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SbstractThe effects of the polypropylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PP-g-MAH) and polypropylene methyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (PP-POSS) compatibilizers on the mechanical, thermal and physical properties of palm kernel shell (PKS) reinforced polypropylene (PP) were investigated. The production of PP/PKS biocomposites was performed by melt mixing using Brabender Internal Mixer. Mechanical test results showed that the biocomposites with PP-g-MAH have better tensile strength compared to biocomposites with or without PP-POSS. The results also showed an increase in the tensile strength and elongation at break when compatibilizers were added. Polypropylene-grafted maleic anhydride improved the Young's modulus of the biocomposites, but PP-POSS reduced it. Moreoever, adding compatibilizers in biocomposites reduced the water absorption of the biocomposites. The compatibilizers improved the nucleating ability of filler in the composites. The PP-g-MAH compatibilizer provided better performance in improving nucleating ability to biocomposites compared to PP-POSS.

A comprehensive study was carried out to assess the effectiveness of untreated and treated palm kernel shell (PKS) as filler into the polypropylene (PP) matrix at different filler loading (5 wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt%, and 25wt%) to form a biocomposite material. Surface modification of PKS surface was made by treating it with 2wt% of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) coupling agent. The efficiency of treated PKS and non-treated PKS were assessed based on its tensile and flexural properties, water absorbability, and surface morphology. The biocomposites were prepared using Brabender Plastograph internal mixer at processing temperature of 180°C and rotor speed of 60rpm. Results showed that the treated PKS/PP has better mechanical properties with less water absorption than non-treated PKS/PP and neat PP. Moreover, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) surface images of the treated PKS/PP biocomposites showed stronger interaction between filler and matrix due to surface modification. The Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results showed the changes in the functional groups of the treated PKS indicating an effective surface modification using amino silane. It was concluded that the addition of amino silane treated palm kernel shell as filler/additives into PP matrix offers better properties on tensile, flexural and water absorbility of the biocomposites.

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