Clay Nanocomposites Research Articles

Multiple mechanical recycling of a post-industrial flexible polypropylene and its nanocomposite with clay: Impact on properties for food packaging applications

The development of polymer nanocomposites for food packaging has been increasing, but there is a lack of studies on their recyclability. The modification of the physical-mechanical properties and overall migration of post-industrial flexible recycled polypropylene (PIPP) and PIPP/compatibilizer/NI.44P clay nanocomposite with the simulated repetitive mechanical recycling were comparatively studied. The structure, thermal properties, crystallinity, and water vapor permeability of the nanocomposite were not significantly affected by multiple recycling (three re-extrsuion cyles). Among the mean findings, the melt flow rate of the polymer was the parameter more affected by the reprocessing, especially in the nanocomposite. PIPP and PIPP nanocomposite tended to molar mass reduction by repetitive reprocessing. However, a narrower molar mass distribution was obtained according to the rheological analysis. Clay addition significantly reduced the ductility of the films in the first reprocessing cycle but interestingly, the tensile properties for PIPP and nanocomposite were similar in the fourth cycle. Prominently, overall migration of the nanocomposite to olive oil diminished by reprocessing cycles, while the opposite was found for the PIPP without clay. Nonetheless, in all cases, the overall migration values to ethanol 10% and olive oil were below the maximum limit permitted for food packaging.

Effect of Phosphorus-Nitrogen based Flame-Retardant Combined with Zinc Borate on Thermal Stability and Flame Retardancy of Epoxy Clay Nanocomposites

A phosphorus-nitrogen containing 6,6'-(piperazine-1,4-diyl)bis(6H-dibenzo[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphinine 6-oxide) (DOPO-PZ) flame-retardant was synthesized and its effect combined with zinc borate (ZnB) and nanoclay (NC) on thermal stability and flame retardancy of epoxy resin was studied. Various epoxy composites containing DOPO, DOPO-PZ, ZnB and NC using curing agent diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) were prepared. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs of the composites showed intercalated nanostructure of epoxy-clay nanocomposites. In thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), pure epoxy gave 3.4% char yield at 700 ºC in nitrogen atmosphere, while in case of EP/DOPO-PZ/ZnB/NC sample having 1% phosphorus content, 5 wt.% zinc borate (ZnB) and 3 wt.% nanoclay (NC), the char yield is increased to 24.0%. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study showed decrease in the glass transition temperature (Tg) on the addition of flame-retardant due to plasticization effect and increase in Tg on addition of nanoclay due to formation of nanostructure of epoxy composites. The EP/DOPO-PZ/ZnB/NC nanocomposite sample exhibited a limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 29.2% and passed the UL-94 test with a V-0 rating and thus achieved a sufficient flame retardancy.

Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites for the Uptake of Hazardous Anions.

Polymer intercalated clay nanocomposites were prepared from various montmorillonites (Mt) and a polymer, polydiallyldimethylammonim (PDDA) chloride. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the above polymer intercalated nanocomposites showed either no crystalline peaks or very broad peaks with the intercalation of PDDA polymer in the interlayers, probably as a result of exfoliation of the clay layers. Infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of PDDA in all the clay nanocomposite materials. The maximum adsorption capacities of nitrate, perchlorate, and chromate by one of the polymer intercalated nanocomposite materials prepared from montmorillonite, Kunipea were 0.40 mmol·g-1, 0.44 mmol·g-1 and 0.299 mmol·g-1, respectively. The other two polymer intercalated nanocomposites prepared with montmorillonites from Wyoming and China showed very good adsorption capacities for perchlorate but somewhat lower uptake capacities for chromate and nitrate compared to the nanocomposite prepared from montmorillonite from Kunipea. The uptake of nitrate, perchlorate and chromate by the polymer intercalated nanocomposites could be well described using the Freundlich isotherm while their uptake kinetics fitted well to the pseudo-second-order model. The uptake kinetics of nitrate, perchlorate, and chromate were found to be fast as equilibrium was reached within 4 h. Moreover, the uptakes of chromate by polymer intercalated nanocomposites were found to be highly selective in the presence of Cl-, SO42- and CO32-, the most abundant naturally occurring anions.

Effect of Polymer/Nano-Clay Coatings on the Performance of Concrete with High-Content Supplementary Cementitious Materials under Harsh Exposures.

