Enhancing the mechanical performance of surface-modified microcrystalline cellulose reinforced high-density polyethylene composites

Abstract

The microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was successfully modified with a poly(ethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate) copolymer (PEGMA) to be constructed the PEGMA anchored MCC (PEGMA-a-MCC). The chemical modification of the pristine MCC surface was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. And then, the pristine MCC and PEGMA-a-MCC were successfully incorporated into the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix by typical melt-mixing technique. When applied the PEGMA-a-MCC, interfacial adhesion performance between the cellulosic filler and HDPE matrix showed better and stronger than the pristine MCC. From the results of thermal behaviors and mechanical properties of the composites, it was possible to achieve enhanced their mechanical properties without change of thermal characteristics of HDPE matrix.