Inspecting the properties of polypropylene/ poplar wood flour composites with microcrystalline cellulose and starch powder addition

Abstract

Biocomposites composed of polypropylene (PP) poplar wood flour (WF) (0% and 20%), microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) (0%, 2%, and 6%), and starch powder (SP) (0%, 5%, and 10%) were examined. The mechanical, physical, biodegradability, and morphological properties were assessed. The mechanical properties, water absorption (WA), thickness swelling (TS), and biodegradability were improved by adding WF to PP. By increasing MCC and SP, the composite modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), tensile modulus, WA, TS, and biodegradability increased. The tensile strength increased by increasing MCC, while the opposite was true for SP. An increase in WA and TS of composite, would decrease static contact angle. The morphological studies indicated that by adding MCC and SP, the composite stress transfer and distribution ability and structural bonding of the composite improved. By increasing the biodegradability and reducing the sample weights, the extent of surface degradability increased.