Preparation and characteristics of composites of high‐crystalline cellulose with polypropylene: Effects of maleated polypropylene and cellulose content

Abstract

Binary composites of high-crystalline fibrous cellulose with polypropylene (PP) or maleic anhydridegrafted polypropylene (MAPP) were prepared by melt-mixing with different contents of cellulose from 0 to 60 wt %. Ternary composites of cellulose with PP and MAPP were also prepared to investigate the effects of MAPP as a compatibilizer between cellulose and PP. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the addition of MAPP generates strong interactions between a PP matrix and cellulose fibers: All cellulose fibers are encapsulated by layers of the matrix and connected tightly within the matrix. Thus, the tensile strength and Young's modulus of MAPP-containing composites increase with an increase in MAPP and cellulose content, in contrast to the decrease in tensile strength of a PP-based binary composite with an increase in cellulose.Cellulose fibers act as a nucleating agent for the crystallization of PP, which is promoted by the addition of MAPP through an increase of the crystallization temperature of PP in the composite. Accordingly, both cellulose and MAPP facilitate the thermooxidative stability of PP composites in the following order: MAPP/cellulose Ͼ PP/MAPP/cellulose Ͼ PP/cellulose Ͼ PP. Relative water absorption increases with an increase in cellulose content, decreasing with the addition of MAPP. MAPP-containing cellulose composites have high potential for applications as environmentally friendly materials.

Blue-Agave Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites for Automotive Applications

“…Niska and Sain (2008) and Qiu et al (2003) experienced similar improvements to the tensile strength after the addition of 2 wt.% PPgMA to 50% wood flour-PP composites, and the addition of PPgMA to high-crystalline fibrous cellulose-PP composites, respectively. It has been shown that PPgMA forms covalent linkages between maleic anhydride groups and hydroxyl groups on the cellulosic portions of natural fibers (Hedenberg and Gatenholm 1995).…”

Effect of natural ageing on the properties of recycled polypropylene/ethylene vinyl acetate/wood flour composites

“…With the chain scissions, a release of chain segments in amorphous region that not crystallized during the original solidification process. These segments can rearrange into a crystalline phase if they have sufficient mobility, which is called chemo-crystallization [23]. The literature reported the occurrence of this phenomenon when the polypropylene (PP) is subjected to photo-degradation [22].…”

Characterisation of low-odour emissive polylactide/cellulose fibre biocomposites for car interior

“…25%, was found by Bax and Müssig [32] for PLLA with 10 wt% of flax fibres. Hence, the incorporation of fillers in polymer matrix increases its stiffness by restraining the chain movement and because of the high stiffness of cellulose [59]. The Charpy impact strength values of neat PLA and PLA-based biocomposite are reported in Table 4.…”