Compatibilization of HDPE/agar biocomposites with eutectic-based ionic liquid containing surfactant

In this research, eutectic-based ionic liquid specifically choline chloride/glycerol was prepared at a 1:2 mole ratio. The choline chloride/glycerol was added with the different content of surfactant (hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide). The choline chloride/glycerol-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide was introduced into high-density polyethylene/agar biocomposites through melt mixing. The mechanical testing results indicated that the impact strength and tensile extension of the biocomposites increased with the introduction of the choline chloride/glycerol-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. The scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis results exhibited that significant decrease in the number of agar fillers pull-out, melting point and thermal decomposition temperatures of the biocomposites are also due to the choline chloride/glycerol-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. The Fourier transform infrared spectra and X-ray diffractometer patterns of the biocomposites introduced with the choline chloride/glycerol-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide demonstrate the presence of physical interactions, which contributes to the increase of compatibility between both high-density polyethylene and agar. In conclusion, high-density polyethylene/agar biocomposites could be compatibilized with eutectic-based ionic liquid containing surfactant, choline chloride/glycerol-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide.