The use of organically modified clays as nano-reinforcement in polymer matrices is widely investigated owing to their remarkable reinforcement at low filler loading. In this body of work, the nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending nanoclay with polyamide 11 (PA 11) utilising a twin-screw extruder in order to maximise the dispersion of clay particles within the matrix during compounding. The main aim of the work was to study the reinforcing effect of nanoclay within PA 11 using two micromechanical model namely Halpin-Tsai and Mori-Tanaka composite theories. These theories were used to predict the effective tensile modulus of PA 11 nanocomposites and the results were compared to the experimental data. In addition, the Halpin-Tsai model was used to predict the storage modulus and heat distortion temperature (HDT) of PA 11 nanocomposites. It was found that the tensile modulus for nanocomposites with a high clay aspect ratio exhibits up to 10% higher when compared to the nanocomposites with lower clay aspect ratio. Thus, it is believed that the combination of clay aspect ratio and modulus contributes to the super reinforcing effect of nanoclay within the PA 11 matrix.
The present study is aimed to access the growth rates, biomass productivity and nutrient removal in different concentrations of microalgae Botryococcus sp. beads using kitchen wastewater as a media. Verhulst logistic kinetic model was used to measure the optimal concentrations of microalgae Botryococcus sp. in kitchen wastewater in terms of cell growth rate kinetics and biomass productivity. The study verified that the maximum productivity was recorded with 1×106 cell/ml of the initial concentration of Botryococcus sp. with 42.64 mg/l/day and the highest removal of TP and ammonia was obtained (78.14% and 60.53% respectively). The highest specific growth rate of biomass at 0.2896 μmax/d compare to other concentrations, while the lowest occurred at concentrations of 105 cells/ml at 0.0412 μmax/d. The present study shows the different concentrations of Botryococcus sp. in alginate beads culturing in kitchen wastewater influence the cells growth of biomass and nutrient uptake with optimum concentration (106 cells/ml) of Botryococcus sp. which is suggested for wastewater treatment purposes. The result of scanning electron microscopy (sem) shows differences in morphology in terms of surface; smoother and cleaner (before the experiment), cracks and rough surface with black/white spots (after the experiment). These findings seemly can be applied efficiently in kitchen wastewater treatment as well as a production medium for microalgae biomass.
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