Effect of Plasma and NaOH Treatment for Rice Husk/PP Composites

Changes occurring in rice husk (RH) polypropylene (PP) composites with 20% concentration of a NaOH treatment for 24 h and plasma treatment, respectively, were compared with raw RH/PP for the void contents, mechanical properties and water absorptions. In all cases, 2% MAPP was evenly mixed with PP and atmospheric glow discharge (AGD) was used in plasma coating of RH. A study of the mechanical properties and SEM observations for plasma- and NaOH-treated, respectively, for RH/PP indicated improved adhesion of RH with PP. When RH was alkali-treated with 20% concentration for 24 h, RH/PP's tensile strength and modulus were improved by 100 and 229%, respectively, compared with raw RH/PP. However, plasma treatment on RH showed better improvement in tensile strengths by 140% and modulus by 247%, respectively. Moisture absorption on plasma-treated RH/PP was lowered by more than 56% compared with raw RH/PP.