Surface Modification of PET Fiber with Hybrid Coating and Its Effect on the Properties of PP Composites

Abstract

Surface modification fundamentally influences the morphology of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers produced from abandoned polyester textiles and improve the compatibility between the fiber and the matrix. In this study, PET fiber was modified through solution dip-coating using a novel synthesized tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS)/KH550/ polypropylene (PP)-g-MAH (MPP) hybrid (TMPP). The PET fiber with TMPP modifier was exposed to the air. SiO2 particles would be hydrolyzed from TEOS and become the crystalline cores of MPP. Then, the membrane formed by MPP, SiO2 and KH550 covered the surface of the PET fiber. TMPP powder was investigated and characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TMPP-modified PET fiber was researched by X-ray diffraction and SEM. Furthermore, tensile strength of single fiber was also tested. PET fiber/PP composites were studied through dynamic mechanical analysis and SEM. Flexural properties of composites were also measured. The interfacial properties of PET fiber and PP matrix were indirectly represented by contact angle analysis. Results showed that the addition of TEOS is helpful in homogenizing the distribution of PP-g-MAH. Furthermore, TMPP generates an organic-inorganic ‘armor’ structure on PET fiber, which can make up for the damage areas on the surface of PET fiber and strengthen each single-fiber by 14.4%. Besides, bending strength and modulus of TMPP-modified PET fiber-reinforced PP composite respectively, increase by 10 and 800 MPa. The compatibility between PET fiber and PP was also confirmed to be increased by TMPP. Predictably, this work supplied a new way for PET fiber modification and exploited its potential applications in composites.

Recycled Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) from Waste Textiles with Improved Thermal and Rheological Properties by Chain Extension

“…A large amount of waste polyester fabrics not only causes a waste of resources, but it also leads to a greater impact on the environment [9][10][11][12][13]. Therefore, the recycling and reuse of waste polyester fabrics is highly desired [14,15].…”

PMMA-Grafted Calcium Sulfate Whiskers for Applications as Fillers in PVC

“…The dispersion of the fillers can be improved via surface modification of the inorganic particles by increasing the surface tension and roughness of the particles or changing their surface chemical properties to improve the adhesion between the particles and the matrix [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. For example, Yang et al [ 21 ] modified nanostructured calcium carbonate (nano-CaCO 3 ) with γ-(2,3-epoxypropyloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (KH560), 3-(methacryloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane (KH570), or isopropyl dioleoyloxy(dioctyl phosphate acyloxy) titanate.…”

Improved properties of PTFE composites filled with glass fiber modified by sol–gel method

“…The sol-gel method [16][17][18][19][20] is a reliable method to coat organic-inorganic hybrid layers on the ber surface to improve its compatibility with the polymer matrix. In our previous work [20], tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) used as the silicon source connected the silane coupling agent KH550 and polypropylene PP-g-MAH (MPP) to modify the surface of PET ber by sol-gel method. A layer of organicinorganic hybrid lm was formed on the surface of PET ber.…”