Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of styrene-assisted maleic anhydride-grafted poly(lactic acid) (PLA-g-St/MAH) on the interfacial properties of wood flour/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) bio-composites. PLA-g-St/MAH was synthesized by free-radical melt grafting using styrene as a comonomer and dicumyl peroxide as an initiator. The structure of PLA-g-St/MAH was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Wood flour/PLA composites were prepared by compression molding using PLA-g-St/MAH as a compatibilizer. The effects of PLA-g-St/MAH on the rheological and mechanical properties, as well as on the fractured surface morphology of the composites were investigated. Results indicated that storage modulus, complex viscosity, equilibrium torque, and shear heat were significantly increased. The mechanical properties of the wood flour/PLA composites were also significantly increased after the addition of PLA-g-St/MAH. The maximum values were achieved at the loading rate of 3 wt % because of the improved interfacial adhesion between the wood flour and the PLA matrix.
Highlights
Wood plastic composite (WPC), an environmentally friendly material, has drawn increasing interest in recent years, owing to the distinct combination of high strength and elasticity derived from wood fiber or natural fibers, as well as durability and fatigue resistance derived from its polymer matrix [1,2,3]
With growing awareness of the global environmental energy crisis and resource constraints, extensive research has been conducted into the use of bio-based and biodegradable plastics, such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA) [5,6], poly(butylene succinate) [7], and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) [8], in WPC to replace non-degradable plastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene, which are derived from petroleum resources
PLA-g-St/maleic anhydride (MAH) was used as an efficient compatibilizer for wood flour/PLA bio-composites
Summary
Wood plastic composite (WPC), an environmentally friendly material, has drawn increasing interest in recent years, owing to the distinct combination of high strength and elasticity derived from wood fiber or natural fibers, as well as durability and fatigue resistance derived from its polymer matrix [1,2,3]. With growing awareness of the global environmental energy crisis and resource constraints, extensive research has been conducted into the use of bio-based and biodegradable plastics, such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA) [5,6], poly(butylene succinate) [7], and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) [8], in WPC to replace non-degradable plastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene, which are derived from petroleum resources. PLA is a non-toxic and biodegradable bio-based thermoplastic polyester with numerous desirable properties, such as high strength and high stiffness [11,12]. It is a polyester resulting from the polymerization of lactic acid, a bio-based monomer produced by the fermentation of biomass feedstocks. Extensive application of PLA has not yet been achieved because of certain
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