Abstract
The objective of this research was to use inverse gas chromatography (IGC) to infer fiber–matrix interactions for predicting practical adhesion between cellulose fibers and polystyrene matrix polymer. IGC experiments were performed on polystyrene, untreated, alkyl- and amino-silanated cellulose (lyocell) fibers. The fiber–matrix acid–base interaction was quantified by (1) pairing the acidic parameter (K A) of one component with the basic parameter (K B) of another component and (2) observing the adsorption enthalpy of the polymer building blocks (ethylbenzene) onto the fibers. Results show that the cellulose/polystyrene acid–base interaction inferred from interaction parameters is closely correlated to that evaluated from the specific adsorption of ethylbenzene. This feature indicates that the acid–base interactions, which play an important role in the adhesion between fibers and polystyrene, can be conveniently predicted from their respective acid and base parameters (K Aand K B) prior to composites' manufacture. A specific implication of this study is that treatment with an aminosilane is likely to improve interaction and, hence, bonding with polystyrene in a composite system. Treatment with alkylsilane, on the other hand, would result in a weak interaction with polystyrene. These predictions will be verified in future studies which will correlate materials interactions with interfacial micromechanics in the resulting micro-composites.
Published Version
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