Utilization of Polymer Wastes Using Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes as a Reinforcing Filler to Make Strong Value Added Products

摘要

This paper reports the utilization of waste plastic to prevent environment pollution. In this work, high density polyethylene (HDPE) liquid detergent bottles waste is used as polymer matrix and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with several weight percentage (2%, 5%, 10%) used as reinforcement to make nanocomposites. The MWCNTs were properly dispersed into the HDPE by micro twin screw extruder with back flow channel. The effect of incorporation of MWCNTs on mechanical properties is studied. The tensile strength and Young's modulus of the nanocomposite was observed to be 35.4 MPa and 710.1 MPa respectively with 10 wt% of MWCNTs loading. The overall improvement was observed to be 37% in tensile strength and 44% in Young's modulus as compared to that of HDPE. The improvement in the mechanical properties is well supported by the micro Raman spectroscopic and scanning electron microscopic studies. This significant improvement in the mechanical properties of these composites find its application for making high strength water storage tank in place of commercial HDPE polymer tanks.