The Effect of Coupling Agent on the Self-cleaning Ability of Nanowire Zinc Oxide-poly(butylene terephthalate) Fibers

Abstract

Abstract-The aim of this research was to study the effect of the coupling agents, HI-LUBE TM and Licowax TM OP on, rheology properties, thermal properties, mechanical properties and self-cleaning properties of PBT-nanowire ZnO composite fibers. Variation of the nanowire ZnO contents in the PBT composite fibers resulted in self-cleaning properties of the fibers. With increase in the amount of nanowire ZnO in PBT composite fibers, the self-cleaning properties of the PBT composite fibers gradually increased. The ZnO/PBT composite fibers in presents of ZnO 5wt% showed the best results of self-cleaning less than 30 hours of the sunlight which the similar results were found less than 54 hours of 20 watts of UV radiation. Both coupling agents were not affected the self-cleaning properties of the fiber. The Melt Flow Index of the Licowax TM OP-series sample (L-series) slightly higher than HI-LUBE TM -series sample (E-series) due to the lubricant additive agent increasing the process ability. SEM micrographs showed the fracture surface of the nanowire ZnO composite fibers at different ratios. The mechanical properties of the ZnO/PBT composite fibers results provide further evident to proof that this composite fibers was able to make textile products. Moreover, the HI-LUBE TM additive was presented the well mixing between nanowire-ZnO and PBT due to HI-LUBE TM is a coupling agent and lubricant while Licowax TM OP is a lubricant. IndexTerms-Nanocomposite, coupling agent, nanowire-zinc oxide, poly(butylene terephthalate), self-cleaning. I. INTRODUCTIONMany attentions have been focused on the polymer-inorganic nanocomposite materials (PINCs). The use of inorganic nanoparticles into the polymer matrix can provide high-performance novel materials that find applications in many fields such as fuel cell, flammability resistance, biomedical, semiconductor, polymer blend compatibilization, textile [1], [2]. However the retention of homogeneous dispersion of nanosize particle in the preparation process of nanocomposites is very difficult because of strong tendency for nanoparticles to agglomerate. To prevent the formation of agglomerated nanoparticles in [6]. It is know that coupling agents such as Silane and polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride are an effective way to improve its dispersibility in polymer matrix as well, and hence ameliorate the polymer matrix, thus enhancing the properties of the resulting composites.Poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) is one of the most widely used in automotive, electric, consumer application and textile industry. Beside, PBT also enhances the comprehensive properties of semicrystalline engineering thermoplastic including a high rate of crystallization, good solvent resistance, thermal stability, and excellent processing properties and hence finds its applications in despite its exquisite properties; PBT is very often modified with other polymers and particulate fillers [7].Nano zinc oxide (nano-ZnO) is well-known environmentally friendly and multifunctional inorganic fillers which exhibits l...