Composites of poly(lactic acid) with flax fibers modified by interstitial polymerization

Abstract

Natural fiber composites were designed and optimized to achieve good mechanical properties and resistance to growth of living organisms. Composite materials were prepared from poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with flax fibers, which had been subjected to interstitial polymerization to replace the water in the cellulose fibers. Prior to the polymerization, the flax fibers were extracted with sodium hydroxide and acetone to remove lignin, pectin, and waxes from the cellulose. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to study the crystallization and melting of the composites compared to pure PLA. The surface wetting of the fibers and morphology of the composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy. Mechanical properties were studied using dynamic mechanical analysis. The influence of the interstitial polymerization on the dynamic storage modulus was found to be significant. The composites of polymerization treated flax with acetone washed fibers had higher storage moduli than the unwashed fiber composites, which suggested that the adhesion between the flax fibers and the matrix was improved by the treatments. The composites were subjected to moist environmental conditions in order to test for development of mold and fungi, and the acetone washed polymerization treated flax composites were resistant to these growths.

Preparation and analysis of poly(l‐lactic acid) composites with oligo(d‐lactic acid)‐grafted cellulose

“…With the growth of environmental awareness and as consequences a series of new policies, researchers are being forced to develop next‐generation materials on the basis of sustainability, ecoefficiency, and green chemistry to preserve and protect the environment . Biocomposites are a rapidly growing group of materials in which the fibers originate from nature and the matrix originates from a renewable resource . Because of its biodegradability and biocompatibility, poly( l ‐lactic acid) (PLLA) has generated great interest in the field of biocomposites and biomedicine, and many studies have been undertaken to broaden PLLA's properties for ecological and medical applications …”

“…1 Biocomposites are a rapidly growing group of materials in which the fibers originate from nature and the matrix originates from a renewable resource. [2][3][4][5][6] Because of its biodegradability and biocompatibility, poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) has generated great interest in the field of biocomposites and biomedicine, and many studies have been undertaken to broaden PLLA's properties for ecological and medical applications. [7][8][9][10][11] Cellulose is one of the most abundant biodegradable, renewable polymers found in nature.…”

Preparation and Characterization of Bioplastic-Based Green Renewable Composites from Tapioca with Acetyl Tributyl Citrate as a Plasticizer

“…The most effective approach to reduce the capital cost of PLA is to use fillers. Cost-effective reinforcements are organic renewable resources [6], flax [7,8,9], sisal [10], lyocell [11], short abaca [12], jute [13], bamboo [14], paper pulp [15,16], pineapple [17], Cordenka [18], microcrystalline cellulose [19], and kenaf [20]. Starch is attractive because of its low cost, renewability, biodegradability, low density and non-abrasiveness.…”

Electrokinetic Investigations of Oriented Cellulose Polymers

“…Besides their traditional use, natural cellulosic fibres, such as sisal, flax, jute and coir, have become of substantial interest in the manufacturing of fibre reinforced polymer composites. [1][2][3][4][5][6] These composites are attractive due to their low cost, availability, low density and biodegradability of the cellulosic components. [7] Regarding more classical applications, natural cellulose fibres, like cotton, have become the most popular textile fibres, due to trends in the last years to wear ecologically friendly materials.…”