Mechanical, physical and tribological characterization of nano-cellulose fibers reinforced bio-epoxy composites: An attempt to fabricate and scale the ‘Green’ composite

Abstract

The development of bio-based composites is essential in order to protect the environment while enhancing energy efficiencies. In the present investigation, the plant-derived cellulose nano-fibers (CNFs)/bio-based epoxy composites were manufactured using the Liquid Composite Molding (LCM) process. More specifically, the CNFs with and without chemical modification were utilized in the composites. The curing kinetics of the prepared composites was studied using both the isothermal and dynamic Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) methods. The microstructure as well as the mechanical and tribological properties were investigated on the cured composites in order to understand the structure-property correlations of the composites. The results indicated that the manufactured composites showed improved mechanical and tribological properties when compared to the pure epoxy samples. Furthermore, the chemically modified CNFs reinforced composites outperformed the untreated composites. The surface modification of the fibers improved the curing of the resin by reducing the activation energy, and led to an improvement in the mechanical properties. The CNFs/bio-based epoxy composites form uniform tribo-layer during sliding which minimizes the direct contact between surfaces, thus reducing both the friction and wear of the composites.

Poly(vinyl alcohol)–lignin blended resin for cellulose‐based composites

“…Because it has a high specific mechanical strength and a stiffness close to that of steel, nanocellulose has a high feasibility for being used in ultrastrong, lightweight structural materials . Because of dimensional limitations, however, nanocellulose is normally used as fillers for polymer composites . In recent years, nanocellulose‐based long fibers have been investigated to overcome the dimensional limitations of nanocellulose …”

Nanocellulose reinforced as green agent in polymer matrix composites applications

“…For example, silynation of NC reduces the brittleness of the composites due to the complete infusion of NC preform. In another case, NC functionalized with Pluronic creates the hydrophilic tails of surfactant hydrogen bond with hydroxyl and carboxylic group of NC, whereby the hydrophobic part can interact with the epoxy, resulting in better interfacial interactions between the NC and epoxy matrix . This resulted in better NC coverage, while the reinforcement effect became more significant at higher temperatures.…”

Nanocellulose as a green and sustainable emerging material in energy applications: a review

“…However, even when bacterial‐nanocellulose‐reinforced epoxy has a lower nanocellulose loading, the tensile strength of the resulting bacterial‐cellulose‐reinforced epoxy was slightly greater than that of the NCC . This is attributed to the high intrinsic strength and critical surface energy of bacterial cellulose of up to 57 mN m −1 as compared to NCC (42 mN m −1 ), which led to better wetting of bacterial cellulose within the epoxy matrix.…”