The effects of the filler content and the coupling agent 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (3-APE) on the mechanical properties, thermal properties, and morphologies of polylactic acid (PLA)/coconut shell powder (CSP) biocomposites were investigated. It was found that increasing the CSP content decreased the tensile strengths and elongations at break of the PLA/CSP biocomposites. However, incorporating CSP increased their modulus of elasticity. The tensile strengths and modulus of elasticity of the PLA/ CSP biocomposites were enhanced by the presence of 3-APE, which can be attributed to a stronger filler-matrix interaction. The thermal stabilities of the biocomposites increased with the filler content, and they were enhanced by 3-APE treatment. Meanwhile, the presence of CSP increased the glass transition temperatures (T g ) and crystallinities (X c ) of the PLA/CSP biocomposites at a filler content of 30 php. After 3-APE treatment, T g and X c of the PLA/ CSP biocomposites increased due to enhanced interfacial bonding. The presence of a peak crystallization temperature (T c ) for the PLA/CSP biocomposites indicated that the CSP has a nucleating effect. The melting temperatures (T m ) and the T c values of the biocomposites were not significantly affected by the filler content and 3-APE. PLA/CSP biocomposites that had been treated with 3-APE presented the strongest filler-matrix interaction, as confirmed by SEM.

Ecocomposites were produced by incorporating coconut shell powder (CSP) into polylactic acid (PLA) resin. The effect of filler content and chemical modification on the mechanical properties, thermal properties, and morphology of PLA/CSP ecocomposites were investigated. The addition of filler has decreased the tensile strength and elongation at break of PLA/CSP ecocomposites. However, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of PLA/CSP ecocomposites were enhanced by maleic acid treatment. Meanwhile, glass transition temperature (Tg) and crystallinity (Xc) of PLA/CSP ecocomposites increased at 30 php of filler content and increased the presence of maleic acid (MA). However, the melting temperature (Tm) and crystallization temperature (Tc) were not significantly changed with the filler content and MA modification The thermal stability of PLA/CSP ecocomposites increased with the CSP content. The MA modification improved the thermal stability of PLA/CSP ecocomposites through better filler–matrix interaction. The improvement was confirmed by scanning electron microscope study. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers

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The aim of the research was to utilize cocoa pod husk (CPH) in polypropylene (PP) biocomposites. Maleated polypropylene (MAPP) was used as coupling agent to improve the properties of PP/CPH biocomposites. The addition of MAPP had increased the stabilization torque of PP/CPH biocomposites. The tensile strength and modulus of PP/CPH with MAPP were higher compared to PP/CPH biocomposites without MAPP, except the elongation at break decreased. The crystallinity and thermal stability of PP/ CPH biocomposites with MAPP increased. These improvements were due to the enhanced interfacial bonding between CPH and PP matrix, which were proved by SEM analysis.

Cocoa pod husk (CPH)-filled polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared via melt compounding. The effect of filler content and chemical treatment using 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on properties of composites were investigated. The results indicated that the treated composites with MPS and SDS improved the tensile strength, tensile modulus, thermal stability, stabilization torque, water resistivity, and crystallinity of composites. The treated composites with SDS show better tensile properties and water resistivity than composites treated with MPS. Scanning electron microscopic results show that the interfacial bonding between CPH and PP matrix improved with the presence of MPS or SDS.