Effect of bamboo fibers with different coupling agents on the properties of poly(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐valerate) biocomposites

Abstract

Green biocomposites were prepared via injection molding with poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate) and natural bamboo fibers. Three types of coupling agents were used to modify the fibers, and the influence of different kinds of coupling agents was evaluated. The mechanical properties of the biocomposites varied with the type and content of the coupling agents. The water absorption and thermal properties of the composites were measured simultaneously after treatment with the coupling agents. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to analyze the principle of fiber treatment with different coupling agents. The mechanical properties of the composites markedly improved, whereas the water absorption decreased after modification. Treatment with coupling agents only slightly influences the thermal properties but improved the crystallinity of the composites. Therefore, the interfacial compatibility between the fiber and matrix was enhanced after modification, with the silane coupling agent exhibiting the best effect.

Reinforcing effect of nanocrystalline cellulose and office waste paper fibers on mechanical and thermal properties of poly (lactic acid) composites

“…Besides, the dramatically reduced PLA content in composites system also caused its thermal stability to decrease. 34 This effect was proved in previous studies 3 and is consistent with the conclusion of this study.…”

“…Biodegradable plastics are widely used and have numerous favorable performances, [1][2][3] such as, good degradability, chemical properties, and comparable mechanical properties compared with traditional plastics, 4 which causes biodegradable plastics usually to be employed as packaging materials, 5 medical field, 6 and so on. Amongst, Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) has drawn interest and is widely used in manufacturing due to its excellent biocompatibility, outstanding degradability, and easy processability.…”

Value-Added Use of Invasive Plant-Derived Fibers as PHBV Fillers for Biocomposite Development

“…Addition of the two invasive plant fibers both increased PHBV glass transition temperature (by up to 1.6 • C), decreased the melting temperature (by up to 3.6 • C), and decreased the crystallinity (by up to 6%), indicating that PHBV crystallization ability in the composites was confined. Similar effects of other plant fibers, such as bamboo fiber, pineapple leaf fiber, and kenaf fiber, on PHBV crystallization have been reported [63][64][65][66]. The addition of the fibers restricted the mobility of the PHBV molecular chains; restrained the chain diffusion to the surface of the nuclei [65,66]; and disordered the growth of the crystals, especially at the fiber-matrix interface, causing the discontinuous introduction in the crystal structure of the matrix [63] and the formation of imperfect (e.g., thinner) crystals, resulting in decreased melting temperature and degree of crystallinity [67].…”

Study on the mechanical and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid)/office waste paper fiber composites

“…[36] This result can be explained by that the coupling agent hardly affects the thermal properties of the main substance in the OWF-cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. [4] 4.5 | Differential scanning calorimetry Figure 6 shows the results of DSC, including the glass transition temperature (T g ), melting temperature (T m ), enthalpy (ΔH m ), crystallization temperature (T c ), and crystallinity (χ c ) of PLA and its composites.…”

“…Biodegradable green composites have emerged as the most high-potential substitute for petroleum matrix plastic to reduce concerns regarding the scarcity of oil resources and environmental pollution. [1][2][3][4] As biomass biodegradable plastic, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has drawn interest because of its excellent biocompatibility, outstanding transparency, and easy processability. [5] However, the application of PLA is limited by its disadvantages, including high brittleness, low degree of crystallization, and hydrophily.…”