In recent concrete research, a novel category of coatings has emerged: polymers/nanoparticles blends. The efficacy of such coatings warrants extensive examination across various concrete mixtures, particularly those incorporating high-volume supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to mitigate carbon footprints, an industry imperative. This study used three vulnerable concrete mixtures to assess the effectiveness of ethyl silicate and high-molecular-weight methyl methacrylate blended with 2.5% and 5% halloysite and montmorillonite nano-clay. Findings from physical, thermal, and microstructural analyses confirmed vulnerabilities in concretes with a high water-to-binder ratio (0.6) under severe exposure conditions, notably with high SCM content (40% and 60% fly ash and slag, respectively). Neat ethyl silicate or high-molecular-weight methyl methacrylate coatings inadequately protected those concretes against physical salt attacks and salt-frost scaling exposures. However, the incorporation of halloysite nano-clay or montmorillonite nano-clay in these polymers yielded moderate-to-superior concrete protection compared to neat coatings. Ethyl silicate-based nanocomposites provided full protection, achieving up to 100% improvement (no or limited surface scaling) against both exposures, particularly when incorporating halloysite-based nano-clay at a 2.5% dosage by mass. In contrast, high-molecular-weight methyl methacrylate-based nano-clay composites effectively mitigated physical salt attacks but exhibited insufficient protection throughout the entire salt-frost scaling exposure, peeling off at 15 cycles.

Biomechanically tunable scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration and testbeds of cancer bone metastasis

Current challenges in bone regeneration and design of humanoid 3D bone metastases cancer testbeds can be overcome by designing bone-mimetic tissue engineering scaffolds with tunable mechanical and biological properties. This study employs three unnatural amino acids to modify montmorillonite clay (MMT), producing polymer clay nanocomposites (PCNs) to construct 3D bone-mimetic scaffolds. The modification of MMT clay with 5-aminovaleric acid, (±)-2-aminopimelic acid, and 4-(4-Aminophenyl) butyric acid is analyzed through x-ray diffraction (XRD) and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), revealing changes in the interlayer spacing and functional groups. Molecular modeling elucidates the interaction energies in the amino acid intercalated nanoclays that influence the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. 4-(4-Aminophenyl) butyric acid-modified scaffolds exhibited the highest compressive strength, highlighting the critical influence of molecular interactions on the mechanical properties of the PCN. Despite being a small fraction of the scaffold, the presence and type of amino acids significantly affect the scaffold mechanical properties. Cell viability assays affirm biocompatibility of scaffolds. The amino acids within the nanoclays also impact mineralization on scaffolds seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Amino acid type also influences the amount of mineralization in the scaffolds. A sequential culture involving hMSCs and breast cancer cells (MCF-7) on the scaffold mimics breast cancer metastasis to bone. Enhanced mineralization by bone cells in the presence of MCF-7 cells is observed, emphasizing their osteoblastic characteristics. Hence, 3D scaffolds for bone regeneration and bone metastasis cancer testbeds can exhibit tunable mechanical properties and biological responses though a simulation guided choice of unnatural amino acids.

Preparation of Polyethylene Clay Composites via Melt Intercalation Using Hydrophobic and Superhydrophobic Organoclays and Comparison of Their Textural, Mechanical and Thermal Properties.

Polymer clay nanocomposites, which can exhibit many superior properties compared to virgin polymers, have gained increasing interest and importance in recent years. This study aimed to prepare composites of two organoclays with unusual ratios and different degrees of lyophilicity with low-density polyethylene and compare their textural structures and thermal and mechanical properties with those of virgin polymer. For this purpose, firstly, organoclays, hydrophobic and superhydrophobic organoclays (OC and SOC), were prepared by solution intercalation method using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide with and without addition of a hydrocarbon substance. Then, using both organoclays, polyethylene organoclay composites were prepared and characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. Additionally, tensile and hardness tests were performed to determine the mechanical properties of the composites, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms were taken to examine their thermal behavior. XRD patterns and HRTEM images of hydrophobic and superhydrophobic organoclays and the composites show that the characteristic smectite peak of the clay shifts to the left and expands, that is, the interlayer space widens and, in the composites, it deforms immediately at low clay ratios. HRTEM images of the composites prepared especially with low clay ratios indicate that a heterogeneous dispersion of clay platelets occurs, indicating that nanocomposite formation has been achieved. On the contrary, in the composites prepared with high clay ratios, this dispersion behavior partially turns into aggregation. In the composites prepared using up to 20% by weight of superhydrophobic organoclay, extremely stable and continuous improvements in all mechanical properties were observed compared to those of the composites prepared using hydrophobic organoclay. This indicates that by using superhydrophobic organoclay, a ductile nanocomposite of polyethylene containing inorganic components in much higher than usual proportions can be prepared.

