Effect of compatibilizer on the properties of PBS/lignin composites prepared via a vane extruder

Abstract

Abstract Maleic anhydride (MAH) grafted polymers and silanes have been used as the compatibilizer in poly (butylene succinate)/lignin (PBS/lignin) composites. Compatibilized composites were fabricated by a novel vane extruder (VE). The effects of MAH grafted and coupling agent on the mechanical, thermal property, rheological property and water absorption of PBS/lignin were investigated. The results showed that the use of MAH grafted polymers and silanes resulted in significant improvements in flexural property, tensile modulus and tensile strength. Furthermore, MAH grafted polymers and silanes exhibited some improvement on the properties of vicat softening temperature as well as water absorption. The composites treated by MAH grafted polymers and silanes showed non-Newtonian behaviors from rheological tests. A better interfacial adhesion between lignin and matrix was observed from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the compatibilized composites.