SURFACE MORPHLOGY CHARACTERIZATION ON GREEN ADHESIVE PREPARED USING AGRICULTURAL AND PLASTIC WASTE MATERIAL AS COMPOSITES

Abstract

The surface morphology on green adhesives prepared using agricultural and plastic waste materials as composite for domestic and industrial utilizations was carried out. Preparation of adhesive filler (Rice Husk Ash) and formulation of adhesive binders (Polystyrene waste and Arabic gum) were conducted. A synthetic adhesive (Sample A) served as a control. Standard Adhesive and samples formulated were labeled A (Top Bond), B (Arabic gum and rice husk ash), C (Expanded polystyrene waste and rice husk ash), D (Expanded polystyrene waste and rice husk ash/CaCO3), E (Expanded polystyrene waste/Arabic gum and rice husk ash), F (Polyvinyl acetate/ Arabic gum and rice husk ash) and G (Expanded polystyrene waste/ Arabic gum and Calcium carbonate as a filler) respectively based on varied quantities of fillers and binders. The samples were subjected to scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis of different magnifications and their responses observed. The sample magnification was taken from x350, x500, x1000, x1500 and x2000 for all the samples investigated. The SEM images confirmed the dispersion of the fillers in the polymer matrix. It is evident that the formaldehyde emission of sample A, B, C, D, E, F and G are 0.05, 0.04, 0.04, 0.04, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.03 respectively. Sample A has the highest emission (0.05) followed by sample B, C and D. Samples E and G had the lowest emission followed by sample F. All the samples were below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit (0.08 ppm). Samples E, G gives better products with formaldehyde emission test. It is evident that most of the adhesives formulated can compete favourably with the standard in terms of morphological structure, formaldehyde emission and bond strength.