Applications of Clays in Nanocomposites and Ceramics

Clays and clay minerals are common natural materials, the unique properties of which have attracted the interest of the industry, especially because these materials are easily available, cheap, and non-toxic. Clays and clay minerals are widely used in many applications, such as in ceramic production, in the clarification of liquids, pollutant adsorbers, filler in composites and nanocomposites, soil amendments, in pharmacy, etc. This review assesses the development in the area of clay application in nanocomposites and ceramics. The first part of this study covers polymer/clay nanocomposites. Topics of interest include nanofiller sources for polymer nanocomposites, the possible ways of clay modification, polymer/clay nanocomposite classification and their processing, and polymer matrix overview with possible enhancement of nanocomposite properties. Some of the applications have already been commercialized. Approximately 80% of the polymer/clay nanocomposites are destined for the automotive, aeronautical, and packaging industries. The second part of this study describes ceramic materials with a focus on silicate ceramics. Talc and kaolinite represent the main natural raw materials for traditional ceramic applications. Less traditional cordierite, steatite, and forsterite could offer property enhancement and seem to be useful in electronics, electrical engineering, catalysts, solar thermal storage, or medical applications.

Synthesis, characterization, and application of novel reusable clay-based magnetic nanocomposite for the removal of organic dyes from water

In this study, a new synthesized magnetic nanocomposite was used as an adsorbent for the removal of toxic cationic dye methylene blue (MB). The adsorbent incorporated three components to produce a nanocomposite named Fe3O4/GO/natural clay. The characterization techniques were used to study the physical and chemical properties of nanocomposite and approve the successful synthesis. XRD of the Fe3O4/GO/natural clay nanocomposite indicated the crystalline structure with the appearance of characteristic peaks of each component. Also, the FT-IR of Fe3O4/GO/clay nanocomposite showed a significant change in the peak intensity of natural clay after the addition of GO and magnetic NPs which attributed to the successful interaction between GO and magnetic NPs with the functional groups on the surface of clay. The TEM and SEM images of the nanocomposite showed that the magnetic NPs, clay, and GO excellently interacted in one appropriate structure with the deposition of clay and magnetic NPs on the GO surface which serves as a matrix holding them. The MB adsorption system was optimized by varying several parameters, including pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, starting concentration, ionic strength, and competing ions. Furthermore, the adsorption isotherm showed that the highest adsorption capacities of 999.34 and 1108.54 mg/g for the Fe3O4/GO/natural clay and Fe3O4/natural clay nanocomposites, respectively, followed the Langmuir isotherm. Additionally, the kinetic analysis showed that a pseudo-second-order model better explained the adsorption on both nanocomposites. The nanocomposite can be reused for multiple cycles with a little drop in its initial performance, according to reusability research conducted up to six times using ethyl alcohol as the eluent. As a result, this reasonably priced adsorbent might be employed as a beneficial and effective dye adsorbent for the removal of MB from water while maintaining the safety of the water quality.

PREPARATION AND FLAME RETARDANT APPLICATION OF CLAY POLYURETHANE NANOCOMPOSITES

In recent years, clay-based organic thermosetting polyurethane polymer nanocomposites have more attracted attention in academia and industries because they exhibit different properties from conventional materials. In this study, we investigated novel thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) by adding nanoparticles of clay as a fire-retardant property. By employing an in-situ polymerization technique with a 2:1 ratio of tolylene 2,4-diisocyanate (TPI) and polyethylene glycol (PEG2000), the NCO terminated TPU prepolymer was created. Cloisite 25A (C25A), an organo-modified montmorillonite clay, was utilized to provide sufficient compatibility with the PEG/TPI matrix. The synthesized nanocomposite was examined using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), SEM analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). FTIR analysis provides information on functional groups. Compared to pure polyurethane, the nanocomposites showed superior thermal stabilities, as determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results from X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy confirm the successful formation of an exfoliated polymer clay nanocomposite under all conditions, evidenced by the absence of the distinct peak (2θ = 4.79º) corresponding to the d-spacing of the organoclay. The relationship between clay loading and TPU matrix type and the mechanical characteristics of nanocomposites was examined. As the amount of clay in the Young's TPU/Cl25A nanocomposites grew, so did their tensile strength and modulus. The fire-retardant experiment was studied by a cone colorimeter. There have been notable advancements in the fire-retardant qualities, including smoke, CO output, and heat release rate. Comparing polyurethane integrated with 5-weight percent organoclay to ordinary polyurethane polymer, a noteworthy 53% reduction was observed.

