Synthesis, characterization and performance of nanocopper impregnated sawdust-reinforced nanocomposite

In this work different types of nanocomposites have been synthesized in a facile approach, where the major components of the target material are unsaturated polyester resin, sawdust of Swietenia mahagoni and copper nanoparticles. To develop the desired nanocomposites initially, nanosol of copper particles has been synthesized in our laboratory thereafter the copper nanoparticles (in the sol) are impregnated on/into the Swietenia mahagoni sawdust to make it strong and durable. The impregnated copper nanoparticle is functioning to improving the mechanical properties and controlling of biodegradability. Such strong and durable sawdust is a novel reinforcing agent for the target unsaturated polyester resin nanocomposite. The impregnated copper nanoparticles also foster the antifungal activity (~ 14%), crystallinity (~ 5.6%), durability (~ 10%), and mechanical strength (~ 56%) of the nanocomposites compare with the untreated sawdust-based composites. Cationization of sawdust has been done as the nanoparticles have been stabilized in polyvinyl alcohol medium which makes a negative surface of the nanoparticles resulting to repulsed by the non-cationized sawdust surface. The physicochemical, morphological, mechanical, thermal properties along with the biodegradability of the developed nanocomposites have been evaluated and the possible correlations have also been explained with straightforward approaches. The reinforcement performances for untreated sawdust composite, cationized sawdust composite, and copper impregnated sawdust nanocomposite increase ~ 30%, 91%, and 104%, respectively. Composite properties were investigated systematically by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, etc. The water uptake capacity of the developed composites has been followed by a typical Fickian diffusion behaviour. Throughout this work, the obtained nanocomposites may be a good alternative to wood especially for automobile, aeroplane, train and furniture industry as well as indoor to outdoor heavy-duty applications.