International audienceThe aim of this study was to develop cellulose nanofiber (CNF) reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) by twin screw extrusion. Nanocomposites were prepared by premixing a master batch with high concentration of CNFs in PLA and diluting to final concentrations (1, 3, 5 wt%) during the extrusion. Morphology, mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties (DMA) were studied theoretically and experimentally to see how different CNF concentrations affected the composites' properties. The tensile modulus and strength increased from 2.9 GPa to 3.6 GPa and from 58 MPa to 71 MPa, respectively, for nanocomposites with 5 wt% CNF. The DMA results were also positive; the storage modulus increased for all nanocomposites compared to PLA; being more significant in the high temperature region (70°C). The addition of nanofibers shifted the tan delta peak towards higher temperatures. The tan delta peak of the PLA shifted from 70°C to 76°C for composites with 5 wt% CNF

The aim of this study was to develop cellulose nanofibers with hydrophobic surface characteristics using chemical modification. Kenaf fibers were modified using acetic anhydride and cellulose nanofibers were isolated from the acetylated kenaf using mechanical isolation methods. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated acetylation of the hydroxyl groups of cellulose. The study of the dispersion demonstrated that acetylated cellulose nanofibers formed stable, well-dispersed suspensions in both acetone and ethanol. The contact angle measurements showed that the surface characteristics of nanofibers were changed from hydrophilic to more hydrophobic when acetylated. The microscopy study showed that the acetylation caused a swelling of the kenaf fiber cell wall and that the diameters of isolated nanofibers were between 5 and 50 nm. X-ray analysis showed that the acetylation process reduced the crystallinity of the fibers, whereas mechanical isolation increased it. The method used provides a novel processing route for producing cellulose nanofibers with hydrophobic surfaces.

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Acacia mangium is a fast-growing dicotyledonous tree species and has become the dominating plantation in Malaysia. It was grown particularly as a raw material for veneer, pulp, and paper industries. The chemical properties test in this study showed that the A. mangium tree bark contains higher extractive content as compared to the wood portion (sapwood). Tannin extracts from A. mangium tree bark were found to be rich in phenolic compounds and had the potential to replace conventional phenol-formaldehyde (PF) adhesive used in the plywood manufacturing industry. Tannin adhesive (tannin-paraformaldehyde) prepared from A. mangium bark tannin by cross-linking with paraformaldehyde were used for bonding of Mempisang (Annonaceae spp.) plywood board. However, the resulting bonding strength using tannin adhesive was found to be only suitable for interior grade application. Further extension of its application for interior and exterior grade plywood could be achieved with addition of PF (co-polymerization with resol) during the production process. The optimized formulation of tannin adhesive consists of A. mangium solid extracts (90 parts), commercial PF (10 parts), and paraformaldehyde (3%). Results have shown that the plywood shear strength complies with the requirement for European norms EN 314-1 and EN 314-2:1993, which includes the dry test, cold water test, and the boiling test.