Direct milling: Efficient, facile, and green method for processing fibrillated cellulose/polymeric nanocomposites with boosted thermomechanical and rheological performance

Jalaee, Adel; Kamkar, Milad; French, Victoria; Rojas, Orlando J.; Foster, E. Johan

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.120932

Cited by 9 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…This restriction in chain mobility can result in a reduction in the overall crystallinity of the polymer matrix. 6,22,33 It is worth noting that the results presented in Table 2 demonstrate an increase in the degree of crystallinity with the addition of PFs. This observation aligns with the findings supporting the notion that pulp fibers effectively act as nucleating agents.…”

Section: Premixing Ball Milling With the Optimizedmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…As illustrated by the thermogravimetric curves in Figure 2a, the neat polymeric matrices displayed a degradation profile with a single major weight loss observed at 450 °C, which can be attributed to the degradation of the polymeric backbone. 6,22 PA6-based composites exhibit two distinct degradation stages: (i) a minor weight reduction attributed to water vaporization, commencing at around 100 °C, linked to the hydrophilic properties of PA6 and the humidity of PFs, and (ii) a main weight reduction phase, occurring between 340 and 460 °C, connected to the thermal degradation of the main chain of PA6 and cellulose, as observed in the PFs' thermograms. 6 Furthermore, the weight loss in this phase corresponds to the different reinforcement loads of the fibers.…”

Section: Premixing Ball Milling With the Optimizedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to our previous paper, this observation can be attributed to the thermal buffering effect resulting from the embedding of PFs in PA6 particles. 6 In other words, premixing using ball milling employs collisions between ball bearings to mechanically fuse PFs and polymeric particles in the solid state. 26 3.3.…”

Section: Premixing Ball Milling With the Optimizedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Following this, the composite material undergoes the final stages of polymer processing. 6,10,11 In addition to improving the thermal stability of pulp fibers, this process increases the homogeneous dispersion of the fibers within the polymer matrix and increases the surface area of the fibers, which improves the adhesion between the fibers and the polymer matrix. 6 Careful forethought and meticulous fabrication strategies are necessary to get high-performance composites out of the sequential ball milling method.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…6,10,11 In addition to improving the thermal stability of pulp fibers, this process increases the homogeneous dispersion of the fibers within the polymer matrix and increases the surface area of the fibers, which improves the adhesion between the fibers and the polymer matrix. 6 Careful forethought and meticulous fabrication strategies are necessary to get high-performance composites out of the sequential ball milling method. In other words, the ball milling parameters including milling time, ball size, ball-to-powder ratio, and milling speed heavily impact the performance of the composite.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Improvement in the Thermomechanical Properties and Adhesion of Wood Fibers to the Polyamide 6 Matrix by Sequential Ball Milling Technique

Jalaee,

Foster

2023

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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The engineering thermoplastics industry has largely limited the use of natural fiber reinforcements due to their susceptibility to low-onset thermal degradation and water absorption. Therefore, in order to utilize these economically viable and environmentally friendly materials effectively through common composite fabrication methods such as hot pressing, safeguarding them from thermal degradation becomes essential. This work presents a viable industrially technique called sequential ball milling for processing unbleached softwood kraft pulp fibers (PF) with an engineering thermoplastics polyamide 6 (PA6) with high melting temperatures (>220 °C). An additional eco-friendly modification step that employs ball milling and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) has been implemented in this study to enhance the mechanical properties of the composites. Special attention is given to fine-tuning key variables, such as milling duration and PF particle size, to produce optimal composites. Leveraging the ability of sequential ball milling to evenly distribute pulp fibers into PA6, a 160% increase in Young's modulus was achieved with the incorporation of 30 wt % PF. Importantly, the introduction of a 5 wt % CNC modifying agent elevated Young's modulus to 4.3 GPa, marking a 187% improvement over unmodified PA6. Diverse techniques, including rheological analyses, thermomechanical evaluations, morphological examinations, and assessments of moisture absorption, were utilized to validate the efficiency of the suggested processing approach and the modification phase.

