Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences Vol 22 No 6 (2018): 999 - 1006

BLENDS OF LINEAR LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE, NATURAL RUBBER AND POLYANILINE: TENSILE PROPERTIES AND THERMAL STABILITY

(Adunan Polimer Polietilena Linear Berketumpatan Rendah, Getah Asli dan Polianilina: Sifat Regangan dan Kestabilan Terma)

Farrah Diyana Zailan, Ruey Shan Chen*, Sahrim Ahmad, Dalila Shahdan, Adilah Mat Ali, Mohd Farid Hakim Mohd Ruf

School of Physics and Materials Novel, Faculty of Science and Technology

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

*Corresponding author: rueyshanchen@hotmail.com

Received: 27 July 2017; Accepted: 28 April 2018

Abstract

The thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) blends made up of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and natural rubber (NR) were mixed using internal mixer at 130 °C, 30 rpm and for 13 minutes. Liquid natural rubber (LNR) was added as a compatibilizer for an immiscible blend of TPNR. The effect of polyaniline (PANI) content (1–5 wt.%) on the tensile and thermal properties of TPNR blend was investigated. The mechanical property results showed that the tensile strength increased 21% as compared to TPNR. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurement proved that the incorporation of PANI, even though in low content, had enhanced the thermal stability of TPNR blend. The glass transition temperature (T_g) and melting temperature (T_m)of the TPNR and TPNR/PANI blends were studied by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrograph confirmed the good dispersion of PANI within the TPNR phases and the well interaction among the components in TPNR/PANI blends.

Keywords: polymer blend, thermoplastic natural rubber, liquid natural rubber, morphology

Abstrak

Adunan getah asli termoplastik (TPNR) yang terdiri daripada campuran polietilena linear berketumpatan rendah (LLDPE) dan getah asli (NR) telah diadun dengan menggunakan mesin pengadun dalaman pada suhu 130 °C, 30 ppm dan selama 13 minit. Cecair getah asli (LNR) telah ditambah sebagai pengserasi terhadap adunan TPNR yang tak terlarutcampur. Kesan kandungan polianilina (PANI) (1-5 %bt.) terhadap sifat regangan dan terma bagi adunan TPNR/PANI telah dikaji. Keputusan sifat mekanik menunjukkan bahawa kekuatan regangan telah ditambahbaik sebanyak 21% berbanding dengan TPNR. Analisis termogravimetri (TGA) membuktikan bahawa penggabungan PANI, walaupun pada kandungan yang rendah, dapat meningkatkan kestabilan terma adunan TPNR/PANI. Suhu peralihan kaca (T_g) dan suhu peleburan (T_m)bagiadunan TPNR dan TPNR/PANI telah dikaji melalui analisis kalorimetri imbasan perbezaan (DSC). Mikrograf mikroskop elektron pengimbas mengesahkan penyebaran PANI yang baik dalam fasa TPNR serta interaksi yang baik antara komponen-komponen dalam adunan TPNR/PANI.

Kata kunci: polimer adunan, getah asli termoplastik, cecair getah asli, morfologi

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