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 ∼29% in tensile, ∼49% in flexural, and ∼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 (∼125°C) and a decrease in melting temperature of all the composites, while TGA confirms a reduction in the activation energy of all the composites.