Synthesis of Ag2O-TiO2-Kaolinite Clay Nanocomposite for Efficient Removal of Mn2+, Fe3+, Cu2+, and Pb2+ and Pathogens in Mining Wastewater

Synthesis of Ag2O-TiO2-Kaolinite Clay Nanocomposite for Efficient Removal of Mn2+, Fe3+, Cu2+, and Pb2+ and Pathogens in Mining Wastewater

A Review on Barrier Properties of Cellulose/Clay Nanocomposite Polymers for Packaging Applications.

Packaging materials are used to protect consumer goods, such as food, drinks, cosmetics, healthcare items, and more, from harmful gases and physical and chemical damage during storage, distribution, and handling. Synthetic plastics are commonly used because they exhibit sufficient characteristics for packaging requirements, but their end lives result in environmental pollution, the depletion of landfill space, rising sea pollution, and more. These exist because of their poor biodegradability, limited recyclability, etc. There has been an increasing demand for replacing these polymers with bio-based biodegradable materials for a sustainable environment. Cellulosic nanomaterials have been proposed as a potential substitute in the preparation of packaging films. Nevertheless, their application is limited due to their poor properties, such as their barrier, thermal, and mechanical properties, to name a few. The barrier properties of materials play a pivotal role in extending and determining the shelf lives of packaged foods. Nanofillers have been used to enhance the barrier properties. This article reviews the literature on the barrier properties of cellulose/clay nanocomposite polymers. Cellulose extraction stages such as pretreatment, bleaching, and nanoparticle isolation are outlined, followed by cellulose modification methods. Finally, a brief discussion on nanofillers is provided, followed by an extensive literature review on the barrier properties of cellulose/clay nanocomposite polymers. Although similar reviews have been presented, the use of modification processes applied to cellulose, clay, and final nanocomposites to enhance the barrier properties has not been reviewed. Therefore, this article focuses on this scope.

Iron-TiO2 pillared clay nanocomposites: Eco-friendly solutions for photocatalytic removal of organic and pathogen contaminants

The synthesis of modified natural bentonite by TiO2 nanoparticles and their photocatalytic and antibacterial applications were studied. The natural bentonite (NB) used in this work has been purified by acid treatment to obtain activated bentonite (AB). Then, the intercalation of AB by Fe3+ noted, as FeAB was prepared. TiO2 and the three nanocomposites (TiO2/NB, TiO2/AB and TiO2/FeAB) were synthesized via a sol–gel and hydrothermal process. TiO2 pillared clays showed an important photocatalytic properties compared to TiO2 nanoparticles alone for the degradation of Metoprolol tartrate (MET). Therefore, TiO2/FeAB were found to be the most effective photocatalyst. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) method. The results of FTIR spectra was consistent with the DRX patterns. The SEM pictures reveal significantly larger particle aggregates, which correspond to bentonite and small particles, which belong to TiO2. The antibacterial activities of all samples was evaluated by using Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacteria) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria). A considerably high bacterial inactivation was achieved within 1 h of visible light irradiation for E. coli colonies. However, in dark all the colonies of S. aureus were killed in the first 30 min.

Mechanical and tribological properties of nano clay/PMMA composites extruded with a twin-screw extruder

An analysis has been done on the strength and wear of the nanocomposites. The synthesis of nano clay or poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanocomposites by using a twin-screw extruder is discussed here. During the synthesis of nanocomposites, a compatibilizer was added to improve the bonding between the clay and matrix between the five different types of composites. The samples obtained are then used for tensile testing after being molded into dog-bone-shaped samples. The tensile test is done by using a UTM (Universal Testing Machine) and tensile strength and tensile modulus were recorded. Then flexural strength and modulus were recorded by conducting a flexural test. The rectangular part of the dog-bone samples is sliced for this test. Similarly, testing of wear was done using a pin-on-disc apparatus. After the flexural test and wear test analysis, scanning electron microscope imaging of the failed and worn-out surfaces is recorded. It was concluded that the pure PMMA sample has lesser strength than the 2.5 wt% sample. But the pre PMMA sample exhibits higher tensile strength and flexural modulus. And on boosting the filler content in the composite material, the strength reduces but the wear resistance of the composite improves.

