Organic Solvents Transport Through Alkali-Treated Agro-waste Microfibre Incorporated with Low Density Polyethylene Composites

We report the transport behaviour of low density polyethylene composites containing both untreated and alkali-treated agro-waste microfibre in three aromatic organic solvents (benzene, toluene, and xylene) at 40, 60 and 80°C by the conventional weight-gain method. The effects of fibre content, alkali treatment, and filler particle size on solvent sorption were analysed. Transport parameters such as diffusion coefficient, sorption coefficient, and permeation coefficient have been calculated in terms of microfibre content, particle size, nature of the solvent, and temperature. It was observed that all the systems follow the Fickian mode of transport on increasing temperature. The van’t Hoff’s relationship was used to determine the thermodynamic parameters and was found that the estimated free energies of sorption were all positive, indicating non-spontaneity of the solubility of micro fibre/LDPE composites. The first order kinetic rate constant and swelling parameters were also evaluated.