Effect of Palm Fiber on Photo and thermo-degradation of Polyethylene composites

Authors

  • Wirasak Smitthipong Kasetsart Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Product Improvement Institute (KAPI), Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thanland.
  • Rungsima Chollakup Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, Institut de Chimie de Clermont-Ferrand (ICCF), CNRS UMR 6296, BP 10448, F-63000, France.
  • Wuttinan Kongtad Kasetsart Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Product Improvement Institute (KAPI), Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thanland.
  • Florence Delor-Jestin Clermont Université, ENSCCF, BP10448, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Keywords:

polyethylene (PE), palm fiber, photo-degradation

Abstract

Polyethylene/palm fiber composites (PEP) were prepared by blending low density polyethylene (PE) and palm fibers (diameter < 1 mm) in a twin-screw extruder. Thin films of PEP at 0–30% fiber weight were either exposed to accelerated artificial photo-ageing (λ > 300 nm, 60 °C) or to thermo-oxidation at 100 °C in an aerated oven. Infrared (IR) spectra after photo-oxidation showed that the incorporation of fibers in PE increased its degradation rate with the formation of carbonyl and vinyl groups. A decrease was observed in the aromatic C=C absorption IR peaks of the lignin structure in the PEP composites. This indicated that the lignin structure in the fibers was photo-oxidized and produced radical species for oxidation. Crystallinity change of the PEP composites, analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry, tended to increase upon photo- and thermo-ageing. This effect could be explained by chain scissions involved in the oxidation process, as the shorter chains of PE would have a higher mobility, allowing the reorganization of the PE matrix. Compared to thermo-degradation, the amount of vinyl groups remained constant indicating no reaction of the ketones in a Norrish type II process. The higher thermo-oxidation rate in PEP composites may be a result of radical species of cellulose and hemicellulose degradation in palm fibers.

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Published

2014-12-31

How to Cite

Smitthipong, Wirasak, Rungsima Chollakup, Wuttinan Kongtad, and Florence Delor-Jestin. 2014. “Effect of Palm Fiber on Photo and Thermo-Degradation of Polyethylene Composites”. Agriculture and Natural Resources 48 (6). Bangkok, Thailand:908-15. https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/anres/article/view/243487.

Issue

Section

Research Article