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Section: Premixing Ball Milling With the Optimizedmentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Premixing Ball Milling With the Optimizedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Premixing Ball Milling With the Optimizedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Improvement in the Thermomechanical Properties and Adhesion of Wood Fibers to the Polyamide 6 Matrix by Sequential Ball Milling Technique

Jalaee,

Foster

2023

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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Synthesis and properties of transparent PMMA/cellulose nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization in green solvent

Sušac,

Vidović,

Vrsaljko

et al. 2024

Polymer Composites

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In order to contribute to the demanded sustainability transparent poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) up to high shares of 50 wt% were prepared by in situ radical polymerization in green solvent Cyrene. The weight average molecular weights of PMMA were in the range from 144,000 to 160,000 g mol−1 and the dispersity was in the range of 1.49 to 1.89 with high conversion of monomer to polymer. The DSC thermal analysis showed that the glass transition temperature of pure PMMA was at 99°C while in composites increased from 103°C up to 129°C with the increase of CNC from 1 wt% to 50 wt%. TGA shows that the addition of CNC does not have a significant effect on the thermal stability of PMMA. In composites Young's modulus increases with the increasing CNC ratio and composites with 50 wt% of CNC showed more than twice the modulus of the PMMA matrix. The SEM images indicate uniform distribution of CNC in polymer matrix. The transparent and semitransparent PMMA/cellulose composites of improved sustainability with higher modulus of elasticity and glass transition temperature can be used as lightweight materials for a wide range of technical and everyday applications as well as optical lenses or acoustic lenses for ultrasound transducers and other devices.Highlights Cellulose nanocrystals/PMMA composites fabricated by a green in situ process. Synthesized PMMA matrices have high molecular weights. Improved elastic modulus and glass transition temperature were achieved. Prioritizing eco‐friendly chemicals for a greener production approach.

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Improved thermomechanical and rheological properties of polypropylene composites with thermomechanical pulp for injection molding

Jalaee,

Trottman,

French

et al. 2024

Polymer Composites

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Material extrusion and injection molding are prevalent in polymer processing, but wood fiber‐reinforced polymer composites offer eco‐friendly alternatives for industries like automotive, and aviation. Our study explores biocomposites using bleached chemi‐thermomechanical pulp (BCTMP) and polypropylene (PP). BCTMP is rich in cellulose and hemicellulose and quite hydrophilic, while PP's hydrophobic structure creates a disconnect to creating a composite of the two. Traditional methods add costly coupling agents like maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) in an attempt to enhance the adhesion properties of wood‐plastic composites. However, it is worth noting that even in the presence of MAPP, PP maintains its high hydrophobicity and low surface energy, despite exhibiting considerable heterogeneity. Further complexity arises from the thermal degradation characteristics of BCTMP during the melting processing of PP. Our proposed method involves premixing via cryo and planetary ball milling. This boosts PP and BCTMP adhesion, enhancing dispersion quality and mechanical properties without needing coupling agents. Moreover, the premixing of BCTMP and PP forms a thermal buffer layer around BCTMP, minimizing its thermal degradation during processing. This process also ensures even distribution of BCTMP into PP, resulting in a 200% rise in Young's modulus with 30 wt% BCTMP without compromising ultimate tensile strength.Highlights Exploration of biocomposites using bleached chemi‐thermomechanical pulp (BCTMP) and polypropylene (PP) thorough injection molding Implementation of premixing to enhance PP/BCTMP adhesion without coupling agents Premixing reduces thermal degradation of BCTMP, enhances dispersion, and improves mechanical properties Achieving a 200% increase in Young's modulus with 30% BCTMP incorporation, while maintaining ultimate tensile strength

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Direct milling: Efficient, facile, and green method for processing fibrillated cellulose/polymeric nanocomposites with boosted thermomechanical and rheological performance

Cited by 9 publications

References 37 publications

Improvement in the Thermomechanical Properties and Adhesion of Wood Fibers to the Polyamide 6 Matrix by Sequential Ball Milling Technique

Improvement in the Thermomechanical Properties and Adhesion of Wood Fibers to the Polyamide 6 Matrix by Sequential Ball Milling Technique

Synthesis and properties of transparent PMMA/cellulose nanocomposites prepared by in situ polymerization in green solvent

Improved thermomechanical and rheological properties of polypropylene composites with thermomechanical pulp for injection molding

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