Effect of Radiation Crosslinking and Surface Modification of Cellulose Fibers on Properties and Characterization of Biopolymer Composites.

Petr Lenfeld,Jiří Habr,Pavel Brdlík,Martin Borůvka,Luboš Běhálek

doi:10.3390/polym12123006

Petr Lenfeld, Jiří Habr + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12123006

Copy DOI

Journal: Polymers	Publication Date: Dec 16, 2020
Citations: 12	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Technical University of Liberec

Abstract

Recently, polymers have become the fastest growing and most widely used material in a huge number of applications in almost all areas of industry. In addition to standard polymer composites with synthetic matrices, biopolymer composites based on PLA and PHB matrices filled with fibers of plant origin are now increasingly being used in selected advanced industrial applications. The article deals with the evaluation of the influence and effect of the type of surface modification of cellulose fibers using physical methods (low-temperature plasma and ozone application) and chemical methods (acetylation) on the final properties of biopolymer composites. In addition to the surface modification of natural fibers, an additional modification of biocomposite structural systems by radiation crosslinking using gamma radiation was also used. The components of the biopolymer composite were a matrix of PLA and PHBV and the filler was natural cellulose fibers in a constant percentage volume of 20%. Test specimens were made from compounds of prepared biopolymer structures, on which selected tests had been performed to evaluate the properties and mechanical characterization of biopolymer composites. Electron microscopy was used to evaluate the failure and characterization of fracture surfaces of biocomposites.

Highlights

Polymers and their composites are currently among the most progressively developing materials and there can be no doubt that they are key to modern technical society
Research into these materials has focused on highly durable synthetic composites, and on renewable and sustainable natural materials [1]. This trend responds to the global problem of growing plastic waste, which is stimulated by the growing awareness of consumers, producers and governments
Polymer composites with a biopolymer matrix are increasingly used in practice, and it is very important to have knowledge about composite structures in relation to the possibilities of additional modification of biocomposites as a whole, or in relation to surface modification of the natural filler

Summary

Introduction

Polymers and their composites are currently among the most progressively developing materials and there can be no doubt that they are key to modern technical society. Research into these materials has focused on highly durable synthetic composites, and on renewable and sustainable natural materials [1]. This trend responds to the global problem of growing plastic waste, which is stimulated by the growing awareness of consumers, producers and governments. The primary disadvantage of composite materials is the fact that two different components of the system make their reuse or recycling considerably complicated [4] Another disadvantage, especially when using traditional reinforcements based on glass, carbon and aramid fibers, is the high energy intensity of their production [5].

Methods

Results

Conclusion