Packaging material-based polystyrene ZnFe2O4/clay nanocomposite: preparation, characterization and degradation studies

Polystyrene (PS) is one of the largely consumed polymeric materials that owing to its non-degradable nature have risen serious concerns about its disposal that is posing a great threat to mankind and environment. The present work deals with the synthesis of ZnFe 2 O 4 /Kaolinite (Fe–Zn/K) nanocompos...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied nanoscience 2022, Vol.12 (5), p.1459-1473
Main Authors: Saleem, Wajeeha, Nazir, Rabia, Chaudhry, M. N., Saleem, Murtaza, Abidi, Syed Hussain
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemistry and Materials Science
Deformation
Degradation
Elongation
Iron
Kaolinite
Materials Science
Membrane Biology
Nanochemistry
Nanocomposites
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology and Microengineering
Original Article
Packaging
Polymer films
Polystyrene resins
Reduction
Soil conditions
Soils
Tensile strength
Zinc
Zinc ferrites
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Summary:Polystyrene (PS) is one of the largely consumed polymeric materials that owing to its non-degradable nature have risen serious concerns about its disposal that is posing a great threat to mankind and environment. The present work deals with the synthesis of ZnFe 2 O 4 /Kaolinite (Fe–Zn/K) nanocomposite that when used as filler promotes self-degradation of PS under normal soil burial conditions. The films of post-consumer PS packaging material were prepared in lemon oil followed by incorporation of different levels of Fe–Zn/K (1–5%). The prepared materials were characterized using FT-IR, XRD, SEM/EDX, TGA, tensile and elongation studies. The results showed that increase in doping concentration strengthens the mechanical strength of the films. In addition to that, SEM/EDX indicates that with increase in ratio of Fe–Zn/K; the nanocomposite adopts different morphological formations. The incorporation of Fe–Zn/K into the polymer matrix also facilitates the degradation of PS films under normal soil burial conditions. The structural deformation of the PS films after 30 and 60 days of soil burial was evidenced by FT-IR and SEM/EDX. There was considerable reduction in temperature to 50% and 95% decomposition in each sample after burial which follows the order: t 0  >  t 30  >  t 60 . Similarly, there was considerable reduction in tensile strength and elongation in the all the samples after t 30 and t 60 again referring to structural deformation as a result of chemical changes in the films. All the studies pointed to self-degradation of the doped polymeric films with highest degradation achieved at 5% Fe–Zn/K loading but optimum degradation can be achieved at loading concentrations of 3% as well.
ISSN:2190-5509
2190-5517
DOI:10.1007/s13204-021-02316-2