Nanoclay Dispersed Furfuryl Alcohol-co-Ethyl Methacrylate Wood Polymer Nanocomposites: The Enhancement on Physico-mechanical and Thermal Properties

Abstract

In this study, physical, morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of furfuryl alcohol/glycidyl methacrylate/halloysite nanoclay wood polymer nanocomposites (FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNCs) were investigated. FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNCs were prepared via impregnation method, and the effect of different ratio between the polymers was subsequently investigated. The properties of nanocomposites were characterized by weight percent gain, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), three-point flexural test, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, and moisture absorption test. The weight percent gain in 50:50 FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNCs was the highest compared to raw wood (RW) and other WPNCs. FT-IR results confirmed the polymerization took place in the nanocomposites especially 50:50 FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNCs with reducing hydroxyl groups. SEM result revealed that the 50:50 FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNCs among all the nanocomposites. Through the three-point flexural test, 50:50 FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNCs showed the highest flexural strength and modulus of elasticity. The results revealed that the storage modulus and loss modulus of FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNCs were higher while the tan δ of FA-co-EHMA-HNC WNPCs was lower compared to RW. FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNCs exhibited the higher thermal stability through TGA and DSC analysis. 50:50 FA-co-EHMA-HNC WPNCs exhibited significantly lower moisture absorption compared to RW. Overall, this study proved that the ratio 50:50 FA-co-EHMA was the most suitable to be introduced in the RW.