924-020-01725-8.

DOI: 10.1007/s10924-020-01725-8

[37] C. Shang, T. Liu, F. Zhang, and F. Chen, "Effect of network size on mechanical properties and wear resistance of titanium/nanodiamonds nanocomposites with network architecture," Compos. Commun., vol. 19, no. September 2019, p.74–81, 2020.

DOI: 10.1016/j.coco.2020.03.002

[38] V. G. Parale et al., "Hydrophobic TiO2–SiO2 composite aerogels synthesized via in situ epoxy-ring opening polymerization and sol-gel process for enhanced degradation activity," Ceram. Int., vol. 46, no. 4, p.4939–4946, 2020.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2019.10.231

[39] M. Karimi Sahnesarayi, H. Sarpoolaky, and S. Rastegari, "Effect of heat treatment temperature on the performance of nano-TiO2 coating in protecting 316L stainless steel against corrosion under UV illumination and dark conditions," Surf. Coatings Technol., vol. 258, p.861–870, 2014.

DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2014.07.071

[40] A. Zahrouni, A. Bendaoued, and R. Salhi, "Effect of sol-gel derived TiO2 nanopowders on the mechanical and structural properties of a polymer matrix nanocomposites developed by vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM)," Ceram. Int., vol. 47, no. 7, p.9755–9762, 2021.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2020.12.115

[41] S. Haq and R. Srivastava, "Wood Polypropylene (PP) Composites Manufactured by Mango Wood Waste with Virgin or Recycled PP: Mechanical, Morphology, Melt Flow Index and Crystalline Behaviour," J. Polym. Environ., vol. 25, no. 3, p.640–648, 2017, doi:10.1007/ s10924-016-0845-9.

DOI: 10.1007/s10924-016-0845-9

[42] V.A. Escócio, E.B.A.V. Pacheco, A.L.N. Da Silva, A.D.P. Cavalcante, and L.L.Y. Visconte, "Rheological Behavior of Renewable Polyethylene (HDPE) Composites and Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica) Residue," Int. J. Polym. Sci., vol. 2015, 2015, doi: 10.1155/2015/ 714352.

DOI: 10.1155/2015/714352

[43] P. Beesetty, A. kale, B. Patil, and M. Doddamani, "Mechanical behavior of additively manufactured nanoclay/HDPE nanocomposites," Compos. Struct., vol. 247, no. April, p.112442, 2020.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112442

[44] B.A. Alshammari et al., "Impact of Hybrid Fillers on the Properties of High Density Polyethylene Based Composites," Polymers (Basel)., vol. 14, no. 16, p.1–15, 2022.

DOI: 10.3390/polym14163427