Vinyl silane-functionalized rice husk ash-reinforced unsaturated polyester nanocomposites

Abstract

Organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposites based on vinyl silane-functionalized rice husk ash-reinforced unsaturated polyester resin were developed and characterized. Rice husk ash (RHA) is an agro product resulting from the incineration of rice husk and is used as a silica source. The present work involves the functionalization of rice husk ash using vinyl triethoxy silane reinforced with UP resin to enhance the thermomechanical properties of the UP resin. The physio-chemical, thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of the composite samples were analysed using FT-IR, differential scanning calorimetry, electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, XRD and goniometry. The mechanical properties i.e., tensile strength, modulus, flexural strength, impact strength and hardness were studied and reported. The values of dielectric constant and contact angle were also studied and discussed. The vinyl silane-functionalized rice husk ash-reinforced UP resin composites possess better thermomechanical, dielectric and surface properties than those of neat UP matrix.