Development and characterization of a recycled nylon fiber reinforced and nano-fly ash hybridized high impact performance polypropylene composite for sustainability

The pursuit of a renewable and recyclable material to reduce carbon footprint is the need of the hour for a safe and secure future of flora and fauna. This study explores the reinforcement potential of pre-treated recycled nylon fiber (NF) with CaCl2, NaOH and silane in a polypropylene (PP) matrix. Silane coating over the fiber surface was confirmed from FTIR and surface morphology. Interfacial interactions among NF and PP were further strengthened by adding nano-structured cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) treated fly ash (FA). A positive hybridization effect of FA was observed on such hybrid composites, apparent from an increment of similar to 29% in tensile, similar to 49% in flexural, and similar to 970% in notched Izod impact strength. FE-SEM analysis showed good dispersion and distribution of reinforcements into the base matrix, establishing excellent interfacial adhesion. DSC analysis showed an increase in crystallization temperature (similar to 125 degrees C) and a decrease in melting temperature of all the composites, while TGA confirms a reduction in the activation energy of all the composites.