The Development of Environmentally Sustainable Poly(vinyl chloride) Composite from Waste Non-Metallic Printed Circuit Board with Interfacial Agents

Abstract

The recycling of non-metallic printed circuit boards (NMPCB) as a filler in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composite would help to encourage the use of waste NMPCB, thus, reducing some environmental concerns with regard to e-waste. The objective of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the effect of different interfacial agents, namely polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MAH) and ϒ-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (ATPS) on the morphology and properties of PVC/NMPCB composites. A PVC/NMPCB composite was prepared by melt compounding with varying amounts of NMPCB ranging between 10, 20 and 30 wt.%. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy–attenuated total reflectance (FTIR–ATR) analysis revealed the interactions between PVC and NMPCB when using both PP-g-MAH and ATPS interfacial agent. The properties and morphology of PVC/NMPCB composites were significantly dependent on the interfacial agent treated on the NMPCB surface. The phase morphology and mechanical properties of PVC/NMPCB composites (30 wt.% of NMPCB) were improved and the result also indicated that the higher compatibility of composites with ATPS as an interfacial agent led to our obtaining the maximum Young’s modulus of 484 MPa. The dynamic mechanical analysis revealed the interaction at the interface, with the Tg shifting to a lower temperature in the presence of PP-g-MAH and strong interfacial adhesion noted with the improved Tg in the presence of the ATPS interfacial agent. Further evidence of the improved interaction was observed with the increment in density in the presence of ATPS when compared with PP-g-MAH in PVC/NMPCB composite. Hence, of the two interfacial agents, ATPS showed itself to be more effective when employed as an interfacial agent for NMPCB in PVC composite for industry.

High Value-Added Reutilization of Waste-Printed Circuit Boards Non-Metallic Components in Sustainable Polymer Composites

“…It can be expected that the interfacial compatibility between WPCB non-metals and polymer matrixes was significant for the final comprehensive properties of polymer composites. Consequently, Moe et al explored the influence of interfacial modifiers, namely polypropylene-grafted-maleic anhydride (PP-g-MAH) and γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (ATPS), on the properties of PVC/WPCB composites [116]. As depicted in Figure 5e,f, the PVC/WPCB composites without interfacial agents showed obvious voids around the WPCB and holes caused by glass fiber pullout due to weaker interfacial bonding between the PVC matrix and fillers.…”