Effect of Montmorillonite Modification on Ultra Violet Radiation Cured Nanocomposite Filled with Glycidyl Methacrylate Modified Kenaf

In this study nanocomposite cured by ultra violet radiation, were produced using modified montmorillonite (MMT) as reinforcing agent, chemically modified kenaf bast fiber as filler and unsaturated polyester as the matrix. Kenaf bast fiber was chemically modified with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) whilst MMT were modified with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). Fixed 12 percent of GMA modified kenaf bast fiber with different percentage (i.e., 1, 3 and 5) of unmodified and modified MMT loading was used to produce the composite. The performed of GMA reaction with hydroxyl group of cellulose in kenaf bast fiber was evaluated using Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. GMA-MMT filled composite showed higher mechanical properties than MMT and CTAB-MMT filled composite. However, the increase of MMT, CTAB-MMT and GMA- MMT loading resulted in the reduction of mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed the evidence of compatibility enhancement between MMT and kenaf bast fiber with unsaturated polyester matrix. (paper)