Effect of radiation on surface morphology, mechanical and dynamic properties of sugarcane bagasse‐recycled expanded polystyrene based on silica nanoparticles

Abstract The influence of silica levels and gamma irradiation exposure on static and dynamic mechanical characteristics of recycled expanded polystyrene (rEPS) /sugarcane bagasse fibers (BF) nanocomposite was examined. The silica (SiO 2 NPs) nanoparticles were incorporated at varying loading levels of 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 parts per hundred of plastic (php) and subjected to two doses of γ‐irradiation (100 and 200 kGy). Infrared spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction, surface morphology, and energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy analyses were conducted to examine the prepared SiO 2 NPs. The incorporation of SiO 2 NPs within rEPS/BF (10 php of BF as constant content) nanocomposites and exposure to radiation up to 100 kGy led to significant improvement in tensile strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, and storage modulus. The nanocomposite loaded with 7.5 php of SiO 2 NPs and subjected to 100 kGy exhibited the greatest tensile strength, showing a 170% enhancement relative to the unirradiated sample. SEM analysis confirmed that the filler was well‐distributed throughout the polymer matrix upon irradiation. These findings indicate that the resultant nanocomposite may be beneficial for advanced industrial applications because of its enhanced physico‐mechanical characteristics. Highlights Composites utilizing rEPS and BF were created. The addition of SiO 2 NPs enhanced the static and dynamic mechanical characteristics. SiO 2 NPs and γ‐irradiation improved the tensile strength of rEPS/BF nanocomposite. The DMA of rEPS/BF nanocomposites was enhanced by both SiO 2 NPs and γ‐irradiation.