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THESIS - ROC CH ... - FINAL - resubmission.pdf - University of Guelph

THESIS - ROC CH ... - FINAL - resubmission.pdf - University of Guelph

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Elongation at break (%)<br />

190<br />

170<br />

150<br />

130<br />

110<br />

90<br />

70<br />

50<br />

Figure 7.8: Elongation <strong>of</strong> SPI films blended with cellulose (F), TiO2 (Ti), and cellulose<br />

compatibilized with TiO2 (TiF)<br />

43% RH 58% RH<br />

84% RH<br />

0 0.5 1<br />

Concentration (%w/wSPI)<br />

0 0.5 1<br />

Concentration (%w/wSPI)<br />

Young’s modulus <strong>of</strong> the blend films reveal a decreasing trend with increasing RH as<br />

expected (Figure 7.9). For treatment effects, the addition <strong>of</strong> fiber and TiO2 separately yielded<br />

insignificant results. However, optimal concentration <strong>of</strong> 0.25% w/w TIO2/SPI was still found to be<br />

consistent for TiO2 at 84% RH. For TiF samples, a direct positive correlation between<br />

concentration and elasticity was not observed. However, the optimal concentration resulting with<br />

the greatest average modulus was at 1% w/wSPI consistent with tensile strength results.<br />

Further addition <strong>of</strong> TiO2-coupled fibers beyond 1% may prove to be beneficial.<br />

104<br />

0 0.5 1<br />

Concentration (%w/wSPI)<br />

F<br />

Ti<br />

TiF

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