Effect of Maleic Anhydride on Kenaf Dust Filled Polycaprolactone/Thermoplastic Sago Starch Composites

Abstract

The utilization of biodegradable polymers for various applications has been restricted mainly by its high cost. This report aims to study the water absorption and mechanical properties of kenaf dust-filled polycaprolactone/thermoplastic sago starch biodegradable composites as a function of filler loading and treatment with maleic anhydride. While water absorption in untreated biocomposites increased as a function of filler loading, treated biocomposites resulted in weight loss, whereby low molecular weight substances were dissolved into the aging medium. The kenaf dust imparts reinforcing effects on the biocomposites, resulting in improved mechanical properties. This is further attested by morphological studies in which kenaf dust was well dispersed in the polycaprolactone/ thermoplastic sago starch blend matrix. The addition of maleic anhydride into the polycaprolactone/thermoplastic sago starch blend resulted in a homogeneous mixture. At low filler loading, strain at break of the maleated polycaprolactone/thermoplastic sago starch blend increased at the expense of tensile strength and modulus. This is most likely due to the excessive dicumyl peroxide content, which caused chain scission of the polycaprolactone backbone. Tensile strength and modulus improved only when high filler loading was employed.

Biocomposite Based on Polylactic Acid and Rice Straw for Food Packaging Products

“…When comparing cases with and without MA, it was observed that the addition of MA led to a reduction in water absorption. This can be attributed to the enhanced interfacial adhesion between RS and PLA, which limits the diffusion of water molecules into the composite [ 41 , 42 ]. The decrease in water absorption with the addition of MA may also be attributed to the cross-linking reaction of components.…”

Exploration on compatibilizing effect of nonionic, anionic, and cationic surfactants on mechanical, morphological, and chemical properties of high-density polyethylene/low-density polyethylene/cellulose biocomposites

“…24 Then, the torque started to drop again as the cellulose is well dispersed in the molten biocomposites. 3,25 The torque for HDPE/LDPE/cellulose biocomposite (PE/Cell) remained stable until the end of mixing time. Nevertheless, the torque started to exhibit its distinct behavior after the addition of surfactants into the biocomposites at the 6 min.…”

Biocomposites: Influence of Matrix Nature and Additives on the Properties and Biodegradation Behaviour

“…where R is alkoxy, X represents an organofunctionality, and R' is an alkyl bridge connecting the silicon atom and the organofunctionality [81].…”

“…Other works [81,82] also reported that in general the interaction of the silane coupling agent with vegetable fibers involves four steps: (i) hydrolysis of silane monomers in presence of water to yield reactive silanol (-Si-OH), (ii) self-condensation of silanol, (iii) The silanol monomers or oligomers are physically adsorbed to hydroxyl groups of fibers by hydrogen bonds on the fiber surfaces and/or in the cell walls. The free silanols also adsorb and may react with each other forming rigid polysiloxane structures linked with a stable -Si-O-Si-bond and (iv) grafting under heating conditions since the hydrogen bonds between the silanols and the hydroxyl groups of fibers can be converted into the covalent -Si-O-C-bonds and liberating water.…”