Mechanochemical-assisted heterogeneous surface modification of parawood microcrystalline cellulose and its effect on the properties of polypropylene composites

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this work was to modify the surface of parawood sawdust (Hevea brasiliensis) microcrystalline cellulose (PW-MCC) used as reinforcing agent in polypropylene composites with benzoyl chloride under a mechanochemistry process.Design/methodology/approachThe acetylated PW-MCC was produced from heterogeneous condition using planetary ball mill process at a rotation speed of 400 rpm. Before the esterification reaction, PW-MCC was pre-treated with pyridine at 60°C for 1 h in order to penetrate and swell the cellulose structure. The optimum condition of esterified PW-MCC with various molar ratios of benzoyl chloride/anhydroglucose unit (AGU) was studied. The degree of substitution, functional group, thermal stability and morphology of esterified cellulose were characterized by1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).FindingsThe functional group from FTIR confirmed that PW-MCC was successfully esterified with benzoyl chloride. The optimum condition which gave the maximum degree of substitution at 3.00 was achieved by using benzoyl chloride/AGU at 5 for 1 h. SEM analysis revealed that the modified PW-MCC surface became rougher than the unmodified PW-MCC surface. The polypropylene composites with 5-30 wt% PW-MCC and esterified PW-MCC were prepared without compatibilizer.Originality/valueThe composites with esterified PW-MCC enhanced water resistance and thermal stability when compared to composites with PW-MCC.