Evaluation of a hyperbranched polyester polyol as plasticizing agent for composites of recycled polystyrene and rice husk

Abstract

This study makes a contribution to the preparation of composites from recycled polystyrene and rice husk (it is mainly incinerated producing environmental contamination in Norte de Santander department-Colombia), which will contribute to reduce the accumulation of waste derivatives from polymeric and rice industries in this region. Hence, the aim of this work was to use a hyperbranched polyester as plasticizing agent and to evaluate its influence on the properties of the composites. The proportions of the recycled polystyrene and rice husk were 60 wt% and 40 wt% respectively. In the case of the polyester, were employed amount of 10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30 wt% and 40 wt%. Also was prepared a control sample (0 % of polyester). The results of infrared analysis evidenced changes in the absorption of the hydroxy groups. The thermogravimetric analysis showed that the first thermal decomposition of the composites decreased with the polyester content, but it did not follow the same trend on mechanical properties. The results of scanning electronic microscopy analysis allowed evidence that the fracture mechanism of the composite was fragile. The viscosity of the control sample was lower than that of the composites obtained with the polyester.