Abstract
The surface properties of wood fiber (WF) filled polymer composites depend on the filler loading and are closely related to the distribution and orientation in the polymer matrix. In this study, wood fibers (WF) were incorporated into thermoplastic composites based on non-recycled polypropylene (PP) and recycled (R-PP) composites by melt compounding and injection moulding. ATR-FTIR (attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) measurements clearly showed the propagation of WF functional groups at the surface layer of WF-PP/WF-R-PP composites preferentially with WF loading up to 30%. Optical microscopy and nanoindentation method confirmed the alignment of thinner skin layer of WF-PP/WF-R-PP composites with increasing WF addition. The thickness of the skin layer was mainly influenced by the WF loading. The effect of the addition of WF on modulus and hardness, at least at 30 and 40 wt.%, varies for PP and R-PP matrix. On the other hand, surface zeta potential measurements show increased hydrophilicity with increasing amounts of WF. Moreover, WF in PP/R-PP matrix is also responsible for the antioxidant properties of these composites as measured by DPPH (2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay.
Highlights
The invention of the first plastics took place in the 19th century, and the development of new plastics continues
The results show that the antioxidant activity of wood fibers (WF)-PP and WF-Recycled Polypropylene (R-PP) composites increase with increasing WF loading, which is expected since wood Polymers 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIiEsWan antioxidant component
The relationship between WF loading to PP/R-PP with increased distribution of the well-known phenomena of skin layer thickness of WF–PP/WF-R-PP composites was highlighted
Summary
The invention of the first plastics took place in the 19th century, and the development of new plastics continues. Nowadays, the polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers are becoming increasingly important for the production of a wide range of engineering materials because they are relatively cheap, lightweight and environmentally friendly [23]. Our research focuses on the preparation of WF thermoplastic polymer composites with the same improved properties but without chemical pretreatment of the WF or incorporation of polymeric/inorganic additives. The production of such WF-polymer composites is referred to as “green production”, as sustainable and biodegradable materials are used that have a positive impact on the environment
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