The effect of eco-degradant PD04 on the properties of recycled polyethylene/chitosan biocomposites

Abstract

The effect of eco-degradant PD04 on the properties of recycled polyethylene (RPE)/chitosan biocomposites has been investigated. The recycled polyethylene/chitosan biocomposites were prepared by using Z-blade mixer at 180°C with a rotation speed of 50 rpm. RPE was filled with chitosan at various loading of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 per hundred part (php). Whereas, 5 php of eco-degradant PD04 from the weight of RPE was used as degradation additive of the biocomposites. From tensile properties results, it indicates that the presence of eco-degradant has increased the tensile strength and Young's modulus but decrease the elongation at break. The biocomposites with eco-degradant has reduced the amount of water absorption and this indicates that eco-degradant give better water resistance to the biocomposites. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrograph of fracture tensile surface shows that the chitosan is well dispersed in RPE matrix with the presence of eco-degradant. The filler was coated with matrix, indicates that the filler is more compatible with the matrix. The biocomposites with eco-degradant have better compatibility, dispersion and adhesion as compared to biocomposites without eco-degradant. © 2006-2016 Asian Research Publishing Network (ARPN).