Polyvinyl alcohol‐modified Pithecellobium Clypearia Benth herbal residue fiber/polypropylene composites

Abstract

Pithecellobium Clypearia Benth herbal residues (PHRs) were pretreated by steam explosion to produce PHR fibers (PHRFs) that were subsequently co‐steam explosion modified with various molecular weight of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). High value use of PHRs was realized when the unmodified PHRFs and modified PHRFs were used to reinforce polypropylene (PP). The component and structural changes of PHRFs, as well as the mechanism of PVA action during co‐steam explosion, were analyzed. The effect of the PVA co‐steam explosion on the mechanical properties, water absorption and interfacial properties of PHRF/PP composites were also studied as a function of PVA molecular weight. Relative to unmodified‐PHRF/PP composites, the mechanical and interfacial properties were improved, while water absorption was almost unchanged, for composites containing PHRFs modified by PVA co‐steam explosion. This was because PVA had been grafted on to the PHRFs during the co‐steam explosion. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:915–924, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers