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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Cotton Production and Processing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #422588
Research Project: Enhancing the Profitability and Sustainability of Upland Cotton, Cottonseed, and Agricultural Byproducts through Improvements in Pre-Ginning, Ginning, and Post-Ginning Processes

Location: Cotton Production and Processing Research

Title: Elucidating the role of nano boron and zinc oxide-coated silane-treated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) on the mechanical, thermal, and flammability characteristics of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)

Author
item RAEISI, AMIRMOHAMMAD - Montana State University
item ARA, ISMAT - Montana State University
item BAJWA, DILPREET - Montana State University
item Holt, Gregory

Submitted to: International Journal of Medical Nano Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/27/2025
Publication Date: 3/17/2025
Citation: Raeisi, A., Ara, I., Bajwa, D., Holt, G.A. 2025. Elucidating the role of nano boron and zinc oxide-coated silane-treated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) on the mechanical, thermal, and flammability characteristics of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). International Journal of Medical Nano Research. 10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nwnano.2025.100103.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nwnano.2025.100103

Interpretive Summary: The risk of fire is a primary concern for many products and synthetic polymers are no exception. One such synthetic polymer, that is used the most, is High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE). This study looked at using cellulosic nanocyrstals (CNC) laced with metallic fillers such as boron and zinc oxide. The HDPE produced using the metallic-laced CNC resulted in improved mechanical and physical properties. The overall weight of the product decreased by 28% while the mechanical properties were increased by 64%. In addition to these improvements, the rate at which fire spreads, if the HDPE ever caught fire, was reduced by 52%. These results are very promising for situations and/or processes when HDPE's are used where fire potential may be present.

Technical Abstract: The fire risk of synthetic polymers has emerged as a growing safety issue. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is one of the most used polymers in different applications. However, HDPE has some drawbacks, such as low thermal and mechanical properties. To address this challenge, silane functionalized cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), nano boron oxide (B2O3) and nano zinc oxide (ZnO) were incorporated into the HDPE matrix in different percentages (3%, and 5%) and weight ratios (1:1, and 1:2). The composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), horizontal burn test, and microcalorimetry tests. The results indicated that adding CNCs-ZnO resulted in a 64 % increase in mechanical properties, a 28 % decrease in weight loss, and a reduced flame spread rate of the composites. The CNCs- B2O3 composites showed a lower flame spread rate and a 52 % improvement in mechanical properties. Overall, adding nano metallic fillers, such as nano ZnO and B2O3, significantly enhanced HDPE composites' thermal stability, mechanical properties, and fire resistance. These improvements highlight the potential of nano metal oxides and CNC as functional fillers where mechanical strength and fire safety are essential.