Scrap leather valorization through composite fabrication using mustard oil resin and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone

Abstract

Composites derived from petroleum sources like epoxy, unsaturated polyester and phenolics have limitations due to non-biodegradability toxicity which have harmful effects on the environment; hence, there is a necessity to replace them with green composites. Presently, the synthesis of edible oil for resin formation and the use of scrap leather as reinforcement for composite fabrication are still not carried out. In this work, we have synthesized acrylate epoxidized mustard oil (AEMO) and blended it with crosslinker N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP) using scrap leather pieces as reinforcement for composite fabrication. Characterization of mustard oil (MO), epoxidized mustard oil (EMO) and acrylate epoxidized mustard oil was carried out using iodine value, oxirane content, acid value, FTIR, NMR and viscosity. A ratio of 50:50 for AEMO:NVP and leather loading of 15%, 30% and 60% were used to make the composites. Increased leather loading showed improvement in mechanical properties in terms of higher tensile strength, Young’s modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus and Izod impact values of 20.43, 1575.63, 48.14 and 3330 MPa and 0.22 kJ, respectively, at 60% loading. Biodegradability test indicated weight loss for all the composites with time recording a weight loss of 2.95%, 4.00%, 4.25%, 5.00% for 0% (neat), 15%, 30% and 60% loadings. TGA, DTA and DSC analysis proved excellent thermal stability at higher loading. Excellent bonding at lower loadings was observed by morphological analysis. An increase in storage and loss modulus and a decrease in tan δ with broadening of the peak for higher loadings were noted. Chemical resistance test gave no deterioration of the samples except with acids.