Amide wax-assisted interfacial compatibilization of maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene for high-performance wood-plastic composites

Abstract

ABSTRACT The interfacial compatibility between wood fibers and plastics is one of the key problems in the preparation of high-performance wood-plastic composites (WPCs). However, the current compatibilization strategy primarily relies on a single compatibilizer, but the resulting effect is less than ideal. In this study, the combination of maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene (MAPE) and amide wax (AW) was adopted for the synergistic compatibilization of WPCs. This approach enabled the high mobility of AW to fully penetrate the surfaces and voids of wood fibers, facilitating the interfacial migration of MAPE and resulting in strong compatibilization effects. The dual compatibilization mechanism was revealed based on the results of polarized light microscope (PLM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). As a consequence, the WPCs compatibilized by MAPE and AW compounds possessed better thermal stability, as well as slightly higher dynamic modulus and complex viscosity. The tensile strength and flexural strength of the WPCs reached to 55 and 45 MPa, increased by approximately 26% compared to the WPCs compatibilized by single MAPE. The dual compatibilization strategy can effectively solve poor interfacial adhesion of WPCs, enabling the preparation of high-performance and environmental-friendly WPCs, and also be readily extended to other composites.