Strongly Improved Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Biocomposites by PCL Grafting inside Holocellulose Wood Fibers

Natalia Herrera,Lars A Berglund,Peter Olsén

doi:10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c02512

Abstract

Chemical wood cellulose fiber modification is performed with the purpose to improve compatibility and induce nanofibrillation of the fibers during melt compounding of thermoplastic biocomposites. C...

Highlights

Melt-processable thermoplastic cellulose biocomposites are important in the search of more environmentally friendly materials[1,2] and are of particular interest for automotive and transport applications and in packaging, consumer goods, and furniture applications
The objective of the present study is to evaluate how two different ε-caprolactone grafting procedures influence grafting results and subsequent nanofibrillation effects during melt compounding of PCL/cellulose biocomposites intended for large-scale industrial use
Wood-based holocellulose (HC) fibers are grafted with PCL using three different monomer concentrations, with the purpose to (a) improve the compatibility between the hydrophobic PCL and the hydrophilic HC fibers and (b) induce nanofibrillation during melt compounding

Summary

Introduction

Melt-processable thermoplastic cellulose biocomposites are important in the search of more environmentally friendly materials[1,2] and are of particular interest for automotive and transport applications and in packaging, consumer goods, and furniture applications. Poly(caprolactone) PCL is biodegradable in seawater,[3] which is important in the context of eco-friendly materials. One of the challenges in using cellulose fibers as reinforcement in biodegradable polymers such as poly(lactic acid) and PCL is the incompatibility between hydrophobic polymer matrices and the hydrophilic cellulose. This results in a weak interface and in poor dispersion of the cellulose reinforcement in the matrix, and the challenge is magnified when nanocellulose is used.[4]. Nanocomposites have great potential for improved mechanical properties compared with microscale diameter reinforcement composites.[4,5] if nanofibers are not well dispersed at nanoscale, strength reinforcement effects will be compromised

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