Physico-mechanical properties of all-cellulose composites prepared by different approaches from micro-fibrillated bagasse pulp fibers

Abstract

The demand for environmentally friendly materials is rising due to rising environmental consciousness. So, this study adopted the manufacture of a new class of high-strength and biodegradable materials known as all–cellulose composites (ACC) and focused on three strategies to produce ACC. The first was independent of using solvent (non-solvent technique) at different pressing temperatures (120, 150, and 180 °C). The second was depended on the partial dissolution of the surface fibers (one-step technique) by immersion in Urea/NaOH solvent system for different times. The third one was depended on the complete dissolution of microcrystalline cellulose by Urea/NaOH solvent system and immersing of cellulose pad in this solution. In the second and third techniques, dissolved cellulose was regenerated. The characterizations were carried out using TEM, SEM, XRD, and TGA to determine the effect of processing conditions on cellulose fibers' morphological changes, crystallinity development, and ACC's thermal stability compared with blank cellulose fibers. The non-solvent ACC showed the highest mechanical properties, crystallinity, and thermal stability.