Targeted application of GO to improve mechanical and thermal properties of PVCS/RS composites

Abstract

In this study, wood–plastic composites (WPCs) were prepared from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) modified by sodium trisulfide (Na₂S₃) and rice straw (RS) treated with 7% sodium hydroxide solution. The results showed that after modification, 35.4 wt. % of sulfur is present in the structure of PVC containing sulfur (PVCS). The structural, morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of the samples were investigated. As the RS fibers content in the composites increased, the thermal stability also increased but the mechanical properties decreased slightly. Moreover, the presence of sulfur in the matrix created antifungal properties that the results showed us that the PVCS can inhibit and kill Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus brasiliensis. Also, graphene oxide (GO) was added to the matrix to improve its properties. The addition of GO to composite improved the mechanical and thermal properties to extent that its mechanical properties were better than the sample without RS.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Wood–plastic composites
• polyvinyl chloride
• graphene oxide
• antifungal properties
• mechanical properties

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Data availability

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available at this time as the data form part of an ongoing study. However, the datasets are available from the corresponding author (Milad Sheydaei, [email protected]) on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.