Abstract
In this experiment, the oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via chemical precipitation and the nanocomposites were produced using in situ polymerization method with varying nanoparticles contents ranged from 0 to 5 g. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were investigated and compared with the values obtained for untreated polystyrene. It was observed that the mechanical properties were higher for the nanocomposites and increase with increasing nanoparticle concentrations in the samples. It can be observed that the untreated polystyrene gave a tensile strength of 945.25 N/mm2. At high nanoparticle content of 5 g, the nanocomposite containing NiO nanoparticles showed a tensile strength of 973.83 N/mm2 while nanocomposite containing BaO nanoparticles gave a tensile strength of 968.19 N/mm2 and nanocomposite containing Sb2O3 nanoparticle gave a tensile strength of 955.53 N/mm2. The results indicate that the tensile strength and percentage elongation of all the nanocomposites improved with the addition of metal oxides nanoparticles compared with the untreated polystyrene. Slight decrease in percentage reduction in area of the nanocomposites was recorded. Conclusively, with these results, the PS/NiO nano composite showed a better trend of behaviour due to better interfacial interaction between the nanofillers and the polymer matrix followed by PS/BaO and PS/Sb2O3 nanocomposites. It is recommended that during the production of polymer nanocomposite, PS/NiO, PS/BaO and PS/Sb2O3 nanocomposites could be used as reinforcements in the construction of buildings to add structural stability to the building.
Highlights
Polystyrene is one of the most widely used plastics, the scale of its production being several million tonnes per year (Maul et al, 2007)
Polystyrene/clay nanocomposites which have intercalated structures display a decrease in the tensile strength, which could be due to the formation of voids in the structure (Cole, 2014)
It can be observed that the untreated polystyrene gave a tensile strength of 945.25 N/mm2
Summary
Polystyrene is one of the most widely used plastics, the scale of its production being several million tonnes per year (Maul et al, 2007). According to Cole (2014) introduction of 5 wt% ZnO nanoparticles into polystyrene decreased both the tensile strength and elongation at break. This implies that the interfacial adhesion is not strong. This research work desires to provide information on transforming polystyrene wastes to nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties. Transforming polystyrene wastes to useful materials will reduce the effects of environmental pollutants on animals, plants and humans. The negligence of transforming polystyrene wastes to useful materials has attracted a lot of attention in the field of research whereas, the recycling of polymers to nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties have not been adequately and sufficiently studied. The aim of this research is to convert polystyrene wastes to nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties. The objective of this research is to evaluate the mechanical properties of formulated nanocomposites for possible applications in buildings
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