Search

In this study, almond shell waste (ASW) as filling material, pure (ER), and waste polystyrene modified bisphenol-A type epoxy resin (ER-PS) were used to obtain biobased composite materials. The modification of ASW was carried out with NaOH and linoleic acid (LnA). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Particle size distribution analyses were used in the characterization of ASW. Composites were prepared at filling ratios of 10-20-30-40-50% by mass using the casting technique. The morphology of the composites was characterized by SEM. The effects of epoxy matrix type and BK filling ratio on composites' mechanical, thermal, and water sorption properties were investigated. Tensile strength and modulus of elasticity (e-modulus) values of ERPS/ASW composites were lower, and tensile elongation values were higher than ER/ASW composites. The highest tensile strength values of 95-129 MPa were obtained for LnA modified ASW composites. The order of the tensile strength of the prepared ER matrix composites according to the filler type is: linoleic acid-modified ASW (LnA-ASW)>NaOH treated ASW (NaOH-ASW) > unmodified ASW. The most suitable ASW ratio was found as 30% by mass. e-modulus values of all modified ASW composites were higher than the epoxy matrix. According to the hardness test results, there was no significant difference between the composites. The water sorption of the composites increased depending on the ASW ratio and had a weakening effect on the mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the synthesis, characterization, thermal and optical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA)/organomodified montmorillonit clay (OMTAB) nanocomposites were investigated. PMMA/nanoclay composites were synthesized by in situ polymerization method. Organomodified montmorillonit clay and PMMA/OMTAB nanocomposites were characterized by FTIR technique. The interlayer spacing of the organoclay platelets and the polymer clay nanocomposites were determined by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. It was determined that the clay dispersion in the polymer matrix was exfoliated behavior. Thermal behaviors and thermal degradation activation energies of nanocomposites were determined by thermogravimetric analysis method (TGA). Polymer/nanocomposite thin films on the quartz surface were prepared by spin coating technique. The optical properties were obtained by measuring transmittance values in a UV-VIS spectrophotometer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]