Preparation and Compressive Strength of PS/PF Biocomposites

Abstract

The peanut shell(PS)/phenolic formaldehyde(PF) resin biocomposites were prepared by condensation polymerization.Phenol and formaldehyde respectively dissolved in water in which peanut shell powder is suspended , were copolymerized at 90～950C with H2SO4 as catalyst , resulting in PS/PF biocomposites. It was observed that peanuts shell powder were uniformly dispersed in the biocomposites. Compressive strength of the biocomposites can reach 37.9 MPa, increased significantly comparing with that of phenolic resin obtained in the same conditions.SEM were used to characterize the morphology of the biocomposites.The results of SEM showed that there was less two-phase separation in the biocomposites by controling reaction conditions. It is suggested that the chemical reaction between phenolic resin and PS may be the main reason for the formation of the biocomposites..