Synergistic effect of nanoTiO2 and nanoclay on mechanical, flame retardancy, UV stability, and antibacterial properties of wood polymer composites

• Published in: Polymer bulletin (Berlin, Germany) Vol. 70; no. 4; pp. 1397 - 1413
• Main Authors: Devi, Rashmi R., Gogoi, Krishna, Konwar, Bolin K., Maji, Tarun K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.04.2013; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Antimicrobial agents; Applied sciences; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Complex Fluids and Microfluidics; Composite materials; Composites; Copolymers; Exact sciences and technology; Flame retardants; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Mechanical properties; Metal oxides; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Nitrogen; Organic Chemistry; Original Paper; Physical Chemistry; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymer matrix composites; Polymer Sciences; Polymers; Scanning electron microscopy; Soft and Granular Matter; Stability analysis; Styrene acrylonitrile resins; Synergistic effect; Technology of polymers; Tensile strength; Titanium dioxide; Trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate; Weight loss; Wood; Wood-based materials; Wood. Paper. Non wovens; India; Degradation; Mechanical properties; Flame retardancy; Nanocomposites; Renewable resources; Biological properties; Titanium IV Oxides; Clay; SAN; Organic silane; Softwood; Tensile property; Experimental study; Composite material; Coupling agent; Bactericidal effect; Thermal properties; Bending strength; Ultraviolet resistance; Chemical treatment; Flammability; Nanocomposite; Chemical properties; Antibacterial agent
• ISSN: 0170-0839; 1436-2449
• DOI: 10.1007/s00289-013-0928-x

Wood–polymer nanocomposite (WPNC) based on styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), γ-trimethoxy silyl propyl methacrylate-modified TiO 2 nanoparticles, and nanoclay was prepared by impregnation. The flexural, tensile, and flame-retardant properties were improved. UV stability was evaluated by photo-induced weight loss, FTIR, loss in mechanical properties, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that UV stability was maximum for wood sample treated with SAN/TiO 2 (0.5 %)/nanoclay (0.5 %). The presence of TiO 2 nanoparticles in WPNC-exhibited antibacterial activity.