Effect of Different Compatibilisers and Nanoclays on the Physical Properties of Wood (Phragmites Karka)–Polymer Composites

Abstract

Wood–polymer composites (WPCs) were prepared by solution blending of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (1:1:0.5), wood four, nanoclay, and compatibiliser. Compatibility among different polymers as well as with wood four was evaluated by using different kinds of compatibiliser, namely glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) and polyethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate (PE-co-GMA). The formation of a nanocomposite was confirmed by XRD and TEM studies. SEM study showed that maximum improvement in compatibility of nanoclay-reinforced WPCs was achieved by using a mixture of compatibilisers (GMA + PE-co-GMA + PE-g-MA). FTIR study indicated an interaction between the polymer blend, wood four, nanoclay, and the compatibiliser. WPCs prepared by using blended compatibiliser, nanoclay, and 40 phr wood four exhibited maximum hardness, thermal stability, mechanical and fame-retardant properties. The water uptake capacity of blended-compatibiliser-based wood–polymer nanocomposites was lower than that of individual-compatibiliser-based nanocomposites.