Abstract
Surface modification and characterization of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and their roles in thermal, mechanical, and accelerated aging behavior of foamed wheat straw fiber/polypropylene (PP) composites are investigated. To improve the dispersion of nanoparticles and increase the possible interactions between wheat straw fiber and the PP matrix, the surface of the TiO2 nanoparticles was modified with ethenyltrimethoxy silane (A171), a silane coupling agent. The grafting of A171 on the TiO2 nanoparticles’ surface was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The wheat straw fibers treated with A171 and modified TiO2 nanoparticles were characterized by FTIR and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FTIR spectra confirmed that the organic functional groups of A171 were successfully grafted onto the TiO2 nanoparticles and wheat straw fibers, and the modified TiO2 nanoparticles were adsorbed onto the wheat straw fibers. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that a higher thermal stability of the wheat straw fiber was obtained with the modified TiO2 nanoparticles. The flexural, tensile, and impact properties were improved. A higher ultraviolet (UV) stability of the samples treated with modified TiO2 nanoparticles was exhibited by the study of the color change and loss in mechanical properties.
Highlights
Most agricultural residues are currently burned off in the field
TiO2 nanoparticles modified by A171 were used as the active fillers for foamed wheat straw fiber/PP composites imparting an anti-UV performance to the materials
Thermogravimetric analysis showed that a higher thermal stability was achieved for the wheat straw fiber treated with modified TiO2 nanoparticles
Summary
Most agricultural residues are currently burned off in the field. The burning off of wheat straw and other agricultural residues is responsible for a series of environmental problems, and for the sustainable development of precious resources. Many studies have been carried out on composite panels produced using various agricultural residues and plastic [1,2,3]. Similar to WPC, AFPC can be extensively used for furniture, packaging, transportation, decorative materials, and so forth. Several deficiencies, such as low strength-to-weight ratio, poor toughness, weak brittleness, and inconvenience of installation, have limited the application of AFPC [4]
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