Effect on Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Random Copolymer Polypropylene/Microcrystalline Cellulose Composites Using T-ZnOw as an Additive

Abstract

Four-needle zinc oxide whisker (T-ZnOw) incorporated into microcrystalline cellulose/maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene/random copolymer polypropylene (MCC/PP-g-MA/rPP) composite was prepared by melt blending. 5 wt% PP-g-MA was used as a coupling agent to improve the interfacial compatibility between fillers and rPP. The effect of T-ZnOw on MCC/PP-g-MA/rPP composite was investigated by mechanical testing, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Addition of T-ZnOw enhanced the mechanical properties of composites with tensile and flexural strengths increasing by 10% and 6%, respectively. SEM studies showed an improvement in the compatibility of fracture surfaces, which was evident from the absence of gaps between fillers and rPP. Additionally, initial thermal decomposition temperature and maximum weight loss temperature of T-ZnOw/MCC/PP-g-MA/rPP composite were both higher than those of MCC/PP-g-MA/rPP composite. Thermal degradation kinetics suggested that T-ZnOw has a weak catalytic effect on MCC, resulting in the early degradation of MCC and adhesion to the surface of rPP. Because of the presence of inorganic whiskers, the remaining weight percent was more than that of other composites at the end of the reaction. Crystallization temperature of the T-ZnOw/MCC/PP-g-MA/rPP composite was almost 3~5°C higher than that of MCC/PP-g-MA/rPP composite and close to the crystallization temperature of pure rPP.

Hollow MXene Sphere-Based Flexible E-Skin for Multiplex Tactile Detection

“…Capacitive pressure sensors, as one main type of tactile devices, typically monitor the external force stimulation by changing the distance between the upper and lower parallel plates. − Considerable research effort has been devoted to the development of capacitive pressure sensors, especially in terms of material studies, as materials remarkably affect the performance of the dielectric effect. , Tetrapod-like ZnO whiskers (T-ZnOws) are a single-crystal fiber with a regular 3D spatial structure. , Their spatial structure consists of a regular tetrahedron, in which the angle between any two needles is about 109.5°. Generally, adding T-ZnOw as an additive to other matrix materials will make the material have not only isotropic characteristics but also excellent properties. , …”

“…15,41 Tetrapod-like ZnO whiskers (T-ZnOws) are a single-crystal fiber with a regular 3D spatial structure. 42,43 Their spatial structure consists of a regular tetrahedron, in which the angle between any two needles is about 109.5°. Generally, adding T-ZnOw as an additive to other matrix materials will make the material have not only isotropic characteristics but also excellent properties.…”

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“…Cellulose has been considered as an excellent polymer due to its notable mechanical properties and crystallinity (60%–80%) [26]. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a significant biodegradable biopolymer [27].…”