Effect of Nano-Filler Content and Fiber Treatment on the Characteristics of Gamma-irradiated Rice Husk-Epoxy Particleboard Composites.‎

Abstract

In this study, both untreated and treated rice husk fibers with a silane coupling agent are incorporated with epoxy resin to prepare particleboard composites. The effect of different ratios of nanoclay namely, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% (by the weight of the polymer) on the physicomechanical properties of the prepared particleboard composites is investigated. The results show that the flexural, and impact strengths as a function of mechanical properties getting better with increasing nanoclay content up to 10%. While the addition of nanoclay to the samples decreases the water absorption percentage. This decrease is almost constant with nanoclay (%). In addition, the effect of different doses of gammairradiation on the properties of both untreated and treated rice husk-epoxy particleboard composites that containing 10% of nanoclay is also discussed. The results show that the irradiated specimens at a dose of 10 kGy achieved a good enhancement in mechanical properties whereas the water absorption percentage as a physical property decreases at a dose of 10 kGy and starts to increase with increasing gamma irradiation doses. TGA, and SEM are carried out to confirm the data obtained.

Extractability of Rice Husk Waste Using Green Gamma Radiation for Dye Elimination in Laboratory-Scale Sorption System: Equilibrium Isotherm and Kinetic Analysis

“…γ-irradiation technology has demonstrated many potential advantages over other conventional processing methods. It is an eco-friendly technology and signified as a green process since it requires no need for a catalyst or additives for processing [30]. γ-irradiation possesses high-energy photons and short wavelengths, making it deeply penetrating into samples over a short amount of time [31].…”

“…γ-irradiation possesses high-energy photons and short wavelengths, making it deeply penetrating into samples over a short amount of time [31]. Previous reports have applied such technology to improve the physical and mechanical properties of various rubber-blended composites and/or rice husk derivative fillers [30,32,33]. Moreover, γ-irradiation was used to induce the cross-linkage of a polymer backbone and polymer degradation without chemical reagents [31,34,35].…”