Investigating the characteristics of a natural fiber composite fabricated from 9,9′-bis(aryl)fluorene-modified nanocellulose and bamboo fiber

Abstract

A composite fabricated from 9,9′-bis(aryl)fluorene-modified nanocellulose (FCF) and bamboo fiber was studied to explore its processing conditions and limitations. The FCF acted as a binding agent, and bamboo fibers were used as structural reinforcement. Two types of FCF were fabricated and studied: hydroxy and epoxy functional groups with FCF. The FCF solution was homogenized and coated on bamboo fiber sheets. These sheets were laminated with FCF by hot-pressing at various temperatures, pressures, and weight fractions. Flexural modulus and strength were determined at each processing condition. Epoxy type FCF composites exhibited superior flexural performance compared to the hydroxy type. The epoxy type showed better homogeneous dispersion, which increased interfacial area between fibers. The optimal processing temperature was 230 °C. It was considered that thermal degradation occurred above 250 °C and chemical reaction between binder and bamboo was not enough below 210 °C. Flexural performance in the composites showed that approximately 10 MPa was structurally better due to increase of contact area among fibers, which was crushed flat by pressure.