Enhancing rheological and aging performance of matrix asphalt through thermoplastic phenol-formaldehyde resin-based intercalated clay nanocomposites: Mechanisms and effects

This research presents a comprehensive investigation into the development of advanced asphalt materials fortified with PF/OMMT nanocomposites, emphasizing the synergistic effects of melt blending and nano intercalation. Through meticulous characterization, including SEM, FT-IR, and XRD analyses, the study unveils the microstructural evolution, affirming the formation of highly oriented interlayer structures within the asphalt matrix. The incorporation of OMMT, known for its hydrophobicity, significantly enhances the interfacial interactions between PF and asphalt, thereby bolstering the material's mechanical resilience, specifically its tensile, shear, and high-temperature rutting resistance properties. The presence of PF imparts notable improvements in the asphalt's thermal stability and aging resistance, attributed to its inherent antioxidative properties and the establishment of a robust three-dimensional polymer network with OMMT. These advancements herald a promising avenue for the production of high-performance, durable asphalt with superior anti-aging characteristics, optimized for demanding environmental conditions and heavy-duty applications.

Dual Clay Nanobrick Wall Thin Films with High Oxygen Barrier at High Humidity

AbstractThin polymer‐based coatings with high oxygen barrier at elevated humidity are needed for the protection of food and organic electronic devices. Polyelectrolyte‐based thin films (deposited via layer‐by‐layer assembly) perform well at ambient humidity, but their performance typically dwindles as humidity increases due to their hydrophilic nature. Retention of their high barrier can be achieved through the addition of chemical crosslinkers or the introduction of inorganic platelets that create a nanobrick wall structure. In this study, a nanobrick wall barrier prepared with two types of clay, with a thickness less than 200 nm, is shown to reduce the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of 179 µm polyethylene terephthalate to less than 0.016 cm3 m−2 day−1 atm−1. At 90% relative humidity (RH), a quadlayer barrier consisting of polyethylenimine, boehmite clay, poly(acrylic acid), and vermiculite clay maintains nearly 90% of its barrier performance at 0% RH (OTR = 0.019 cm3 m−2 day−1 atm−1). This study demonstrates the potential of dual clay thin film nanocomposites to protect various consumer goods at high humidity.

Sonocatalytic degradation of nitrobenzene with metal oxide clay nanocomposites

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe presence of a wide range of persistent toxic organic pollutants in industrial effluents poses a serious threat to human and environmental health, emphasising the necessity for developing cost‐effective methods for treating toxic effluents. This study focuses on the synthesis, characterization and evaluation of metal oxide [iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn)]‐doped clay composite for the sonocatalytic degradation of nitrobenzene (NB) in the presence of ultrasound.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSAmong the metal oxides studied, Cu and Fe oxide‐modified clay performed better in the degradation of NB (~99% in the presence of air) compared to a ZnO/clay composite. Process optimization studies were carried with CuO/clay composite at different pHs (2.5–11.5), feed concentrations (50–200 mg L−1) and catalyst loadings (0.25–1.0 g L−1). Neutral pH conditions and higher catalyst loadings of 1 g L−1 were found to be optimal for the efficient degradation of 50 ppm NB. Among the scavengers tested, ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid exhibited strong scavenging effects, resulting in reduced NB degradation compared to isopropyl alcohol and tin tetrachloride, regardless of the scavenger concentration (0.5 and 40 mmol L−1). The catalyst was found to be sufficiently stable for up to four cycles under identical conditions. Additionally, these materials were found to be effective in the degradation of other pollutants [Terephthalic acid, Rhodamine‐B, Ciprofloxacin]. These findings contribute to the development of cost‐effective strategies for the treatment of industrial effluents, reducing the risks posed to both the environment and human health. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Effect of weight of Nanoclay on Tensile, Flexure and Toughness properties of Glass Epoxy composites

In recent times, polymer composites have played an epochal role in transforming material science. Some of their properties such as toughness, strength, flexibility, and rigidity have helped them supplant conventional materials such as iron, steel, and aluminium on several occasions. Apart from this, they are light in weight and more cost-efficient, which make them a viable alternative. They have found their application in several fields such as automobile industry, aerospace industry, construction, and pipeline industry. The present investigation uses composite material fabricated with varying weight percentages of Nano clay viz 1.5, 3.5, and 5 which are compared with Neat Glass Epoxy composite. The reinforcement material used is Glass fibre. Three different orientations viz unidirectional, Symmetric and Asymmetric of the laminate are considered. The fabricated composite is characterized for various mechanical properties like tensile test, flexure, and Fracture toughness testing as per ASTM standards. The addition of Nano Clay showed the improvement in the Tensile, Flexure and Fracture Toughness of the for 3.5 wt% of Nanoclay. The properties under tensile loading i.e. the tensile strength is increased by 12% for Unidirectional laminate, flexure strength increased by 20% for Unidirectional laminate and 20% for Unidirectional laminate fracture Toughness.after 3.5 wt%, there seemed to be a decline in both the properties. The morphological assessment was done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) where the microstructure was analyzed. The SEM images were used to study the activity of the Nanoclay within the fabricated composite. The overall test results suggested that the fiber reinforced nanoclay composites can fit for industrial applications like condenser blades and turbine blades.

