Effect of [C2mim][OTf] Ionic Liquid on Tensile Properties of HDPE/KCF Biocomposites: A Primary Research
Ahmad Adlie Shamsuri *
Laboratory of Biocomposite Technology, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Siti Atiqa Al Zahra Mat Darus
Centre for Materials and Smart Manufacturing, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia and Mechanical Engineering Department, Polytechnic of Sultan Azlan Shah, Behrang Stesen, 35950 Behrang, Perak, Malaysia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In this primary research, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate ionic liquid ([C2mim][OTf]) was added to the high-density polyethylene/kenaf core fiber (HDPE/KCF) biocomposites by using an internal mixer at 150°C, followed by compression molding at the same temperature. The [C2mim][OTf] contents were varied from 0 to 10wt.%. The tensile properties of the prepared biocomposites have been determined by using a universal testing machine. The tensile results of the HDPE/KCF biocomposites indicated that the tensile strength and tensile modulus have decreased with the addition of [C2mim][OTf]. However, the presence of [C2mim][OTf] has significantly increased the tensile extension at break of the biocomposites. This research concluded that the addition of [C2mim][OTf] at the lower content (≈ 10wt.%) could act as a plasticizer for improving the flexibility of HDPE/KCF biocomposites.
Keywords: Ionic liquid, tensile properties, kenaf, biocomposite