Penerapan Teknologi Nanokomposit Pada Kemasan Pangan

Nanotechnology is the manipulation and use of materials and structures on the nanometer scale, roughly between 1 and 100 nm. Nanotechnology has invaded the agri-food industry, with many applications. Nanocomposite is one of the development technologies of Nanotechnology. Nanocomposite packaging is a polymer in which certain types of nano materials have been inserted, such as nano composite clay, nano silica particles (SiO2), carbon nanotubes, graphene, starch nanocrystals, cellulose-based nanofiber or nanowhiskers, chitin chitosan nanoparticles and other inorganics. This paper reviews the main applications of nanocomposites in the field of food packaging. The writing method used in writing this article review is a comparative writing method by collecting various sources obtained from several research journals from 2014 - 2021. From the results of this study, it was found that nanocomposites have very broad potential for their use as food packaging. Such as increasing antimicrobial ability, extending shelf life, maintaining color and sensory quality, as well as other benefits. However, it is necessary to carry out further identification regarding the nature of the interactions between nanoparticles and their effects on the food packaging application process.

Removal of heavy metals from domestic wastewater using Beneficiated Kaolin Clay, Silver Oxide and zinc Oxide nanocomposite

This study describes the removal of total iron, cadmium, lead, copper, manganese, arsenic, mercury silver and zinc from domestic wastewater disposed of via sewers, using Beneficiated Kaolin Clay (BKC), BKC/Ag, BKC/ZnO and BKC/Ag/ZnO nanocomposite adsorbents produced by blending Silver Oxide (Ag) and Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with kaolin clay. High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM) results showed that the produced adsorbents were polycrystalline in nature, while the interplanar spacing and average crystalline sizes are 1.775 – 4.712 nm and 26. 834 – 40.258 nm respectively, according to X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) analysis. The Dispersive X – Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis indicated that SiO2/Al2O3 ratios for BKC/Ag, BKC/ZnO and BKC/Ag/ZnO nanocomposites adsorbents were 1.5170, 1.4818 and 1.5231 respectively. Brunauer – Emmett – Teller (BET) analysis showed that the desorption average pore sizes fell in the mesopore widths of 13.8994 – 16.9233 nm and surface areas of 1.0545 - 14.5126 m2.g-1. The removal efficiencies of the produced adsorbents followed this trend: BKC/Ag/ZnO > BKC/Ag > BKC/ZnO > BKC. These adsorbents were excellent in the removal of total iron, cadmium, lead, copper, manganese, arsenic, mercury silver and zinc pollutants from domestic wastewater, and hence, recommended for large scale production.

Hardness and impact testing of glass epoxy nanoclay composites

There is always a demand for polymer materials which will continue, and many industries are catering for the demand. Nanoclay when added to the Glass Fiber reinforced Epoxy composite, its effect is investigated on the Mechanical properties like Impact and Hardness of the composite which is prepared using hand lay-up technique. The investigation uses the addition of Nanoclay at varied weight percentages viz 1.5, 3.5, and 5 which are compared with Neat Glass Epoxy composite. Three different orientations of composite viz, Unidirectional, Symmetric and Quasi isotropic are prepared at varied levels of weight percentages of Nanoclay. The addition of Nano Clay showed the improvement in the Impact strength and Hardness of the for 3.5 wt% of Nanoclay.The impact property increased by 24% for Unidirectional laminate and Hardness property was found better for quasi isotropic laminate and increased by 12%.after 3.5 wt%, there seemed to be a decline in both the properties. The enhanced properties were due to Nano Clay’s ability to alter the structural morphology. The assessment was done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) where the microstructure was analyzed. The SEM images were used to study the activity of the NanoClay on the Glass Epoxy nanocomposites. The overall findings suggest that these nanocomposites could be used in various industrial applications.